Healthy Ego test
The ego helps us make sense of our thoughts and the world around us. This quick quiz, designed by Derek Linzey is a helpful tool to assist you in discovering where you are on the spectrum of egotism.
A properly balanced ego is crucial to good mental health. To determine the health of your own ego answer the following questions (as honestly as you can).
When someone pays you a compliment do you: 1. Nod and take it as just dues?
2. Blush and accept the compliment?
3. Look behind you to spot the person for whom (surely) the compliment is intended? 4. Scrutinize the complimenter for ulterior motives?
When you look in the mirror, what do you see? 1. The man/woman of your dreams. 2. A flawed but attractively human face.
3. A fat, hairy stranger. 4. Mirrors have been banished from your house.
What is your attitude toward clothes? 1. You live in naturist community—clothes only hide the glory of your body. 2. Clothes are important to you—they are a considered outward representation of your inner self. 3. You feel comfortable in whatever you wear. 4. Clothes protect the world from the hideousness of your naked form.
In the changing rooms at the pool do you: 1. Shower naked whilst conducting an involved routine of stretches? 2. Shower naked but quickly? 3. Shower with your bathing suit on?
4. Skip the shower altogether and quickly dress in one of the private stalls?
When a friend returns the first draft of your manuscript with many considered comments do you: 1. Ignore all input, as genius is destined to be misunderstood? 2. Consider these comments carefully and incorporate the salient ones into your next draft? 3. Not share your writing, as the mere act of writing is pleasure enough for you?
4. Give up and never write again?
Note down the number of your response to each question and add the numbers together.
Click for results
4 to 5: Inflated Ego.
Unfortunately, you suffer from narcissism.This might explain why you tend to remain single, why your colleagues prefer not to work with you, and why people tend to avoid you (and your stimulating anecdotes) at parties. It is advisable that you take a good long look at yourself—not by gazing lovingly into the mirror but by noticing how your behavior impacts others.
10 to 13: Healthy Ego.
Congratulations! You have achieved a healthy, balanced ego.This means that you are in a position (if you so wish) to your enjoy life with someone else and to benefit profession- ally from the input of others.You are also able to enjoy a bit of good-humored ribbing at your own expense.
18 to 20: Deficient Ego.
A deficiency in ego is often mistaken for hard-nosed realism or extreme modesty. Really though, in not asserting your own worth, you undermine your ability to function in the world.You deprive yourself and those near you of access to your unique and wonderful qualities. Are you really so unattractive? Is your work really inferior to the next person’s? Surely not.