(Note: So it occurs to me that I didn't finish the Neuroeconomics multi-part post I had intended on finishing oh a year ago. Life happens. In any event, the work of Kahneman and Tversky, and a compiled analysis of the type of topics that deal with fallacious decision-making and its economic implications can be found in Neuroeconomics by Peter Politser. And I haven't talked to Tim in aeons, not sure where he's at. Hope all is well, and given his employment at AIG, no doubt things are. A little bailout humor there. And here)
Anyway, so yeah. Nothing like some interesting folk to run into to freak you the fuck out. A Democratic (alleged staffer, but probably volunteer) agent for Kendrick Meek was attempting to recruit me for a campaign push in the summer of 2010 a while back. I dismissed it, since frankly Governor Crist is going to beat the hell out of Meek, and also, despite Florida being a nice place, I don't particularly find it an interesting place to go bust my ass 14 hours a day for no money when I have the MCAT and Med School applications to complete. So my..."relationship" or courting from this person evolves into the random musings of someone who seems on face value, even from internet correspondances, erratic at best. There's something awry, even if (because of not being in person) the cues are not altogether explicitly clear.
Cut to a few months of correspondance later: So, the guy distributes photos of himself and his love and joy child randomly one day, which is you know sort of a sentimental thing to do. Save for the part where there's a massive elegant bong right next to his child, the child looks malnourished, and the guy has a careless shit-eating grin on his face with a nice Cuban flag t-shirt (no he isn't Cuban, apparently just wants to be the epitome of a Conservative's stereotype of a liberal). Four weeks later, his wife has left him, he is held on a 5150 equivalent, forced into detox, losing custody of his child, and suddenly embracing a crazed born-again religious philosophy to try and hold everything together, all the while laying claim to owning a radio show because he pays for advertisement on it, and seemingly in absolute denial over the car wreck that is his entire life.
Moral of the story? If people seem a little odd, and your suspicions are clinically/experimentally honed in on what cues suggest mental health issues, you should trust your instincts. Holy shit do I feel bad for his child. Best of luck to the little guy.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Personality Types Part 1: Structuralists vs. Free Spirits
Note: This is post is Part 1 in a 4 Part series on Personality Types.
personal and professional relationships.
For the past 7 years I've studied psychology and social dynamics. During this time, some of the things I've learned are more helpful than others. I'm going to share what's been the most personally helpful.
In this section I'll give some insight behind questions that seem to plague EVERY relationship; whether it's a professional relationship, a friendship, or romantic relationship.
These will sound familiar to you. The first one is...
WHY can't he JUST be on time?!
The Battle Cry Of The Structuralist Party
Structuralists are roughly 50% of th population. They are very irrational in the sense that they try to structure the outside world in a way that matches what they see in their mind. They're always on time, or slightly early...TO EVERYTHING.
You might belong to the Structuralist Party if...
-You feel more comfortable AFTER making a decision rather than BEFORE.
-You take it PERSONALLY when your boyfriend is late, and unless somebody died there is no good reason.
-You think there is a RIGHT and WRONG way to do everything.
-It is more important to follow the PLAN than accomplish the GOAL. (This is a trick question, structuralists always think the goal is to follow the plan! HA!)
Nothing pisses off a structuralist MORE than dealing with a member of the Free Spirit party, who will find themselves asking...
It's not that big of a deal! Why are you so upset?!
The Response Of The Free Spirit Party
Free Spirits are also about 50% of the population. Contrary to their Structuralist counter parts, Free Spirits are usually late. They usually procrastinate, or perfer to seek more information before making a decision. A free spirit is very comfortable saying "I'm not sure yet.".
You might belong to the Free Spirit Party if...
-You're always late
-You're most gathering information BEFORE a decision
-After making a decision, it's open for review as the situation changes.
-The phrase "Call if you know you're going to be late" makes NO SENSE to you.
Chances are, you can clearly identify with either the Structuralist Party or the Free Spirit Party.
Now that we've identified which party we belong to, it's important to know how to communicate with members of the opposing party - here are some tips.
STUCTURALISTS
1. Understand
As Stephen Covey says, "Seek First To Understand, Then To Be Understood". This is always the first step in effective communication. Doesn't this seem incredibly counter intuitive? Why should I try to understand somebody else if they're not trying to understand me?! Well grow up. You can only control you.
Understand that Free Spirits do not see the world in black and white. They're fascinated by the shade of grey that is inbetween. You may view free spirits nature to delay decision making as avoidance, and sometimes it genuinely is, but other times this delay is an effort to make the BEST decision.
