TESTING IMAGE ORIENTATION

Individuals with a Testing Image Orientation (TIO) sometimes see their environment as ambiguous, which could be due to insufficient reinforcement for productive behavior or inadequate directions as to expectations. Such perceived ambiguity may indicate that, early in life, the person learned to respond to ambiguous situations with questioning and overachievement. Further learning may have weakened this behavioral response, but pressure situations tend to uncover this old behavior. One way to eliminate the behavior is to eliminate the pressure. If that is not possible, perhaps a reexamination of whether this behavior is appropriate to the situation may help. Another answer is to emulate the behavior of someone who responds well to pressure.

TIOs need a work environment that reinforces current behavior and clarifies expectations, in order to dissolve their feelings of ambiguity. If this does not happen, the person may feel the need to overachieve, resulting in overperformance. Eventually, the person will begin to wonder inwardly just how long the pace can be maintained.

PERSONALITY CHARACTERISTICS

AND

INTERPERSONAL STYLE

TESTING IMAGE ORIENTATION

Potential Strengths and Weaknesses

Potential Strengths

Achievement-oriented

Zealous

Productive

Potential Weaknesses

Decision Making

Ambiguous feelings about the work environment may hamper the decision-making process.

Communication

May need clarification of what is expected in a work situation.

The need to overachieve may result in performance, impede communication with others.

Control of People

May need self-acceptance before dealing with others.

May need reinforcement for productive behavior.

Control of Time

May need to reexamine frenzied pace of own work output.