The Potentials is an activation show which depicts the growth and complexity of human personalities, and discusses how individuals may be misled and stunted by general personal descriptions.
My work extends upon what is known as the "Forer Effect" -- a term used in psychology to describe the phenomenon that occurs when individuals believe vague personality descriptions apply specifically to them, despite the descriptions being "universally valid."
To find out more or read the full experiment, click here.
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If you are interested in someone else’s thoughts on the validity of personality tests:
“Personality Tests Don’t Work, Here’s Why and The Alternatives”
” Personality Tests Are Fun But Do They Capture The Real You?”
“Why Personality Tests Don’t Work, The Neuroscience of Identity and Why People Get it Wrong”
“Should You Believe in Personality Quizzes? (The Barnum Effect)”
“Why the Myers-Briggs test is totally meaningless”
“Personality Tests Won’t Categorize Me: I’m Right Down The Middle!”
“The Potentials” was created and built on the philosophies from the past and present. To learn more check out these links on: De Stijl, Bauhaus, and Bruce Nauman.
The personality sketches were depicted in 13 posters hung on the gallery walls surrounding the installation:
The Growth Mindset application to this experimental process is one that will create results for people who are willing to expand their basic personality characteristics. Recent advances in neuroscience have shown us that the brain is far more malleable than we ever knew. Research on brain plasticity has shown how connectivity between neurons can change with experience.
The Little Engine That Could’s famous motto, “I think I can I think I can” is a solid example of the growth mindset at work. If you think you can be something, your brain will rewire to help you get there. Cool right?
We must recognize that we are more capable of personal growth if we set our minds to it, and the fallacy of personal validation is what holds us back from achieving our potential.