The Complete Book of Intelligence Tests
Page 8
Provided you do not become naïve or complacent about life’s sometimes harsh realities, you will remain largely cheerful and to a great extent carefree, knowing that by adopting this attitude you can get the best out of life, just as long as you are prepared to accept the inevitable downs with the ups.
Total score 65-89
Life is to a great extent a roller coaster, it can be exciting and stimulating, there are high points and there are low points.
Like the majority of people, you cannot be described as either a pessimist or an optimist. Instead you are a realist, but you are hopeful that the high points in life exceed the low points, which they usually do, providing that we do not exaggerate the low points in our own mind, to the exclusion of the high points.
Although you do not appear to be a pessimist, perhaps one lesson to be learned from the eternal optimist is that pessimists, indeed people in general, always seem to worry too much. It is a fact worth bearing in mind that most of the things we worry about in life never happen anyway, so that in the majority of cases we are worrying unduly.
Total score less than 65
Although you might prefer to describe yourself as a realist, your score does suggest that you have a predominantly pessimistic outlook on life.
Unfortunately this does mean that you are probably perceived by others as a somewhat negative person, and that you frequently suffer from a degree of inner turmoil and loss of sleep.
This is possibly your own way of creating a defensive emotional shield against the consequences of what the future may have in store. Then, if the worst happens, you have prepared yourself for it, but if things turn out better than you anticipated you will feel good — until you start to prepare yourself for the next potential catastrophe.
In actual fact, such a pessimistic attitude does not make anything better or worse in the end, and in some cases causes worry that can lead to stress-related illness and make negative things happen which would not otherwise occur.
One strategy to counteract an overriding pessimistic attitude is not to make mountains out of molehills. Instead, try to concentrate on the positive aspects of life and put negative thoughts to the back of your mind.
Unfortunately this is not so easy to achieve, especially if it is not in your nature to do this, but it is worth the effort as you will then start to feel the benefits, both health-wise and by an improved outlook on life in general.
Test 5.4 Self-confidence
Answer each question or statement by choosing which one of the three alternative responses given is most applicable to you.
1. Do you usually feel good about yourself?a) Sometimes.
b) Yes, I generally do.
c) Not particularly.
2. Would you relish the opportunity to take part in a political debate on television?a) Not relish the opportunity; however, I may take part but would be quite nervous about it.
b) Yes, very much so.
c) No, the thought sounds rather scary.
3. How much do you feel in control of your own life?a) Only partly in control.
b) Very much.
c) Not very much.
4. Do you enjoy circulating and meeting new people at social gatherings?a) I don’t mind meeting new people but generally stay within my own circle of acquaintances.
b) Yes.
c) No, I prefer to stay within my own circle of acquaintances.
5. How often do you worry about living up to the standards of others?a) Occasionally.
b) Never.
c) More than occasionally.
6. Would you be afraid of standing up and making your point of view known at a public meeting?a) Not afraid, but somewhat nervous perhaps.
b) No.
c) Yes.
7. What is most likely to be your reaction if told there was to be a complete reorganisation at your place of work?a) Somewhat apprehensive.
b) If possible I would like to be involved in the reorganisation, and would tend to look on the positive side in case it presented me with a better career opportunity.
c) Quite alarmed, as such changes frequently lead to redundancies or adverse changes to job descriptions.
8. Are you able to bounce back quickly after serious adversity?a) Usually, although it depends to a great extent on how serious an adversity.
b) Yes, I find that I am usually able to bounce back quickly, even from serious adversity.
c) Not really, as it takes quite some time to bounce back from serious adversity.
9. Do you ever feel self-conscious in public places?a) Sometimes.
b) Never.
c) Often.
10. Do you believe it is fun sometimes to live dangerously?a) Perhaps just occasionally.
b) Yes.
c) No.
11. When you gamble, what are your expectations of winning?a) I am usually cautiously optimistic.
b) I am usually very optimistic.
c) I am usually not optimistic.
12. When you are having an argument do you always stick to your guns if you honestly believe that you are correct?a) Usually I stick to my guns, but may terminate the argument with a comment such as, ‘We will have to agree to differ’.
b) Yes, I relish a debate and would try even harder to get my point across.
c) Sometimes I have given up an argument and started to think that I might not be correct after all.
13. How often do you put yourself down?a) Occasionally.
b) Rarely or never.
c) More than occasionally.
