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 Scores will range from 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 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 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 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.