1. How Daring Are You?
Do you consider yourself adventurous? Studies show that people are not pure daredevils, but do have many characteristics of taking risks. People like Robby “Evil” Kneivel, the stunt motorcyclist and Mario Andretti, a speed car racer, do have many of those traits.
Psychologists H.J. Eysenck and S.G. Eysenck found that “daredevils” are more extroverted and impulsive on average. They also found that 50% to 67% of our risky behavior is inherited.
Test: The following quiz lists items similar to those the Eysencks’ studied. Circled “True” or “False” to the items below to see how daring you are.
1. When shopping, I usually stick to brand names I know well.
True False
2. It upsets me when one of my friends is upset.
True False
3. Unhappy people who feel sorry for themselves irritate me.
True False
4. It is silly for people to cry when they are happy.
True False
5. Many animal lovers are too concerned about the comfort and feelings of animals.
True False
6. I feel better after having a few cocktails.
True False
7. I would probably feel sympathetic to a stranger in a group.
True False
8. Public displays of affection annoy me somewhat.
True False
9. I would prefer a job that required travel and change to one that kept me home most of the time.
True False
10. I save money on a regular basis.
True False
Scoring: Add up your score. Give yourself 1 point for each response that matches yours.
Are You Ready to See How you Did?
(The instructor will show on the Power Point the scores)
Explanation of the Test
l Men tend to be more adventure-seeking than women.
l Daring people want change in their everyday lives.
l Boredom for adventurous person is a frequent problem.
l Adventurous people don’t like public displays of affection.
l They don’t like open expression of feelings by others.
l Daring people are impatient and seek novel things to do.
l Surprising, activities like mountain climbing and sky diving seem unexciting to daring people.
The Group Factor
l How bold we are can change with our social surroundings. Studies call this the “risky shift.” It happens when other members encourage each other’s daring behavior than when they are alone.
l When committees for to decide an issue, members may take an extreme opinion because they are protected by the other members. I.L. Janis, a social psychologist calls this “groupthink”. In his book, Victims of Group Think, explains this effect the U.S. for invading Cambodia during the Vietnam War.
l Biologists call extreme adventure seekers as “*adrenaline junkies,” because they need to keep a high adrenaline level to feel happy. Because we are influenced by our family, they are a huge part in how daring a person is. Studies show that parents who provide *stimulating environments for the kids are likely to be adventurous when they grow up. But it’s touch to know if genetics or parents are a bigger influence.
Discussion:
Did you come from an exciting home?
Do you give your children a lot of stimulation?
Are you influenced by the group?
Did the test reveal if you are a daredevil?
2. Are You Moody?
Before we read, circle who you believe best describes your mood right now:
Gloomy Neutral Happy
We all experience mood swings. Dr. Oliver, at St. Louis University, found that 7%-10% of college students have depression at some point. This is equal to other university studies as well.
Some experts think this is from hormones and not related to our environment. But to say we are controlled by our hormones is to say our social culture doesn’t matter. However, it is people who influence our moods and caring people help us restore our normal emotions.
Test: Try this test below. Circle all the words that describe your feelings RIGHT NOW.
Column1 Column2 Column3 Column4
Humorous Fine Mad Frustrated
Calm On Top Old Tormented
Alive Lucky Tired Unlucky
Friendly Together Restless Angry
Content Attractive Meek Offended
Happy Secure Blue Put Down
Stable Amused Weak Guilty
Rested Brave Lost Irritated
Peaceful Hopeful Shy Unsociable
Strong Adaptable Sensitive Jumpy
Confident Clearheaded Cynical Distractible
Joyful Capable Dull Careless
Are You Ready to See How you Did?
(Look at the Power Point to see how to add up your answers.)
l A score of 6 or more: Your current mood is highly tranquil and contented.
l A score of 3-5: You are in an average mood; fairly neutral.
l A score of 2 to -2: Your mood is “borderline”. You might go up or down in any situation.
l A score of -5 to -3: You are in a low mood. You need a few good times to make you happier.
l A score of -6 or lower: You’re suffering from a strongly low mood. Don’t make any important decisions right now.
l People usually vary in their mood awareness.
l Those who can understand their mood at any time are more able to change it for the better.
l Those who frequently change their moods are more emotionally unstable.
l On average, we go through mood cycles that last between 3 to 9 weeks.
l This can vary with the day of the week, the hour of the day, or the seasons.
l We usually feel “UP” on Friday and “DOWN” on Monday because of work or school.
l Students feel lower during the first and last hours of the day.
3. Are you TOO busy?
The value of time is different in the world. The culture we live in shapes our attitude about time. Many tropical nations have a slower daily rhythm. Nations in northern countries tend to move at a faster pace.
In his work at California State University in Fresno, psychology professor Robert Levine surveyed Japan, England, Italy, Indonesia, Taiwan, and the United States. He found that in many areas, Japan had the fastest pace of time. Indonesia had the most relaxed sense about timed activities.
Test: In western society we value promptness and are focused on time. Those who handle time efficiently tend to be more successful in life. What pace do you set yourself? This quiz will help understand your sense of time urgency.