14. Would you feel nervous about meeting someone very influential or famous?a) Somewhat nervous.
b) No, in fact I would relish the opportunity.
c) Very nervous.
15. How often do you feel sad or depressed about your personal circumstances?a) Occasionally.
b) Rarely or never.
c) More than occasionally.
16. What is your reaction if someone is being particularly unhelpful and negative?a) Persevere quietly with trying to make the person understand what you require.
b) Express your annoyance to them.
c) Accept the situation and keep your feelings to yourself.
17. How much confidence do you have in your own decisions?a) Fairly confident.
b) A great deal.
c) More hopeful than confident that I have made the right decision.
18. Are you backward at coming forward?a) Sometimes.
b) No.
c) Frequently.
19. Do you believe in the power of positive thinking?a) Maybe.
b) Yes.
c) It is not something I have ever thought about.
20. What are your views on selling yourself?a) Sometimes you have to sell yourself in order to achieve your ambitions.
b) It is very important to sell yourself well in order to succeed.
c) It is a necessary evil in today’s world that you have to sell yourself, but it is not something I am good at doing.
21. Does the prospect of making a speech in front of a large audience worry you?a) It would make me more nervous than worried.
b) I would be no more than slightly nervous.
c) Yes.
22. How often do you set yourself goals?a) Occasionally.
b) More than occasionally.
c) Rarely or never, as I believe in taking life as it comes.
23. Which of the following most reflects your attitude to change?a) Change is sometimes unavoidable.
b) I am not afraid of change.
c) I dislike change, as it is often change for the worst.
24. Which of the following most reflects your attitude to failure?a) Try, try and try again.
b) Failure is a learning experience.
c) Disappointment.
25. Do you believe that in life it is necessary to conform in order to be accepted?a) In certain circumstances it is necessary.
b) No.
c) Yes.
Assessment
Award yourself 2 po
ints for every (b) answer, 1 point for every (a) and 0 points for every (c).
40 - 50 points
High self-confidence factor.
Keywords: presumptuous, extrovert, sure.
25-39 points
Average self-confidence factor.
Keywords: secure, positive, sensible.
Less than 25 points
Below average self-confidence factor.
Keywords: diffident, pessimistic, modest, introverted.
Analysis
A definition of ‘self-confidence’ is assuredness and self-reliance in one’s own abilities.
In order to achieve self-confidence, it is necessary that we take a realistic view of ourselves. As a result of this, some individuals will have total confidence in a certain aspect of their lives, such as sporting prowess, but other aspects in which they do not feel so confident, such as academic achievement. Self-confidence need not, therefore, apply to all respects of a person’s lifestyle.
Being self-confident does not, therefore, mean being able to do everything. It does mean, however, that when sometimes their aspirations are not fulfilled, self-confident people continue to adopt a positive attitude, make the best of their situation and keep a sense of reality.
By adopting this attitude, self-confident people have the ability, to a great extent, to take control of their own lives, accept themselves for what they are and stand up for their own rights and aspirations in today’s sometimes intimidating world, but at the same time keep these aspirations realistic.
Self-confident people very rarely feel unsure of themselves, and preoccupied with negative self thoughts, or put themselves down. Because of this they are rarely sad, depressed or lonely.
At the same time, because they do not feel the need to conform in order to be accepted, self-confident people are not excessively dependent on others to feel good about themselves. They are willing to risk the disapproval of others because of the confidence they possess.
The following are some strategies that can be adopted, and worked at, for developing a greater degree of self-confidence:• Learn to self-evaluate and take charge of your own life. Do not focus too much on the unrealistic aspirations or standards of others such as parents. Instead, focus on how you feel about yourself, your lifestyle and your own aspirations.
• Evaluate and emphasise your strengths by focusing on your achievements and the talents you possess.
• Even if you fail, give yourself credit for trying. View any failure as a learning experience and as a way of achieving personal growth. Give yourself credit for everything you try to achieve.
• Do not be afraid of taking calculated risks. Regard risk taking as a chance to grasp new opportunities.
• Never be afraid of change. It is inevitable, so welcome and embrace it.
• There is no such thing as perfection, so accept yourself for what you are. At the same time, balance this with the need to improve.
• Never try to please everyone at the same time. It simply is not possible.
