Psychology Quiz

So, I have been reading a lot on the history of modern psychology and how "Third-Wave" psychology is challenging cognitive therapy (Second-Wave, Dr. Phil stuff.) So, I made this quiz based on my inelegant, non-professional understanding.

Also, for the sake of variety, I finally took a completely serious approach to a quiz I post here:

First-Wave Therapy – Freud, Jung and stuff

What is or was the most attractive thing about your mom?
My mom had a thing about books and music, and she instilled that in me.

What is or was the most attractive thing about your dad?
My dad never had trouble making friends; he was a character and would use that to his advantage to draw people to him. He could talk to anyone, and generally almost everyone would like him on first contact. (It was only after people really got to know him, he made enemies.)

When were you most angry at your mom?
Well, she died when I was seven. But I do remember being mad at her once and trying to “leg up” onto the kitchen counter and hitting my head on the cabinets above causing a copious amount of blood. She panicked because she thought I’d grabbed a knife and, in my six-year-old anger, stabbed myself in the head. I forget, though, what specifically I was mad at her for. If she had lived longer, I'm sure I'd have some doozies.

When were you most angry at your dad?
My dad had several faults – alcoholism, nicotine-addiction, licentiousness, infidelity, a fear of being alone that led him to marry my stepmom, stubborn anger at being proven wrong, and the willingness to sell his kids and family down the river for anything and everything that primarily benefited him alone. That about covers it.

Self-stimulation behavior is physical action (often subconscious) that almost everyone does – things like twirling your hair, rocking back and forth, or putting things in your mouth. Which one(s) of these do you do?
I do a couple of these. Sometimes, I chew on things without being conscious of it. The other is, for the longest time, I used to sort of rock myself to sleep, like David Sedaris. I quit in college, because the rocking bed was just way too difficult to explain to college roommates.

Is there anything you obsess over?
Making sure I feel secure at all times (that's why i worry about money, and that's why I sorta hate driving), and I also obsess over my writing.

How much of a “neat-nik” or slob are you?
I’m probably a slight bit more of a slob, but not nearly as bad as many many many other people I know, who are just downright disgusting!

Any recent dreams you want to tell us about?
I had a dream the other night that lived in a house shaped like a snake – with “scale” windows you could see out of, but that no one could see in. That seems pretty Freudian.

When was the last time you felt your life was in danger?
Hurricane Charley. Or maybe every day on I-4.

How would you make your life more secure?
Save up lots of money. I'm sure I could never save enough to make me feel completely secure, though.

What sort of group or clique do you currently belong to?
Well, there’s the gay thing, and there’s the theatre thing.

What is unique about you?
I don’t self-filter a lot. I find that I feel more edgy and creative and alive when I don’t judge things or “edit” things for content before I say them – much to the chagrin of others.

If you could go down in history for anything, what would it be?
Famous playwright. Serious, in the Steve Miller’s Delusions of Grandeur area, I would love to prove that Shakespeare isn’t the last truly timeless playwright humanity can produce. But that’s being so grossly egotistic that I never let that simply shape what I write about.


Second-Wave Theory – Cognitive Theory, Bob Newhart Weeps for Me

How are you feeling today?
A little sleepy – I had some trouble maintaining sleep again last night.

How true is this statement: The way I see the world is pretty much the way the world is?
That is totally false; I always operate under the guideline that the way I personally see the world is likely complete bullshit. It helps me maintain perspective for writing plays. It’s always healthier to believe in the possibility of absolutely everything than it is to believe in the probability of nothing.

How true is this statement: Others who don’t see things as I do are at least somewhat skewed or deluded?
See above – I do run into the occasional person I think is full of crap, though. And I am genetically predisposed to being opinionated, so I fight this A LOT every single day of my life!

Where is your perception of “reality” most likely skewed or downright wrong?
That I am one small step from being a homeless person living in the gutter.

