TEXTS FOR READING AND DISCUSSION

Instant Personality Analysis and Astrology

Suppose someone handed you an astrological reading and told you it was specially written for you. Would you believe it? According to several studies, you probably would.

Researchers also found that the mere personal facts an individual believes are used to compile a personality description, the greater his or her faith in its accuracy.

Thus, an individual who thinks a horoscope is based on the year, month, and day of birth is more likely to believe its description than someone who thinks no personal information was used at all.

Our willingness to accept general descriptions of ourselves as accurate may be due to the universal human failing of being a bit too gullible. This is especially true when the words we hear are filled with praise.

Speaking:

Work in pairs. Prepare a list of questions that you will need to ask in order to find out if your partner believes in astrology.

2. Working in groups, discuss the following statements. Which ones do you agree or disagree with?

1. Most people believe in astrology.

2. A horoscope is usually true for people of this or that astrological sign.

3. We usually believe the words we hear that are filled with praise.

3. According to the text are the following statements true or false?

1. Nobody would believe the horoscope if it was specially written for him.

2. People believe a horoscope accuracy, if some personal facts are used to compile a personality description.

Improving Your Self-image

If your self-image can stand a boost, try taking these steps toward greater self-confidence. As you’re reading this list, remember what humanistic personality theorists believe: a positive self-image is at the heart of successful adjustment.

· Base your personal goals on an honest appraisal of your strengths and weaknesses. Trying to be something you’re not can only weaken your self-image.

· Don’t let guilt and shame determine your goals. Let positive thinking guide your decision-making.

· Don’t blame everything that goes wrong on yourself. Sometimes external events can play an equally important role.

· When others dismiss your views, keep in mind that events are interpreted in different ways by different people.

· When things go wrong, don’t be too hard on yourself. Never think of yourself as a failure, stupid, or ugly.

· Accept criticism of the things you do, but don’t allow people to criticize you as a person.

· Use your failures in a constructive way. They may be telling you to readjust your goals and start over in a new direction.

· Don’t stay in a situation that makes you feel inadequate. If you can’t change the situation, move on to something new.

Try these suggestions and you’ll soon see that there’s no better feeling than feeling good about yourself.

Working in groups

· Discuss the foregoing statements, which ones do you agree or disagree with?

· Prepare a list of questions that you will need to ask in order to learn how to improve your self-image.

Who is Friend?

Friendship is a wonderful thing. Most of us go through life meeting a lot of people. But we have only a limited number of true friends. Who is a friend? What makes a friend special in our culture? Are friends expected to act differently in other cultures?

Let’s see what friendship means to you in our society. Think very carefully about the exercises and questions below. Answer them as honesty and completely as you can.

Date: 2016-04-22; view: 2104