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

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