Everyone has one or two “pet” ideas—those
notions that seem so obvious that it’s almost incomprehensible that
others would question them. However, when a person carries this attitude
to an extreme, he or she runs the risk of becoming dogmatic.
Highly dogmatic people push away any and all information
that doesn’t conform to their acceptable patterns of thought. They
don’t want to hear what others say if it challenges their beliefs.
Low dogmatics can absorb information as it comes to
them, then make informed decisions to either hold on to or change their
beliefs.
Which are you? To test your level of dogmatism, answer
each of the following questions with “often,” “sometimes,”
or “rarely.”
| 1. Do you seek
out people who think the way you do? |
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| 2. Do you attempt
to shape others—family, friends, co-workers—to fit your
mold? |
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| 3. Do you read
newspapers or books or watch programs with viewpoints different from
your own? |
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| 4. Do you seek
the advice of others on proposed changes in procedure? |
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| 5. Do others dare
to differ with you? |
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| 6. Do you feel
antagonistic toward those who question your views? |
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| 7. When confronted
with a new idea, do you look only for flaws? |
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| 8. Do your friends
and acquaintances have opinions that match your own? |
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| 9. Are you reluctant
to become friends with someone whose age or occupation is quite different
from your own? |
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| 10. Do you generally
feel you’re “dead right” and the other person is
“dead wrong?” |
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An “often” answer to questions 1, 2, 6,
7, 9 and 10 means you are high on the dogma scale. This can be a significant
factor in your ability—or lack thereof—to communicate with
others. If you answered “often” to questions 3, 4, 5 and 8
you’re more a low dogma type and are probably easier to work with.
The point of this exercise isn’t to change your
ranking from high to low. It’s a reminder to listen to others’
ideas while at the same time being true to your own beliefs.
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