1. It bothers me when I am late for an appointment.
a. Rarely b. Sometimes c. Often or very much
2. I am disoriented when I forget to wear my watch (or my cell phone).
a. Rarely b. Sometimes c. Often or very much
3. It is hard for me to let time go by and do absolutely nothing.
a. Rarely b. Sometimes c. Often or very much
4. It irritates me to be kept waiting.
a. Rarely b. Sometimes c. Often or very much
5. It’s upsetting to put off a task without finishing it.
a. Rarely b. Sometimes c. Often or very much
6. I make a list of things to do
a. Rarely b. Sometimes c. Often or very much
7. I am on time for appointments and meet deadlines and obligations that involve others.
a. Rarely b. Sometimes c. Often or very much
8. I enjoy doing many things within a short period of time.
a. Rarely b. Sometimes c. Often or very much
9. Whenever I have a few hours on my hands I think of how best to use them.
a. Rarely b. Sometimes c. Often or very much
10. If I expect a long wait, I bring something to work on.
a. Rarely b. Sometimes c. Often or very much
11. I like to arrange blocks of time for projects.
a. Rarely b. Sometimes c. Often or very much
12. I carry a pad to write down a “to-do” list.
a. Rarely b. Sometimes c. Often or very much
(Look at the Power Point for how to score your quiz)
l A score of 12-19 points- You are time carefree. You probably frustrate others with your lax attitude. Try to make and keep deadlines.
l A score of 20-29 points- You have a sensible attitude about time. You don’t get too nervous about how to organize things. Time doesn’t control you.
l A score of 30-36 points. You are on your way to become obsessed with time. Try to put things into perspective. Do the important things first. Learn how to organize your schedule.
l Culture is a factor, but most of the time it’s an individual matter.
l Our idea of time is generally slower than objective time.
l Society’s view, what we are doing at the time, the people we are with, and our over all mood effect if we are strict or lax.
l A few live in the past, some live in the present, and most live in the future.
l Teenagers tend to live in the here and now. As we get older, we become more future-oriented.
l People in the West have a notion of what is coming in the future. Savings and insurance is a big worry.
l Mismanagement is the biggest factor of most stress.
l How to Get Control of Your Time and Your Life suggests we prioritize the things we do to minimize the stress in our lives.
How do you plan to change your view of time?
Will you organize more? Will you write down what you want to do first and last to reduce your stress?
4. Fight or Flee?
Cavemen used to decide an argument by clubbing each other. As are communication ability increased, our need for fighting about everything has decreased. The skill or debate is very important. But still, some want to “flex their muscles” to solve problems.
A typical scene- you have a “hot-head” who likes to fight who likes to make controversy for no reason. After you notice you have started to argue with him, you start to wonder “How do I get out of this sticky situation?”
Do you easily find a way to fight? Are you always looking for a way to leave quickly?
Test: This quiz measures how easily we like to fight. This comes from psychiatrists D.A. Infante and A.S. Rancer at Kent State University. Circle “True’ or “False”.
1. Arguing calmly over controversial issues makes you a better at logic.
True False
2. When I argue I am usually concerned about whether my opponent will think I’m too dogmatic.
True False
3. I feel a sense or energy and enthusiasm when I confront someone.
True False
4. It makes me nervous to argue with someone.
True False
5. I enjoy using a good argument to put strongly self-assured people in their place.
True False
6. I generally lose more fights than I win.
True False
7. I find people who always agree with others to be somewhat dull.
True False
8. I get nervous around argumentative people
True False
9. I don’t have much respect for a person who won’t fight for what he believes in.
True False
10. When others are in a ruckus*, I often play the role of peace-maker.
True False
11. I feel compelled to speak up for a point that I feel is valid.
True False
12. I prefer being with people who don’t disagree with me.
True False
(Look at the Power Point to add up your answers)
l A score of 0-4: You’re a peace loving person. Other people’s strong emotions often upset you. You should try speaking out more.
l A score of 5-7: You don’t mind conflicts once in a while. For the most part you know when to stop before it gets too serious.
l A score of 8-12: You are highly argumentative; a tiger in the grass. Your biggest problem is trying to win every argument. Learn to listen before jumping into your next argument. You could get a black eye.
Research shows that there are generally 2 types of arguers; those who look for battle (“hawks”) and those who avoid it (“doves”).
Hawks generally answer “True” to odd questions; Doves answer “True” to even questions.
l Are you a hawk or dove? What about your friends? Co-workers?
5. Are You the Jealous Type?
When Cupid’s arrow hits, it often brings with it some trouble-JEALOUSLY. That deep dark feeling is often seen in movies, poems, and novels. Jealously using appears to us are the middle of age 2 and stays with us forever.
Here are some facts on the subject:
l Jealously is more common among 1st born children. They show it more intensely than others.
l It’s more frequent in smaller families (less than 3 children).
l It’s more likely to happen in girls than boys. It’s stronger between sisters.
l It’s more prevalent in some cultures than others.
Jealously does exist in greater degrees in some societies. A group of people (Toda) in India aren’t very possessive people. The Apache Indians in N. America are extremely jealous of their wife and children.
Test: Each situation involves a couple living together. Try to imagine yourself and someone you love in each one. Rate how upset, disturbed, or annoyed you might feel.
1. You’re at a party around many attractive people, and you haven’t seen your partner for over an hour.
a. not upset b. a little upset c. moderately upset
d. very upset e. extremely upset
2. An unmarried ex-girl (boy) friend calls your partner and would like to meet him/her one evening for dinner.