In a disagreement, are you more likely to argue it out or are you more likely to withdraw?
Oh, I fight. Like a brain-addled, rabid, badger, I fight…

When you are criticized, which are you most likely to do?
a. Justify your actions to the person attacking you
b. Immediately assess whether this person has any right or expertise that allows them to criticize you
c. Immediately assess whether this is a legitimate complaint or “some piddly thing you shouldn’t waste your time on”
d. Deny everything
e. Run away
f. Try to listen, concentrate on what they are saying and why they are saying it, ask lots of questions, and figure out what to do with the information later
I would love to say I do “f” – I TRY to do “f” when I conscientiously think about it. My natural inclination is somewhere between “b” and “c”.

If you could change one thing about yourself immediately, what would it be?
I’d be all muscle-y and sexy.

OK, given you want to make this change, what is the first “baby step” you could do to get yourself there?
Eat better and exercise more – the problem is (getting into third-wave therapy here) neither of those options inspire me much. I don’t value these things. Exercise is a FUCKING CRASHING BORE! And eating healthy makes me feel a little depressed, actually. Oh, I know, I should find an exercise that “interests” me – okay, well, here they are – swimming, and no one wants to see me in a bathing suit, so there that goes. And competitive volleyball, and anyone who’s truly competitive doesn’t want a self-deluded hippo on their team. Any other suggestions?

How do you “punish” yourself when you feel you have done something wrong?
I pout, I whine, and I hole myself up. Also, sometimes I do without something I really want till I feel I deserve it.

How do you reward yourself?
I buy new music, I hang out with friends, I find weird new things to do that I’ve always wanted to do


Third-Wave Theory – Embracing your Pain, or Getting Over It Fer Fuck’s Sake!

What’s your favorite thing to do when you are feeling down?
I take long baths where I give myself a facial while I trim and clean my fingernails and toenails, I buy dark chocolate, and I read modern home magazines cover to cover. If it’s really bad, I wrap myself in a blanket, lie on the couch, and watch The Color Purple from beginning to end.

How do you “nest” (create a safe environment to veg in)?
A lot of the above. I also have several pillows on my bed I use for sleeping. I have this flannel robe I wear a lot. I check the fire alarm monthly. I am over-careful in the kitchen with hot or sharp objects. I have a bionic sense of smell that wakes me up to anything "foreign" or "threatening" - my house burnt down when I was 13, and if I hadn't been awake, half my family would have died, including me.

How do you unnecessarily take risks?
I walk around barefoot a lot more than I should. I travel (which always makes me a tiny bit nervous), and I even resolve to get myself “lsot” so I have to find my way back out. I’ll talk to ANYONE, even homeless people, or Hell’s Angels packing guns.

What’s causing you the most discomfort in your life?
Right now, not doing things that create a more comfortable life in the future. Like making sure I’m in good health, saving up loads of cash, and…instead of waiting on others, doing what I can to have my own space.

How could you change your life so that you don’t do away with the discomfort, but you make your life so the discomfort is more bearable?
OK, this is how this question should go. One is quit worrying about my health since there are no grave outward signs iI am in any sort of jeopardy (that, people, is a third-wave approach to this, I swear. Though a therapist would probably also suggest I get a THOROUGH physical before forming my previous judgment.) Two is to enjoy living with others where I don’t have to worry about the lawn or regular maintenance. (see, kids, third-wave isn’t always about change; it’s often about embracing and integrating your pain into your life in a more constructive way).

List five “immediate actions” you can take at any time that make you happy:
Long, hot bath
Write
Go to a movie/play/concert/art show
Sit around gabbing with friends
Ummm, that private thing that guys do…

How would you change your life so you could do more of these five things more often?
Well, actually, my job currently allows for a bit of writing. I could probably write more, though. Also, I could hire a cleaner and/or a gardener to help keep up my house so I don’t lose that time. Also, really, I need to have a neater, more considerate roommate so that I don’t always feel like my personal space is shrinking and shrinking to just my bedroom.

What are the five most important things or activities in yoru life (ie - friends, church, beating your children:)

1. My family of friends

2. Always improving as a writer

3. Constant learning

4. Being appreciated

5. Becoming more physycally and mentally connected to the good stuff in life.

If you could take one of those things and make it into your life goal, which would it be?
Duh, the playwrighting. I’d love to write plays and be an adjunct playwrighting professor at a really good, small liberal college.

What’s one “baby step” you could take now to make that happen?
Work on plays that will help me build a reputation so I can move in this direction with the right credentials.