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enemities between the states and the countries, news of crimes and crime preventions, disaster and
development etc. these are the span of newspaper. Now the editorial column including letters to the
editors where newspaper goes into depth on each issue published on that page. This will be the depth of
the news paper. Therefore, after having gone through the newspaper thoroughly you will come to know
the span and the depth of the news.
Similarly when you react on a particular word it reflects the span and depth of your ideas and also
your span and depth of the imagination. I will cite an example :—
Example of Span—(1) India has lessoned the democracy to all the world.
Interpretation—India taught and assisted democratic process in Afghanistan, has lessoned
Pakistan, Nepal and still lessoning to Bhutan and Mayanmar. This example spells the span of ideas.
Example of depth—(2) India’s effort has restored democracy in Nepal.
Interpretation—Himalayan kingdom (Nepal) is our neighbouring country and very close to us.
We deployed Raja Karan Singh as special envoy to give harmonious advice to King Gyanendra to
restore democracy as only alternative remedy left under the changing circumstances. By this way we
went into the depth of relationship as no country did like us.

Lesson 2
Nature and Content of Stimuli in WAT

The OLQs profile includes qualities from intellectual, social, leadership and dynamic fields. The
psychologist selects words, which are ‘likely to elicit responses from these areas’. Following examples
may be considered :—
1 2 3 4

Intellectual Social Leadership Dynamic
Computer Neighbour Colonel Strive
Progress Friend Persuade Achieve
Perfection Accuse Command Energetic
Civilisation Famous Assert Prove
It may be born in mind that it is only a hypothesis. In psychology, things can be understood well
but cannot be predicted well. The word ‘COMPUTER’ can well elicit social or dynamic response too. It
depends on the thought process of the candidate. We may only guess that it could stimulate an
intellectual response according to the meaning of the projected word. However, words from intellectual,
social, leadership and dynamic field are projected in the same and fixed sequence.
How to Do Well in WAT ?
WAT is again a test of your imagination. But more than this, he is interested to know the
context/field, which is settled in your mind around the words. Actually, every word enfolds a cluster of
thoughts or ideas around it. A few of them are associated with more strength and play predominant role
while dealing with the situations of day-to-day life. Through this the psychologist fishes out these
associated ideas, thoughts along with their two primary characteristics i.e., span and depth.
Let us remind ourselves that the entire SSB exercise is the quest of a crisis manager. A successful
manager is equipped with better armour of ideas that actively aid him during the testing times. The
content of your sentences highlights these associated ideas.
Take for example a word ‘PROBLEM’. This word may be associated with many ideas/fields :