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So I woke up and went to my class today. Communications 110. It's a pretty cool class; definitely my favorite college level class.
Anyways... we spend the class discussing a man by the name of Gary Smalley. He is a Christian writer/researcher. He works mainly on the topic of communications and personality traits. Why people say what they say and so what they do, basically.
He, along with two others [Dr. John Trent & Dr. Rod Cooper], came up with what is called the "Animal Personality And Temperment Test" It is as seen below:
Lion Temperment:
Likes Authority
Takes Charge
Determined
Confident
Firm
Enterprising
Competitive
Enjoys Challenges
Problem Solver
Productive
Bold
Purposeful; Goal-Driven
Decision Maker
Adventurous
Strong-Willed
Independent; Self-Reliant
Controlling
Persistent
Action-Oriented
"Let's Do It Now!"
Lion - 'King Of His Jungle'
- Usually leaders at work, in civic groups, or at church.
- Decisive, bottom-line oriented, and problem-solvers.
- Build big buildings and organizes; Commanders.
- Normally not intimate conversationalists.
You're used to getting what you want.
Hint: Be softer and more gentle.
Sometimes you're not too diplomatic in how you go about making decisions.
Hint: Include other when you make decisions.
Otter Temperment:
Enthusiastic
Takes Risks
Visionary
Motivator
Energetic
Very Verbal
Promoter
Friendly; Mixes Easily
Enjoys Popularity
Fun Loving
Like Variety
Spontaneous
Enjoys Change
Creative; Goes For New Ideas
Group Oriented
Optimistic
Initiator
Infectous Laughter
Inspirational
"Trust Me! It'll Work Out!"
Otter - 'Fun Loving And Playful'
- Essentially parties waiting to happen.
- Tend to be entertainers and networkers.
- Love to talk.
- Highly creative
- Good at motivating others
You tend to push your natural tendencies to far.
Hint: Think before you speak.
You always take chances.
Hint: It's better to ask for permission than forgiveness.
Golden-Retriever Temperment:
Sensitive Feelings
Loyal
Calm; Even Keeled
Nondemanding
Avoids Confrontations
Enjoys Routine
Dislikes Changes
Warm And Relational
Gives In
Accomodating
Cautious Humor
Adapable
Sympathetic
Thoughtful
Nurturing
Patient
Tolerant
Good Listener
Peacemaker
"Let's Keep Things The Way They Are."
Golden Retriever - 'Sensitive And Tender'
- Unbelievably loving, nurturing, and loyal.
- Stick with something or someone forever.
- These people buy all the greeting cards.
- Great listeners and encouragers
You don't want to offend people, so you put yourself out when it is unhealthy.
Hint: Practice saying no.
You're often indecisive for fear of hurting feelings.
Hint: Make firm decisions.
Beaver Temperment:
Reads Instructions
Accurate
Consistent
Controlled
Reserved
Predicatble
Practical
Orderly
Factual
Conscientious
Perfectionist
Discerning
Detailed
Analytical
Inquisitive
Precise
Persistent
Scheduled
Sensitive
"How Was It Done In The Past?"
Beaver - 'Do Things Right By The Book'
- Tend to be hard-working.
- Actually read instruction manuals.
- Excellent at providing quality control in an office.
- The bankers and accounts of our world.
- Like quality things - no junk for the beaver.
You pay attention to detail and can be overly rigid and organized to the extreme.
Hint: Learn to relax
It is difficult for you to see other people in messes or not doing things the way you would do them.
Hint: Don't expect other to do things just like you.
Source: Smalley, Gary - Making Love Last Forever [1996, pp. 171]
Basically, everyone out there is one of these personalities. You can have traits from all of them, and most likely will. However, one will have more than the others.
Mine, for exmaple, is Lion. I have 13 from it, as opposed to the others, where I have far fewer [Otter:5 / Beaver: 3 / Golden Retriever:7].
This struck me as extremely important to every single aspect of life.
For example, imagine a marriage with two Lions. Each will try to tell the other what to do; how to live. They will try to lead each other, but neither will want it.
How about two Otters? They would just go party all the time, and most likely cheat on one another, as they have an impulsive personality.
So, this really got me thinking about my last blog and what is really happening between me and her. I am a lion, and I would say she is more of an Otter.
