Exercise 12.1:Empowerment Profile
Step1
Complete the followingquestionnaire. For each of the following items, select thealternative with which you feel more comfortable. While for someitems you may feel that both (a) and (b) describeyou or neither is ever applicable, you should select thealternative that better describes you most of the time.
When I have to give atalk or write a paper, I . . .
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Base the content of mytalk or paper on my own ideas.
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Do a lot of research,and present the findings of others in my paper or talk.
When I read somethingI disagree with, I . . .
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Assume my position iscorrect.
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Assume what’spresented in the written word is correct.
When someone makes meextremely angry, I . . .
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Ask the other personto stop the behavior that is offensive to me.
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Say little, not quiteknowing how to state my position.
When I do a good job,it is important to me that . . .
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The job represents thebest I can do.
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Others take notice ofthe job I’ve done.
When I buy newclothes, I . . .
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Buy what looks best onme.
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Try to dress inaccordance with the latest fashion.
When something goeswrong, I . . .
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Try to solve theproblem.
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Try to find out who’sat fault.
As I anticipate myfuture, I . . .
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Am confident I will beable to lead the kind of life I want to lead.
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Worry about being ableto live up to my obligations.
When examining my ownresources and capacities, I . . .
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Like what I find.
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Find all kinds ofthings I wish were different.
When someone treats meunfairly, I . . .
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Put my energies intogetting what I want.
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Tell others about theinjustice.
When someonecriticizes my efforts, I . . .
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Ask questions tounder-stand the basis for the criticism.
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Defend my actions ordecisions, trying to make my critic understand why I did what Idid.
When I engage in anactivity, it is very important to me that . . .
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I live up to my ownexpectations.
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I live up to theexpectations of others.
When I let someoneelse down or disappoint them, I . . .
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Resolve to do thingsdifferently next time.
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Feel guilty, and wishI had done things differently.
I try to surroundmyself with people . . .
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Whom I respect.
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Who respect me.
I try to developfriendships with people who . . .
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Are challenging andexciting.
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Can make me feel alittle safer and a little more secure.
I make my best effortswhen . . .
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I do something I wantto do when I want to do it.
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Someone else gives mean assignment, a deadline, and a reward for performing.
When I love a person,I . . .
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Encourage him or herto be free and choose for himself or herself.
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Encourage him or herto do the same thing I do and to make choices similar to mine.
When I play acompetitive game, it is important to me that I . . .
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Do the best I can.
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Win.
I really like beingaround people who . . .
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Can broaden myhorizons and teach me something.
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Can and want to learnfrom me.
My best days are thosethat . . .
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Present unexpectedopportunities.
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Go according toplan.
When I get behind inmy work, I . . .
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Do the best I can anddon’t worry.
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Worry or push myselfharder than I should.
Step2
Score your responses as follows:
Total your (a)responses: ___________
Total your(b) responses: ___________
Reflect on the overallpattern of your a) and b) responses.
