Personal analysis of life styles inventory results and implications

Life Styles Inventory (LSI) is designed to provide individuals with timely feedback concerning ways that their personal and professional lives can be changed for the better. Using a series of "styles" to measure various aspects of life, the LSI can provide some startling accurate results when respondents are honest and forthright in their responses. This paper provides a summary and analysis of the results of the administration of the LSI to the author, followed by a summary of the research and important findings in the conclusion.

Self-Actualizing Style

A score in the medium range that is close to the high range means that people with this score are "generally confident" concerning their ability to effect change and improvement in themselves and others. Individuals with this score are pragmatic with a wide range of interests and are able to excel at those things that are deemed rewarding. An interesting finding for a medium score for this style was that a positive outlook for the future is not typically matched by substantive steps to achieving professional development.

Achievement Style

People who score in the high range on this style tend to feel positively challenged by the tasks that confront them. High scores on the achievement style reflect a belief that even intractable things can be changed for the better and that it is worth taking calculated risks to do so. People with this score tend to approach problems in a methodical manner that maximizes their chances for success.

Perfectionistic Style

The high score received in this style underscores a significant constraint to personal ad professional development. A high perfectionistic style score means that people tend to have trouble doing their best, even when something positively challenges them. People with a high score on this style tend to expect too much from themselves and others and even outstanding work is judged inadequate according to the high standards of the perfectionistic style. People who score high on this style also try to make some parts of their lives flawless in order to attract attention and others tend to view them as overly demanding and inflexible, thereby adversely affected "people skills."

Competitive Style

A high score received in the competitive style means that people tend to place a higher priority on winning than on "how they play the game." There is a corresponding tendency for people who score high in this area to overestimate their abilities. Moreover, a high score in the competitive style means that people are also competitive for attention from others, and there is a tendency to try to appear superior in some fashion in order to receive additional attention from others.

Oppositional Style

The high score received in this style reflects a sense of superiority towards others wherein they are viewed with rigid skepticism. This sense of superiority is the result of an innate belief that one's views are better than anyone else's, and that people would benefit if they would just listen and follow. An unfortunate concomitant of a high score in this area is a tendency to use a passive-aggressive approach in interactions with others, and this may create the (accurate) perception among others that high scorers in this style are in fact manipulative and difficult to "read."

Avoidance-Oriented Style

A high score in this style reflects a "fear of success" that is reinforced by vivid memories of past failures that are difficult to forget and the replaying of these old scripts prevents high scorers from taking the risks and confronting difficult situations that are needed to grow and move on. The high score on this style directly conflicts with the high scores in some other styles such as power-oriented wherein the lead is taken because high avoidance-oriented style scorers tend to have diminished confidence in their abilities to effectively interact with others and advance their own ideas. Furthermore, unresolved, the negative outcomes that are associated with high scores on this style have significant healthcare implications.

Dependent Style

The high score received on this style indicates a sense of helplessness and a corresponding belief that despite one's best efforts, all effort is futile in effecting meaningful change. This high score directly opposes the high score received in the achievement style and this opposition can help promote attributes that can help overcome the sense of helplessness and improve interactions with others to the extent that suspicion and distrust are not allowed the rule the day.

Conventional Style

The high score received in this style reflects a basic preference for using methodological approaches to problem solving; however, this tendency may also constrain the introduction of new ideas and concepts based on a fear of rejection and "bucking the system." The high reliance on routine and procedures may prevent some people from taking the calculated risks that are needed to make and sustain meaningful changes in their lives. Here again, this high score conflicts with the high score in the achievement style that indicates a willingness to take acceptable risks.

Approval Style

The low score received for this style indicates that when it is given, approval is appreciated but it is not a necessary component for a personal sense of achievement. The low score received for this style directly conflicts with the high score received in the avoidance-oriented style wherein high scorers are reluctant to voice their own opinions and ideas. By contrast, low scorers in the approval style tend to rely on their own judgment and abilities and are willing to advance their own thoughts and views. Taking steps to avoid being overly concerned with what others think and being liked may further facilitate interpersonal communications.

Affiliative Style

The medium range score that was received for this style reflects a moderate importance for relationships, and people with this score tend to avoid initiating relationships but may not necessarily avoid entering into them. Interestingly, a medium score can reflect a transient episode in a significant relationship that may change significantly in the future. The medium score that was received in this style is highly congruent with the high scores in the dependent style and avoidance-oriented style wherein people tend to withdraw and avoid uncomfortable situations.

Conclusion

At first blush, the Life Styles Inventory appears to be much like a well-written horoscope that contains general descriptions that could apply to anyone. Upon closer analysis, though, the Life Styles Inventory was shown to provide an accurate, sometimes startling so, assessment of individual style elements that affect the way in which people interact with each other and how they approach goal setting and problem resolution in their lives. In the final analysis, the Life Styles Inventory represents a valuable tool that can help people identify constraints to progress in their lives and take the steps that are needed to overcome them.