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of attitudes and personality traits. It’s really
about the differences between
individuals.
P:
I see. How did psychometric testing start?
I mean, who designed the early tests?
F:
Well, the first psychometric tests were
designed to measure intelligence. I think the
first usable intelligence test was the
Stanford–Binet test. The test was developed
originally by a French psychologist called
Alfred Binet.
P:
Mmm, interesting. So, how useful are the
tests? Are they reliable? That’s what most
people want to know.
F:
Well, that’s a good question. All tests must
have reliability and validity. Let me explain
what I mean. When you use a reliable test,
you get the same results each time. If the
test is valid, it measures what it’s supposed
to measure … and not something else.
P:
Mmm. I wonder if you could you give us an
example of what exactly you mean by
validity?
F:
An example? Well … if you test a teacher on
how many books they can carry, that’s not a
valid measure of their ability as a teacher.
P:
Right, I see. Well, what can personality tests
tell you about a person?
F:
Well, there’s one test, called the Myers–
Briggs test, which is widely used all over
the world. It’s based on a study of more
than 20,000 people. Organisations think it’s
useful when you want to work out people’s
roles in a team. Some people say it’s useful
to decide your personality type. You can,
for example, find out how organised,
reliable and sociable you are.
I think the questions are quite interesting
and people seem to enjoy doing them.
There are questions like: ‘Can you stay calm
under pressure?’ ‘Are you a good team
player?’ ‘How motivated are you?’ And so on.
P:
Have you taken any of these tests yourself?
F:
Yes, I have. The results were very interesting
.
P:
OK, thanks for that. Now, let’s get on to
your research. What are you working on at
the moment, Dr Janahi?
F
:
I’m currently carrying out research into the
validity and reliability of lie detector tests
and how far people can beat those tests.
I am particularly interested in whether
actors, such as method actors who
thoroughly immerse themselves in a role …
well, whether they could beat the tests.
LESSON 1.4 RECORDING 1.4
C = Claire, J = Jodie
C:
Honestly Jodie, I don’t understand it. Two
assistants leaving us in the last three
months. It’s not about us surely, it’s not our
fault, is it?
J:
I don’t know. I suppose we are difficult at
times.
C:
Difficult? How do you mean?
J:
Well … you expect quite a lot from staff, I’d
say. You’re ambitious and hard-working,
and if the staff don’t do things right, you
often lose your temper. You speak your
mind instead of being diplomatic. Maybe
that’s why Barbara’s left us. I think you
upset her quite often. Perhaps you didn’t
realise it.
C:
Mmm, it’s true, I do have a bad temper at
times. But that wasn’t the reason she was
unhappy with me. She wanted to go
LESSON 1.1 RECORDING 1.2
C = Christina, N = Noora, G = Gina
C:
Oh, Noora, come on! You can tell a lot
from a person’s appearance. I mean, when
people meet me for the first time, they can
see I’m quite a sociable person – I love
enjoying myself. I always try to have a good
time and not take life too seriously.
N:
I don’t know, Christina. It’s certainly not the
same for me. Look, I’ve got quite a lot of
friends, but most of them say they thought I
was really quiet and serious when they first
met me. Maybe it’s the way I dress. But you
know me, I think I’m quite energetic. And
I’m interested in everything.
G:
Mmm.
N:
Maybe people think I’m strange because of
my sense of humour, I don’t know, or
because I don’t care what people think. I
like to do things my way. Anyway, you
always laugh at my jokes, Gina.
G:
Yes, I think you’re really funny.
N:
What about you, Gina? You’re very different
from how you look.
G:
How do you mean?
N:
Well … you’ve got a really good job,
running your internet company. You’re
hard-working, very focused on your career.
You seem to know exactly what your aims
are. People would never guess, just looking
at you – they’d probably think you’re an
out-of-work actor or something.
G:
Yeah, you’re right, Noora. I suppose I do
look a bit strange. The way I dress, I mean.
I’m really a serious person, as you know,
and people don’t always realise that when
they first meet me. I like to be in control, I
plan everything very carefully, and I don’t
like too much change in my life. That’s the
way I am.
