NEO Personality Inventory

1970 Costa and McCrae; Neo Personality Inventory

Neuroticism is a fundamental personality trait in the study of psychology. It can be defined as an enduring tendency to experience negative emotional states. Individuals who score high on neuroticism are more likely than the average to experience such feelings as anxiety, anger, guilt, and clinical depression.[1] They respond more poorly to environmental stress, and are more likely to interpret ordinary situations as threatening, and minor frustrations as hopelessly difficult.

Extraversion:The trait of extraversion-introversion is a central dimension of human personality. Extraverts (also spelled extroverts are gregarious, assertive, and generally seek out excitement. Introverts, in contrast, are more reserved, less outgoing, and less sociable. They are not necessarily asocial, but they tend to have smaller circles of friends, and are less likely to thrive on making new social contacts.

Openess to Experiences: Openness involves active imagination, aesthetic sensitivity, attentiveness to inner feelings, preference for variety, and intellectual curiosity.

Agreeableness: Tendency to be pleasurable accomodating is social situations.People who score high on this dimension are empathetic, considerate, friendly, generous, and helpful. They also have an optimistic view of human nature. They tend to believe that most people are honest, decent, and trustworthy. People that are concerned about others tend to cooperate with them and help them out. People on low agreeableness tend to manipulate their relationships and are less cooperative.

Conscientiousness is the trait of being painstaking and careful, or the quality of acting according to the dictates of one's conscience. It includes such elements as self-discipline, carefulness, thoroughness, organization, deliberation (the tendency to think carefully before acting), and need for achievement. It is an aspect of what was traditionally called character. Conscientious individuals are generally hard working and reliable.

I would really like to know how I might score on these traits. I can definitly see that I would score higher on Neroticism trait, high on introversion, moderate on openess to experiences, low on agreeableness, high on conscientiousness.

Results of Factor Cattel's Test

Cattell's 16 Factor Test Results Warmth 46% Intellect 82% Emotional Stability 46% Aggressiveness 78% Liveliness 62% Dutifulness 34% Social Assertiveness 34% Sensitivity 74% Paranoia 62% Abstractness 18% Introversion 70% Anxiety 54% Openmindedness 34% Independence 78% Perfectionism 78% Tension 50%

Take Cattell 16 Factor Test (similar to 16pf)
personality tests by similarminds.com

Self Concept

I'm reading about how people are driven by their self concept. That there is a theory that people's behavior is the interaction between someones self concept, and the social environment surrounding them. Youth especially are influenced in their decision making by their social environment. I am thinking about my own life. I see this true in the youth I serve. They are so easily influenced by their environment, peers, and culture. I am concerned about this though, what kind of life is their social environment preparing them for in the future?

Every day I drive home and pass a sign that says " Only accept a Bottom that You can be proud of" or something like that. It's actually a Guitar shop sign, and the message is somewhat like these words. It reminds me each day, that I am working towards something, and that going to work serves a purpose. There may be day's that I am tired to come home from, but I always remind myself that it is a step along the path I follow.

Part of my self concept is being persistent, and having endurance and to have faith in something that is greater then me guiding me home. I feel the very presence of a GoD in my life, if the presence that I sense can be called God. It's like a light, and I always feel Blessed, regardless of the shortcomings in my day. This strength is what gives me the courage to face a new day.

Today

The best thing about my day is being able to listen to good music. I worked today, and the youth weren't so bad actually. Listening to DJ Bettlejuice Progressive Trance just completes my world. There isn't anything more that I would prefer doing. I purchased some Christmas cards that I can put in mailboxes for people at work. I figure it would be the best way to get people to know that I exist, outside of a work meeting. I really can't stand parties, they are so awkward, especially work ones, especially having to go back to work afterwards. Parties for me are drinking wild parties, or you just don't have them. I would just go for the bonus.. I also purchased some zippers, and browsing through some fabric ideas. I want to make some new bags, when I get into the sewing mood again I'll be prepared. Meanwhile I have a test next week to prepare for. Work is bright and early tomorrow morning, so goodnight.