So maybe I should just read this dudes book. Maybe he has all the answers? Hopefully I can start putting some pieces together...
 
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8748 Posts
Damn I am nowhere near any of the four...
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On April 28 2010 13:33 Liquid`NonY wrote:
Damn I am nowhere near any of the four...
Like I said, you don't necessarily have to be just one, and you don't have to have everything under that animal. You can be an Otter and not take risks, or a Beaver and not be a perfectionist, etc. But I'm pretty sure if you went through and counted up everything that you were in the lists, you'd have more in one than the others.
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I don't really believe in these kinds of categories. There is usually so much overlap between them that giving them names is just for show so they can reap some academic credit. I know that's kind of cynical, but these kinds of things should always be taken with a large grain of salt so you don't overly limit people who "fall into" 1 of these categories. The older and more worldly someone gets, the less likely any of this applies.
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I feel like this is like Myers-Briggs, except not as good in almost every way. I don't really get what the point is if you just choose a bunch of traits and then they tell you an animal. So then whats that mean?
no offense but this seems pretty noob.
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8748 Posts
On April 28 2010 13:47 fulmetljaket wrote:Show nested quote +On April 28 2010 13:33 Liquid`NonY wrote:
Damn I am nowhere near any of the four... Like I said, you don't necessarily have to be just one, and you don't have to have everything under that animal. You can be an Otter and not take risks, or a Beaver and not be a perfectionist, etc. But I'm pretty sure if you went through and counted up everything that you were in the lists, you'd have more in one than the others.
Counting them up, I have less than 5 things for each. I think two things working against me are apathy and bouncing between extremes. So if you're trying to describe different personality types and one thing you look at is whether the person wants to have his way and make decisions or he wants everyone to be happy and he doesn't mind other people making decisions... well, either I'm so apathetic that it's inaccurate to say I'm one way or the other, or I bounce between really wanting to make a decision for myself and really wanting to please others. Mostly I'm just apathetic.
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pop psych is fun 
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On April 28 2010 14:08 Liquid`NonY wrote:Show nested quote +On April 28 2010 13:47 fulmetljaket wrote:On April 28 2010 13:33 Liquid`NonY wrote:
Damn I am nowhere near any of the four... Like I said, you don't necessarily have to be just one, and you don't have to have everything under that animal. You can be an Otter and not take risks, or a Beaver and not be a perfectionist, etc. But I'm pretty sure if you went through and counted up everything that you were in the lists, you'd have more in one than the others. Counting them up, I have less than 5 things for each. I think two things working against me are apathy and bouncing between extremes. So if you're trying to describe different personality types and one thing you look at is whether the person wants to have his way and make decisions or he wants everyone to be happy and he doesn't mind other people making decisions... well, either I'm so apathetic that it's inaccurate to say I'm one way or the other, or I bounce between really wanting to make a decision for myself and really wanting to please others. Mostly I'm just apathetic.
So once they tally more people, you will probably become the raccoon type or something. the opportunist.
Seriously though, I don't think this stuff is really meant to be static. Its sorta like you may lean one way...
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It's not meant to be a definitive answer to everyone. It's meant as a guidline, like a reference so to speak. It's to help communication and understanding. Maybe it requires the background knowledge I've learned in the previous lecturs in this class, but it's definitely not in anyway wrong.
People act how they act, and this is a way to categorize it.
Obviously it's not going to be true all of the time. There are variables that can change it, like stress level, energy level, shit like that.
If you've had a shitty day and just want to relax, you probably aren't feeling much like a Lion; probably more like an Otter.
And again, these are just trivial names. 'Lion' in itself has no significance. It's just a general term to associate with that persnality. Like cheesing someone on Starcraft. Cheese obviously has nothing to do with Starcraft, in anyway shape or form. It's just a term to refer to for a specific thing.
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this is such bullshit... it's basically astrology.
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i am obviously the dragon type, gary smalley needs to get on his shit and update some more personality types
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Sigh.
Such narrow mindedness.
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I'm a beaver in my hobbies and health. Otter in my social life and definitely a lion at work. I could only catagorise myself as a golden retriever if I am being fake, which at times I have been.
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EPT
