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The following considerations are kept in view while designing this test :—

(a) It should be applicable (b) The specific situation should (c) No specialised knowledge
to the group for which it be within the knowledge and should be required to find a
is intended. experience of all candidates and solution to the problem.
should provide equal opportunity
to all in the exercise of their
imagination.

(d) There should be a (e) There should be one
minimum of three workable distraction i.e., a Red-herring. It
solutions to the problem. should neither be too simple nor
too serious but strong enough to
lead the less discriminatory
astray.

Lesson 5
Courage

Courage is perhaps the most misunderstood quality in any personality assessment. In common
language, we call a person courageous if, for instance, he jumps in a torrent to save a drowning person.
As assessors, we would not jump to this conclusion. We would pause to consider—
(a) Whether the jumper knew swimming.
(b) Whether the action was purposive, and
(c) Whether he was capable of achieving the end result. If the answer is yes, we endorse that the
person was courageous, otherwise we would call him rash, foolhardy and plainly foolish.
It is only commonsense to be afraid of real danger. A pedestrian jumping back on to the
pavement to avoid the oncoming bus, is not called afraid. Appreciation of the situation as well
as one’s capacity to handle it, are important ingredients of courage. This must be coupled with
a will to act, do something socially desirable, by taking some risk.

A point which should be clearly understood is that mere bragging of one’s exploits or capacities is
bravado. Similarly recklessness is not a sign of bravery. It is an active form of bravado, and bravado is
only a poor substitute for timidity.
To be able to weigh the pros and cons and then jump into a situation, shows the ability to take
calculated risk, which is certainly a positive attribute.
Appreciation of danger, robust mental attitude, keenness to put one’s effort to achieve a socially
acceptable goal, which is not beyond one’s capacity are signs of courage.
Closing one’s eyes or getting panicky and frozen in face of danger are signs of timidity.
Being afraid of real danger is being sensible. We need not be afraid of being afraid. Vigorous
preparation will reduce our fear and useful action will prevent it. That is the pathway to courage.