EQ and SQ, Who Knew?

Spritely, I think it's the way we respond.  I've noticed this on Emotional Intelligence tests responses by students.  Some people just don't respond as enthusiastically.  Like, maybe I'm saying “strongly agree” while you're saying “slightly agree,” but we subjectively FEEL the same way, but for whatever reasons express it differently.  I mean, there's no WAY I'm as analytical as they say I am…  ?

Maze, the test would say that's a HUGE Empathy score for a guy!  Actually, it's a way above average Empathy score for a woman, too!  Well, we always knew you were special and empathetic.  No wonder we kinda like you!  :)

You've got to be kidding me!  I didn't know the scores went that high on the SQ!!!  It makes you darned interestin' I'd say.  But we ALL are!!! :)

Yeah!  I scored a perfect “0” on that, too!  (Right in the middle!) 

And yeah, I think we've “psyched” the EQ/SQ test.  If one tends to answer using the less emphatic response catagories, one's score is lower. 

Of all the tests I've taken in playing around this last month, I'd say the BBC psychological one about gender is probably the most interesting and well thought out.

I'll be looking forward to what Ms. Spritely has to say about 5 genders, but here's my take:

(and once I try to actually articulate this, I'm always hit with the stunning complexity of the issues of even “naming” or thinking catagories of sex and gender!)

A good starting point is the Bugis of Indonesia.  They were pirates in the 19th century, and were fierce.  They seem to be what inspired the saying, “Look out for the Boogie Man.”  Seriously.  But any way, they are a good example of a people with 5 genders.  Here's their naming system:

makkuntai - feminine woman
oroane - masculine man
calalai - masculine female
calabai - feminine male
bissu - transgender shaman

Remember, however, that psychological sex does not predict, or statistically speaking, does not “vary with” sexual orientation.  In other words, I might be calalai and feel, as the calalai does, that “I am largely a man.”  But this does not predict whether I will be sexually attracted to men or to women.   In fact, SOME westerners who have undergone the transsexual journey, enduring surgeries and hormone therapy to “become” a presenting sex appropriate to the mental “gender” they subjectively experience, have always been attracted to lovers of the opposite sex, and now that they have achieved a transsexual identity, they now have “become” homosexual. 

If this is not too confusing, it might have some information for thought or discussion. 

Here's my idea (should this be a blog by itself?):  Traditional societies influenced by Hebrew traditions have consitently stigmatized and ostracized homosexuals, insisting instead on very rigid and polarized interpretations of human sexuality and very limited and polarized options for gender expression.  Perhaps, taking a cue from societies in many other cultures and eras, we could explore the idea that gender ambiguity, or gender inclusiveness, within a single ego identity, is indicative of, or shows a potential for, advanced spiritiual growth, experience, and leadership…?