self-discovery through the form of test subject

self-discovery through the form of test subject

I participated in a psychology experiment today (as all PSY101 students are suppose to), not knowing what platform of psychology was being tested. The first task seemed easy enough, we were shown a powerpoint of different adjectives and were told to rate on a scale of 1 (being the least) to 4 on how, in our opinion, associated the words were to George W. Bush. I was a little worried at first because I didn't know our former president well enough to associate him with words. As the different words were shown, I realized that they started to flash progressively faster -- maybe it was a test of memorization or short term memory. After the second task, we were given a new blank sheet of paper numbered 1-20 and were to complete simple math problems as they flashed across the screen. The proctor said it was 'alright' to skip some problems since they were to flash at a pretty quick pace. (So, maybe my hypothesis was right, maybe I beat the system.) As I was dominating these math problems at a much faster rate than my neighbors, I couldn't help but to reminisce about my undefeated Mad Minute glory back in elementary school. I still had my quick mathematic touch.

My thoughts were instantly shattered upon our final task - to turn our papers and write down as many of the adjectives from the first powerpoint as we could remember. "SHIT", I felt like I could not muster up a single word and it marked a reevaluation of the power of my short term memory. Finally, I remembered these four words: sincere, old-fashioned, able-witted, and aggressive. At the end of the experiment, it became known that it was a test of word association vs. self vs. memory. Meaning, the words we were able to memorize were the words that were closely associated with oneself. Sincere, able-witted, aggressive, old-fashioned? I'd say that is a pretty spot on description of me, maybe sans old fashioned though.

In other news, I got a B on my English paper and I am insanely pissed. Insanely in my brainy pissed. But, seriously who wants to hear about another Asian bitching about a B (not even a B+, might I add) in English. I don't, so I'll spare you that.