X-Message-Number: 10180 From: "Scott Badger" <> Subject: Re: Values Date: Wed, 5 Aug 1998 07:56:13 -0500 No time for a lengthy response, but I did want to throw in my $.02. The most recently touted research in personality was conducted by Dr. Reiss at The Ohio State University. 3500 subjects completed a 350 item survey (Psychological Assessments, June 1998). He factor analyzed the results and came up with 15 relatively distinct motivators (or what others would simply call needs). I suspect that to the degree that one can satisfy this mix of needs in any given environment over time, one "feels good". Some have conflicting needs however and will find it more difficult than others whose needs are more congruent. Reiss believes the strength these needs are at least partially determined through genetics. He aslo stated, interestingly enough, that Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory was never supported by research and his study suggests that Maslow is wrong. Reiss further claims that the profiles generated by his instrument are highly predictive of behavior. An article appears in the 08/03/98 edition of the Dallas Morning News for those who have an interest. http://www.dallasnews.com Balancing and satisfying needs seems to me to be the essential source of feeling good for most people. Maximizing personal satisfaction will always require compromising certain needs. This is why satisfying one need completely (e.g. the heroine thought experiment) will not result in maximum happiness. Happiness to all, Scott Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=10180