Update

I've been taking a Introduction to Psychological Testing class. I am almost completed with it. I am glad due to feeling some need to just take a break. I completed an interview with a DR for the class and felt very connected to the experience. I was pleased to meet someone so advanced in the field, and on a similar path. I am however no enthusiastic with my current work, but it provides me the basic necessities of life a paycheck. I really don't see any opportunities with advancement, which irritates me, and leads me to feel that I am wasting my time there. At the same time I sense that it is only one step on my path, and my endurance will be rewarded in the future. I feel that each place I am now is a step on some path, where I go is only forward. I can't let some place or person hold me back, or keep me in a place that isn't meant for me. I have been thinking of doing volunteer work with CASA which I might see if I can do my practicum there. I would like the opportunity to meet other people and get additional experience. I don't want to limit my references to one place, when they don't interact with me on a frequent basis. There are benefits of where I work, but there are also some things that I would like to change. I work at my job, but it's really not the best place for me. I have learned to adapt to the environment, but it's been challenging. For one, I am quite disappointed with the delinquent youth of today. They are quite disappointing, and the program that I work in isn't really doing them any good. The problem is, with my employer is that they think that they really are "helping" there youth.Really we try and have good intentions, but I see more that they are in this business for themselves, and their job security. They are most concerned about keeping their jobs, and the benefits. They aren't that bad, in fact I am quite satisfied with the benefits of working with a non profit agency. However, it's too laid back where I'm at. These youth really don't want to be there for one, which makes it difficult to change someone who's so resistant to change in the first place. I really would like to get involved maybe with a wilderness program, or some program that has greater success with youth. Maybe I really don''t care to work with youth. Honestly, I really don't care to work with them. They are going to live their lives, and do what they want to do anyway. Maybe I would like to get into group work with pain clients. Just because I have experience with a spouse with RSD. I think I want to work with people that have some intelligence and are are able to make cognitive decisions about lives. Maybe I really don't care about people with problems? Isn't that pretty bad to say after all this work in Psychology and schooling. I don't think so. I realize that I love Psychology and my education so much that I'm not going to let the fact that I don't like my job change that. I lead myself to believe that someday I might come across a job that I can be effective in and really enjoy working with the people that I work with. I do not enjoy where I currently work, which is why I constantly question my direction. Again, I should be questioning my job. And I do, but I am not rushed sine I am thankful that I do have a job in these distressing economic times. Our country has failed us in many ways, with health care, and debt. I keep racking up my debt because, I figure that no one else is going to pay for my education but me, and they are going to keep giving me this line of credit to hang myself with. At least I'm going to continue to live my life this way because it is the only way I feel comfortable doing. Perhaps, in the end I'll get a job that will pay me to do something valuable, and I enjoy. If I can't find it in the world that is available now, then I've decided that I will go into soap making, after I graduate. I really haven't a clue how I will come up with the funds, but I always have faith. Faith is never ending, and always comes through just when needed. I would like to have my own business in this lifetime. Also, I've finally decided to move to Washington. This decision I struggled with for various reasons, and I am no longer struggling due to making a decision. I will complete school here,, and after I graduate I will move the family there. I can't wait. I feel thrilled.

Group Therapy and Process

Today'c class Group Therapy class went much better then the others in the past. We only meet once per week which is nice but it takes time to progress and for topics to become meaningful. There was a presentation to day, and several discusions. I felt that the trust level between the class members is developing, and I feel much more comfortable with the class. The others have been in the class since last semester, since I came this year, and they have had the chance to meet before. Today's topic that stands out in my mind is talk about reality theory, which I knew was be Glasser and he later in life wrote Choice Theory, one of my favorite books. What we discussed was knowing what is right for you , and choosing to do this regardless of what anyone else thinks. Each person at a given time is making choices, and they are right for them at that time. Ultimately we want to make choices that result in positive experiences and do things that are rewarding. So, there are feelings that come when we seek to maintain or avoid. Doing things that are wrong bring negative feelings, resentment, and we seek to avoid these feelings. It is possible for people to continue do things that are not good for themselves, because of the positive reforcement, such as drug use. The behavior recieves positive reinforcement, even if it's not good for the person. I thought back on how I had to make some choices between going to school and sewing, which I hoped to be a full time suscessful career, but I wan't getting the suscess that I was looking to support my family. So, I am here now back in school again, which I believe that earning a masters degree will give me the opportunity to apply for those jobs that I would not be eligible to apply for without it. Mental health is always important, and it is currently one of the rising careers. There will always be a demand for this type of job. I have some thoughts about my student debt that I keep acquiring, but not too many. I believe that it will all work out for the best. I'll have the job to pay back the loans. This is just where faith kicks in.