2. Buffer Time
This one is simple. If you're dating a free spirit, and the movie you're planning on going to starts at 7:30, tell them it starts at 4:00.
I'm serious.
3. Be Clear
This is the easy part for the structuralist party - Be clear about deadlines and time restrictions.
FREE SPIRITS
1. Understand
Understand that structuralists see the world in black and white. Understand that when you are brainstorming outloud, or exploring possibilities, the structuralist is hearing a never ending to do list. This is very frustrating for structuralists. Be clear about the things that are "ideas" or "options".
2. Create Pseudo Wiggle Room
If your assignment at work or school is due March 30th - CONVINCE YOURSELF IT IS DUE FEBRUARY 1st. Stick to it. Do whatever you have to do to convince yourself.
3. Your Aunt Died.
Don't give a zillion reasons about why you're late. Just say your aunt died.
For all you know I have 300 aunts. You don't know.
Next week I'm going to talk about Temperaments, the unchanging building blocks of who we are.
Understanding the personality types of others has helped me tremendously in
personal and professional relationships.
For the past 7 years I've studied psychology and social dynamics. During this time, some of the things I've learned are more helpful than others. I'm going to share what's been the most personally helpful.
In this section I'll give some insight behind questions that seem to plague EVERY relationship; whether it's a professional relationship, a friendship, or romantic relationship.
These will sound familiar to you. The first one is...
WHY can't he JUST be on time?!
The Battle Cry Of The Structuralist Party
Structuralists are roughly 50% of th population. They are very irrational in the sense that they try to structure the outside world in a way that matches what they see in their mind. They're always on time, or slightly early...TO EVERYTHING.
You might belong to the Structuralist Party if...
-You feel more comfortable AFTER making a decision rather than BEFORE.
-You take it PERSONALLY when your boyfriend is late, and unless somebody died there is no good reason.
-You think there is a RIGHT and WRONG way to do everything.
-It is more important to follow the PLAN than accomplish the GOAL. (This is a trick question, structuralists always think the goal is to follow the plan! HA!)
Nothing pisses off a structuralist MORE than dealing with a member of the Free Spirit party, who will find themselves asking...
It's not that big of a deal! Why are you so upset?!
The Response Of The Free Spirit Party
Free Spirits are also about 50% of the population. Contrary to their Structuralist counter parts, Free Spirits are usually late. They usually procrastinate, or perfer to seek more information before making a decision. A free spirit is very comfortable saying "I'm not sure yet.".
You might belong to the Free Spirit Party if...
-You're always late
-You're most gathering information BEFORE a decision
-After making a decision, it's open for review as the situation changes.
-The phrase "Call if you know you're going to be late" makes NO SENSE to you.
Chances are, you can clearly identify with either the Structuralist Party or the Free Spirit Party.
Now that we've identified which party we belong to, it's important to know how to communicate with members of the opposing party - here are some tips.
STUCTURALISTS
1. Understand
As Stephen Covey says, "Seek First To Understand, Then To Be Understood". This is always the first step in effective communication. Doesn't this seem incredibly counter intuitive? Why should I try to understand somebody else if they're not trying to understand me?! Well grow up. You can only control you.
Understand that Free Spirits do not see the world in black and white. They're fascinated by the shade of grey that is inbetween. You may view free spirits nature to delay decision making as avoidance, and sometimes it genuinely is, but other times this delay is an effort to make the BEST decision.
2. Buffer Time
This one is simple. If you're dating a free spirit, and the movie you're planning on going to starts at 7:30, tell them it starts at 4:00.
I'm serious.
3. Be Clear
This is the easy part for the structuralist party - Be clear about deadlines and time restrictions.
FREE SPIRITS
1. Understand
Understand that structuralists see the world in black and white. Understand that when you are brainstorming outloud, or exploring possibilities, the structuralist is hearing a never ending to do list. This is very frustrating for structuralists. Be clear about the things that are "ideas" or "options".
2. Create Pseudo Wiggle Room
If your assignment at work or school is due March 30th - CONVINCE YOURSELF IT IS DUE FEBRUARY 1st. Stick to it. Do whatever you have to do to convince yourself.
3. Your Aunt Died.
Don't give a zillion reasons about why you're late. Just say your aunt died.
For all you know I have 300 aunts. You don't know.
Next week I'm going to talk about Temperaments, the unchanging building blocks of who we are.
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