BIG 5 EXERCISE
Do the following bullet points show a positive or
negative correlation with one of the following:
Neuroticism
Extraversion
Openness
Agreeableness
Conscientiousness
Ever had a vacation to another country?
Ever dated a person of a different race or nationality?
Ever kept a personal journal or diary of your life and feelings?”
Ever read 12 or more books in one year, not counting those for school
assignments?”
Ever marched or protested against an injustice?
Ever fell in love at first sight?
Ever thrown a party for 20 or more people?
Ever written a poem spontaneously (not for a class
assignment)?
Ever listened to music by yourself in the dark?
Ever had a girlfriend/boyfriend whose name you
have forgotten?
Ever pulled an all-nighter to complete an assignment?
SELF-ESTEEM EXERCISE
For each of the following statements, use the scale below to indicate your
agreement or disagreement.
1 = strongly disagree
2 = disagree
3 = agree
4 = strongly agree
1. I feel that I am a person of worth, at least on an equal basis with others.
2. I feel that I have a number of good qualities.
3. All in all, I am inclined to feel that I am a failure.
4. I am able to do things as well as most people.
5. I feel I do not have much to be proud of.
6. I take a positive attitude toward myself.
7. On the whole, I am satisfied with myself.
8. I wish I could have more respect for myself.
9. I certainly feel useless at times.
10. At times, I think I am no good at all.
SCORING
Reverse your answers for 3, 5, 8, 9, and 10.
Then add all of your numbers 1-10.
Scores will range from 10-40 with higher scores
representing higher feelings of self-worth.
“Satisficer” vs. Maximizer
Respond to each of the statements by using the following scale:
1 = completely disagree
2 = disagree
3 = disagree somewhat
4 = neither disagree nor agree
5 = agree somewhat
6 = agree
7 = completely agree
1. When I watch TV, I channel surf, often scanning through the available options even while attempting to watch one program.
2. When I am in the car listening to the radio, I often check other stations to see if something better is playing, even if I’m
relatively satisfied with what I’m listening to.
3. I treat relationships like clothing; I expect to try a lot on before I get the perfect fit.
4. No matter how satisfied I may be with my job, it would only be right for me to be on the lookout for better opportunities.
5. I often fantasize about living in ways that are quite different from my actual life.
6. I’m a big fan of lists that attempt to rank things (the best movies, the best singers, the best athletes, the best novels, etc.).
7. I often find it difficult to shop for a gift for a friend.
8. When shopping, I have a hard time finding clothing that I really love.
9. Renting movies is really difficult. I’m always struggling to pick the best one.
10. I find that writing is very difficult, even if it’s just writing an email to a friend, because it’s so hard to word things just right. I
often do several drafts of
even simple things.
11. No matter what I do, I have the highest standards for myself.
12. I never settle for second best.
13. Whenever I’m faced with a choice, I try to imagine what all the other possibilities are, even ones that aren’t present at the
moment.
1. When I watch TV, I channel surf, often scanning through the available options even while attempting to
watch one program.
2. When I am in the car listening to the radio, I often check other stations to see if something better is playing,
even if I’m
relatively satisfied with what I’m listening to.
3. I treat relationships like clothing; I expect to try a lot on before I get the perfect fit.
4. No matter how satisfied I may be with my job, it would only be right for me to be on the lookout for better
opportunities.
5. I often fantasize about living in ways that are quite different from my actual life.
6. I’m a big fan of lists that attempt to rank things (the best movies, the best singers, the best athletes, the best
novels, etc.).
7. I often find it difficult to shop for a gift for a friend.
8. When shopping, I have a hard time finding clothing that I really love.
9. Renting movies is really difficult. I’m always struggling to pick the best one.
10. I find that writing is very difficult, even if it’s just writing an email to a friend, because it’s so hard to word
things just right. I often do several drafts of
even simple things.
11. No matter what I do, I have the highest standards for myself.
12. I never settle for second best.
13. Whenever I’m faced with a choice, I try to imagine what all the other possibilities are, even ones that aren’t
present at the moment.
Some Explanation
• This test arose as a response to the notion
that “an access to freedom” in today’s
Western Cultures has contributed to
decreasing life satisfaction.
• The person that came up with the test stated
that the way people make choices affects their
sense of well-being.
Some Questions
• Considering life’s many choices—from
selection of toothpaste to that of college and
university—some of us ask “is this alternative
acceptable?” Others wonder “is this the
best?”
• Satisficers set “good enough” as their criterion
for outcomes.
• For Maximizers, outcomes must be optimal.
Scoring
• Add the numbers you pick as your answers.
Total scores range from 13-91 with higher
scores reflecting a tendency to be a maximizer,
trying to get the very best or absolute most
out of every situation. For adults the mean
score is around 50.
In some cases, maximizing is the better strategy for making decisions. For example, in
responding to a serious health threat, seeking and settling only for the best
treatment increases your chances of survival. Maxi mizers plan more carefully in solving problems, and their high standards may spur
them on to greater achievement.
However, maximization can come at a significant cost to well-being. In several samples
of adults, the researchers found that maximization was negatively related to
happiness, life satisfaction, optimism, and self-esteem. It seems that the tendency to
want to maximize outcomes is highly correlated with potential regret over choices that
have been made. Maximizers seem especially susceptible to social comparison and
adaptation that can drain joy from life. Maximizers also tend to keep their options
open, which lowers life satisfaction.