Test 5.5 Tough or tender
In each of the following choose from a scale of 1 — 5 which of these statements you most agree with or is most applicable to yourself. Choose just one of the numbers 1 — 5 in each of the 25 statements. Choose 5 for most agree=most applicable, down to 1 for least agree=least applicable.
Assessment
Total score 90 - 125
Your score indicates that you are a very caring person who is deeply touched by the feelings of others and often affected and saddened by news bulletins or personal experiences about the plight of others who are suffering misfortunes and tragedy.
It may also mean that you are extremely tactful and diplomatic, always making sure you go to great lengths not to hurt other people’s feelings. As such you are a kind-hearted and caring person who will go out of their way to help others. This does mean that you are liked and respected by those who know you.
It does, however, also mean that you may possibly lack the inner toughness and drive that is sometimes necessary to achieve a high degree of success.
It may also mean that occasionally you could be taken advantage of, especially if you find it very difficult, and sometimes impossible, to say no.
Keywords: caring, sharing, soft-hearted, idealistic, romantic.
Total score 65 - 89
You appear to be a generally tender-hearted person who would never wish to hurt other people’s feelings deliberately.
It may be, however, that there is the need to peel off one or two layers before this soft centre is revealed.
The advantage of this is that you are still tough enough to pursue your ambitions and goals while retaining the loving and caring side of your personality.
In your dealings with other people you can be tactful, but occasionally are unable to stop yourself from speaking a few home truths or saying things you might regret later.
You are, however, in the fortunate position of usually knowing when, and when not, things are better left unsaid, and usually your good judgement in this respect will prove beneficial to the person to whom you are directing your remarks.
Keywords: empathetic, concerned, considerate.
Total score less than 65
While your score does indicate a high degree of toughness, it may be that deep beneath this apparent hard exterior there lies something of a soft centre. With some people their apparently hard exterior is, in fact, something of an act as they do not wish to be perceived as being soft or displaying weakness.
Also, although you do not come over as a romantic or sentimentalist, this does not stop you from having a long and lasting relationship and secure family life, and it does not mean that people who are able to accept you for what you are will not respect you and admire your honesty.
It is, however, not just for yourself, but for those around you, important to always keep in mind the feelings of others and to try to empathise with them.
If you are able to empathise with others and maintain their respect, you appear to have the qualities of inner toughness which is sometimes necessary to achieve a great deal of success in your chosen career or business venture.
Keywords: pragmatic, resilient, resolute.
6
Memory
Memory (the ‘ninth intelligence’) is the process of storing and retrieving information in the brain. It is this process of memory that is central to our learning and thinking.
Human beings are continually learning throughout their lifetime. Only some of this massive volume information is selected and stored in the brain, and is available for recall later when required. Learning is the acquisition of new knowledge and memory is the retention of this knowledge. The combination of learning and memory, therefore, is the basis of all our knowledge and abilities. It is what enables us to consider the past, exist in the present and plan for the future. Its importance and power should not be underestimated.
Every part of our life relies to some extent on memory and is what enables us to walk, study, relax, communicate and play; in fact whatever function we perform, some sort of memory process is at work.
As previously discussed in earlier chapters of this book, there are many different types of intelligence, and people who have outstanding artistic, creative, sporting or practical prowess can all be highly successful, or occasionally geniuses, in their specific field without having a high measured IQ.
Having a good memory is yet another type of intelligence, and could result in high academic success, due to the ability to memorise facts, despite a lower than average IQ measurement.
While little is known about the physiology of memory storage in the brain, what is known is that memory involves the association of several brain systems working together. It is also accepted that the more we use our memory, the better it becomes. It is, therefore, important to stimulate the memory by using it to the utmost, learning new skills and using memory-enhancing techniques.
The tests in this chapter are designed
to test your powers of memory and to assist you in improving your memory by developing your powers of concentration and disciplining yourself to fix your mind on the subject being studied.
Test 6.1 Pattern recognition A
Study the diagram below for 5 seconds, then wait for 5 minutes and turn to page 78.
Test 6.2 Word association
This exercise tests your ability to remember pairs of words and form associations.
Study the 12 pairs of words below for 10 minutes and use your imagination to link each pair of words, as shown below, in as many ways as possible. Then turn to page 78.
Test 6.3 Verbal dexterity and memory test — anagrams
This test consists of 20 sets of letters. From each set of letters a seven-letter word can be produced.