Albert Herdianto Widjojo
When I was in high school, accompanied by my father in his army uniform, because of juvenile delinquency, rebellion at school, and the use of narcotics, I had to do psychological tests, for the umpteenth time. When I do the test, there is one question that disturbs my mind, this is the question, “If you can paint, will you paint a flower?”
Can you imagine what made me think hard at the time? I was very fond of drawing and painting since my childhood, and as a “painter”, I would say “yes” because a painter could and may paint anything, but, if I answered yes, I already smelled a strange tone that would appear as a test resume finally later. Finally, I decided to answer “yes!”.
And sure enough. During a consultation with a psychologist to deliver the results of that psychological test, I debated with him! Imagine, he read calmly and confidently on the veracity of the test, “Your feminine side is very strong, then…” next to my father I cut off his conversation and hit the table, “Sir, I know there will be those words, written there, and spoken by someone!”. The psychologist fell silent and my dad looked a little tense looking at my anger. “Is it because I like to paint, and if I paint a flower, then you can casually say that I am feminine? And with just one of the many questions I’ve answered, that point of view becomes dominant as a test result? Do you know why I should take this test?
I still paint occasional flowers beside other objects, but mostly abstract. But to be honest, I have never photographed flowers before I participated in this challenge because I always just post the paintings or illustrations and philosophical and spiritual ideas to mean them. The idea of this post with the cable picture is the result of my chat with Doc Anderson, who says that he was inspired by my flower photos so that now he also post the flower photos. I’m happy about that, why not? Doc is a reliable professional in technology, he add my knowledge a lot and I feel challenged and inspired by his world, well, at least with the cables, then I post the cable photos above, and some other photos I’ll post in another challenge. Thank you for this inspiration, Coach!
By the way, do you agree with the psychological test, that someone who paints flower is dominated by feminine nature?
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If you want to join, here is all about 365 Photos Challenge and I am on Day 159.
There are many reasons Psychology is a soft science, and their tendency to over-generalize is just one of them. Very irresponsible…
Perhaps in those days, psychology is still struggling with less essential things about human authenticity. Have you ever painted flowers, my brother?
I don’t know if I’ve ever painted flowers by themselves but I’ve painted them in the context of other things. Regardless, folks always assume things about me based on my hair length…
Agree with that, I have also placed the flower in various contexts.
“Gondrong”, that’s how I’ve been ever called in the informal nickname for a long-haired man, like the image that’s still attached to you to this day.
I am never going to be able to crawl out from under that one
I want to go back there, unfortunately, my hair only left a few strands…
I am sorry to hear it
oh I forgot the photo must be a bunch of cable flowers lol. Had to say that
You are right, I should put a bunch of flowers in the photo. Actually, I added the last flower word before posting because it seems, the word should be involved in the title. Thanks for your advice, LaJenna
No I had to say it because the cables look all bunch together like flowers usually do lol
Oh, I see… Indeed I have collected enough laptop and printer cables to work together to form a flower as you mean. Hehe…
That is no accurate to say that about anyone that likes flowers. i have heard that for years, and it upsets me. If you love to paint flowers or have a garden that is great no matter who you are.
O’o… Is it true that kind of measurement is still used today?
I wonder by such an approach that used to assess the nature and characteristics of a person.
That is so disturbing Albert. So many doctors make mistakes that can never be undone. Absolutely not, he was wrong. Dead wrong. Your talent of painting, no matter what you paint, should be appreciated and respected. Geez, this makes me very upset.
That’s what I thought at the time when arguing with the psychologist, also until now.
See.. that is the part that gets me, still to this day it is in your mind, teachers and doctors usually don’t stop and think the impact they have on students and teachers for a lifetime.
I have long been interested in understanding human beings, about who we really are, but that test event made me never interested in becoming a psychologist. I have great respect for psychologists, and I have many colleagues and friends with the profession, but they are not for me.
That is too bad because there are a lot of good ones out there but this sort of thing happens and ruins it for the rest.
However, I am grateful to have experienced it, because that is the important thing I need to learn
You are right it is still frustrating to know these types exist.
Hahaha… You’re right, and I understand your frustration about that. I know that you are more able to encourage and invite others to see the good of themselves.
What is this stupidity? If you like a woman for example and like cars. Is she a man?
Hehehe… That’s a silly stupidity, is not it?
That is the most absurd thing I have heard in a long while. This is the problem with right sided thinkers and left. The artists eye captures beauty everywhere. Great post Albert.
Thanks, Kim.
Yeah… You capture the beauty from anything, anywhere, right?
I still often wonder with that absurdity, Kim. If a psychologist blames the battery test, then I question who the author of the test is?
Is this some kind of stereotyping?
LOL
I don’t know, but I think so. After I worked as a management consultant and training facilitator, I often questioned such a thing to my colleagues who hold a psychologist’s degree.
Perhaps they have forgotten to update their “scales” and symbolism ???
I mean many concepts and tests should be updated with times … lol
Probably, my friend. I do not know whether the test or test question is still in use or not. I myself took the test in about 35 years ago
Oh ok, maybe they’re still in experimental stage… :p
So, have they considered me a guinea pig?
I don’t think the desire to paint a flower is indicative of domination by the feminine nature. Should I think that vegetarians have a genocidal syndrome because Adolf Hitler was a vegetarian?
You are right and I totally agree! That is the reason I am angry, though my knowledge may be still superficial at the time. Thanks a lot for your visit, Francisco