Factors that make a story undesirable and psychologically weak at SSB interview
In My Previous post we have seen an example of a desirable TAT story in SSB interview. In this post we will try to cover the factors that make a story undesirable and psychologically weak at SSB interview.
Before we cover the factors that make a story undesirable and psychologically weak, let’s look into another story, which would put light on the common stories made by the aspirants at the SSB’s.
Before we cover the factors that make a story undesirable and psychologically weak, let’s look into another story, which would put light on the common stories made by the aspirants at the SSB’s.
Story:
Mahesh hailed from a remote area. He
was a hardworking and sincere student, who always thought about the development
of his village. Mahesh completed his studies and became an engineer. Mahesh got
posted to his district. He saw that his village lacked the basic infrastructure
and because of the funds, the village could hardly progress. Mahesh along with villagers
approached the administration and requested the roads and bridges on the river.
Soon, the Govt. sanctioned a bridge and a road to the village. Mahesh being the
engineer was made the engineer of the construction work. Road and bridge was
constructed, which brought prosperity to the village. Village became a modern
village.
Line-wise Interpretation of the Above Story by the Psychologist
Mahesh hailed from a remote village
area – The
first requirement of the TAT is the Hero identification
and not the introduction. Here, the Hero identification is not complete.
Another point here is, you should name the village, district, state etc.
He was a hardworking and sincere
student – Please
note that, no unwanted details, impression
management is required and even no adjectives
like hard-working, sincere, national-champion, honest, brave etc. These
qualities should be revealed through your action
and through your problem solving
behaviour.
He always thought about the
development of his village –
Was there no one in the village to think about the development except him? For
this, the Hero in the background should not necessarily be from an engineering
background; rather he should be have been introduced as a social worker.
Mahesh
completed his studies and became an engineer – Which studies did Mahesh
complete, whether B. Tech in Civil, Mechanical, Electrical etc. and from where?
Further, there was no one to see the progress of his village except him and
that too, when he became an engineer. And before becoming an engineer, did he
not see whether the village was lacking progress because of fund?
Mahesh
got posted to his Dist. He saw that his village lacked the basic infrastructure
and because of the funds, the village could hardly progress – Again, Mahesh
means the Hero is doing according to his wish by getting him posted to his own Dist.
and witnessing that the village lacked the basic infrastructure and due to the
shortage of the funds, the village could not progress. So, what he is doing is
writing the story as he wants.
This kind of story is evaluated as
Self-Generated Response. This means, you generate a response as per your wish
and as per your convenience. See Mr. Mahesh is doing whatever he wants and the
story is running according to his wish, hence termed as Wishful-Thinking.
Mahesh along with his villagers
approached the administration and requested the roads and bridges on the river.
Soon, the Govt. sanctioned a
bridge and a road to the village – Here, it means that getting the funds
sanctioned was pre-determined, that the fund has to be sanctioned without hurdle or problem.
Nothing comes ever so easy in life.
Mahesh being the engineer, was made
the engineer of the construction work – Again, here the story is being
designed to suit the Hero and as he
wants to perform.
Road and bridge was constructed, which
brought prosperity to the village. Village became a modern village – Again, here the story reveals
a small effort and big achievement, which is not possible in practical life.
In the above picture, the
aspirant has perceived a long-term goal related to the development of the
village, whereas the he should have perceived the short-term goal related to
some crisis, problem, risk, challenge or trouble as that particular situation
requires.Factors that make a story undesirable and psychologically weak
Now since we understood the various factors that make a Story Undesirable and psychologically weak , a candidate must ensure that these points are kept in mind and be well prepared and avoid such mistakes at SSB.
Also Read More:
1) The Psychological Testing
2) An Example of a desirable TAT story and its interpretation in SSB Interview
3) Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) | SSB Interview
4) The Practical Interpretation of the Story with Context to Subjective Interpretation and Psychological Interpretation | SSB Interview
5) Situation Reaction Test (SRT) in SSB Interview | Psychological Test