C:
I suppose you are very different from your
appearance, Gina, and you are a bit
strange …
N:
Christina!
C:
… but you’re a good friend, that’s the
important thing.
N:
She’s right. You’re very reliable and you
have high standards, I like that. I think
you’re a person with real principles, and
there aren’t too many people like that these
days.
G:
Thanks, Noora, I think that’s a good
description of me. You know me well, don’t
you?
LESSON 1.2 RECORDING 1.3
A = Anchor, P = Presenter, DJ = Dr Janahi
A:
And now at 11 o’clock it’s over to Jake
Mason and today’s edition of
Changing World
.
P:
Good evening everyone. Our guest tonight
is Dr Hisham Mohammed Janahi, an expert
in psychometrics and on personality.
Dr Janahi – our listeners are very interested
in personality tests, so can I ask
a few questions about those before we talk
about your current research?
F:
Yes, certainly, and good evening everyone.
P:
OK, my first question. What exactly does
psychometrics mean?
F:
Well, psychometrics is really related to the
measurement of intelligence and personal
qualities. It measures four things: the
measurement of knowledge, the
measurement of abilities, the measurement
shopping during office hours, to buy a
birthday present for her mother. But we
were really busy at that time so I said ‘no’.
She didn’t say anything, but I could tell she
wasn’t happy with my decision.
J:
Yes, but that wasn’t the only reason. I don’t
think she really liked you. She just couldn’t
get on with you.
C:
Yeah, but she didn’t like me mainly because
I’m talkative. She always gave me funny
looks whenever I had a long conversation in
the office. I tell you, Jodie, I’m really
pleased she’s left. I like open-minded
people, you know, people who live and let
others live. That’s the kind of person I want
to employ here.
J:
Sorry, I can’t agree with you about Barbara.
In my opinion, she was a really hard
worker, she did a good job for us. I’ve
missed her a lot.
C:
Well, she’s gone and that’s that. It’s not my
fault. What about the other one who left,
Louise? Now, I got on really well with her,
but you couldn’t stand her.
J:
That’s not true at all, you’re exaggerating as
usual. OK, she wasn’t my kind of person.
She was too quiet and it really got on my
nerves. I’m sociable, noisy at times, maybe
too noisy. And it’s true, I do have a very
loud voice and a loud laugh, but I like to
have a bit of fun with people. That’s why I
get on so well with Georgia, we’re always
joking with each other. Louise was jealous
of my friendship with Georgia.
C:
I accept that. But don’t forget Georgia used
to make fun of her a lot and she didn’t like
it. She was a sensitive person, Louise …
J: Yeah, without any sense of humour at all.
I’m so glad she’s gone. I haven’t missed her
at all.
C:
Well, I liked her. And I have missed her … a
lot. She was a great worker, she always did
exactly what I asked her to do. You know,
she was afraid of you, Jodie, you have such
a strong personality.
J:
Nonsense. Anyway, let’s look ahead. The
problem is we need to find someone who’ll
be a good match for both of us. Why don’t
we go for a man this time, instead of a
woman?
C:
No, that’s out of the question. We’re not
allowed to say we prefer a man – it’s against
the law to do that. We want someone, male
or female, who’ll fit in here. I suggest we
contact the agency again. Let’s see who
they can offer us. I think we should tell
them exactly the kind of person we’re
looking for.
J:
OK, how about you phoning them this time?
I’m really busy, I’ve got a big order to deal
with.
C:
All right, leave it to me.
LESSON 2.1 RECORDING 2.1
N = Nadia, L = Lisa, A = Amina,
J = Jackie, F = Fatima
L:
Hi, Nadia, my name’s Lisa.
N:
Hi, Lisa.
L:
Nadia, what’s the furthest you’ve travelled
from home?
N:
Mmm, let me think … well, I suppose the
answer is Indonesia.
L:
Indonesia? Did you enjoy it?
N:
Yeah, it was fascinating. I went with a friend
and we got on really well. And she’s still a
