Psych Test?

[TeaEarlGreyHot]

I have been trying to find some more info on the psych test mentioned in TNG: Coming of Age.

I have been thinking about how the psych test would look for the bridge officers of TNG's Enterprise; in particular, Data.

I assume all the officers went through an entrance exam (well, maybe Data did not, the show seems to be fuzzy on that detail).

Does anybody have any ideas? Or perhaps reliable sources that mention this?

 

[Alrik]

The "Psych Test" was supposed to be unique to each individual. It was explained to Wesley that it was designed to force each person to face their greatest fear. They were then evaluated on how they responded.

 

[TeaEarlGreyHot]

The "Psych Test" was supposed to be unique to each individual. It was explained to Wesley that it was designed to force each person to face their greatest fear. They were then evaluated on how they responded.

Yes, I realize that. I am curious as to how the test would look like for the Bridge officers.

I suppose I could have simply asked "what does each bridge officer fear the most, and how would that translate into a test?"

 

[Timo]

And "how the heck does Starfleet know what they fear the most?"...

Is it something they have to write down in the application form, perhaps? It's not as if the testing crew in "Coming of Age" would have had much chance to evaluate Wesley or the others before arranging for their respective psych tests. And they had built an entire physical set for their test, rather than using holotechnology - how could that affordably be customized for different applicants?

Since our big heroes don't confess to fears in the show, I guess each would have to face some sort of "losing of face" or "failing to meet somebody's expectations" test, because that's always good for all-around heroes. It would be pretty boring, though.

In terms of phobias, LaForge probably would have a thing about fire, or (if we want to be cheap) not being able to see. Picard could be confronted by children or elderly Betazoidettes! But the others betray nothing about their deepest fears, or whether they even have such.

Timo Saloniemi

 

[Alrik]

And "how the heck does Starfleet know what they fear the most?"...

Is it something they have to write down in the application form, perhaps? It's not as if the testing crew in "Coming of Age" would have had much chance to evaluate Wesley or the others before arranging for their respective psych tests.

They were being tested for a spot in the academy. I would venture to guess that each had already been through extensive psychological screenings.

And they had built an entire physical set for their test, rather than using holotechnology - how could that affordably be customized for different applicants?

First of all it's Star Fleet, they don't use money. But seriously, I always guessed that it was a holodeck. They just never stated it. With their technology, it would have been simple enough to simulate the explosions that Wes thought were happening when he was alone in that room.

Since our big heroes don't confess to fears in the show....

Timo Saloniemi

Here I beg to differ. They did take up the premise of the psych exam again late in the series, just this time they called it the Bridge Exam. Remember, Troi couldn't pass it until she sent Holo-LaForge to his certain death.

The rest of the Heroes were well developed and their tests would have come much earlier in life. So what did we learn about them that might have been a sticking point early on?

Picard: Issues with children. Lost his best friend while commanding him.
Riker: Had daddy issues.
Crusher: (not a bridge officer yet) Lost her husband. Attached to Wes.
Data: Being treated as property.
LaForge: Being blinded with no tech backup.
Yar: Rape gangs.
Worf: Not living up to Klingon expectations.
Troi: Loosing her empathic abilities. Although, after GEN, her greatest fear should probably be taking the Helm.

 

[Timo]

First of all it's Star Fleet, they don't use money. But seriously, I always guessed that it was a holodeck. They just never stated it. With their technology, it would have been simple enough to simulate the explosions that Wes thought were happening when he was alone in that room.

In that case, shouldn't the simulation have disappeared, rather than merely ended? What would be the point of leaving the scenario running?

IIRC, they even have some of the "fallen" debris move back in place to show how fake it all was. Could be misremembering, though.

(We could argue that holodecks in Starfleet were a new thing at the time, while these tests had been running for centuries already, so the facilities would have mechanical sets for the purpose. I mean, yeah, civilians had used holotech for aeons already, as per VOY and Flotter, but the military isn't keen on adopting the latest in entertainment technology in the real world, either. It still sort of defeats the concept of tailoring the test for the applicant.)

Here I beg to differ. They did take up the premise of the psych exam again late in the series, just this time they called it the Bridge Exam. Remember, Troi couldn't pass it until she sent Holo-LaForge to his certain death.

That's hardly a scenario involving a specific "greatest fear", nor an Academy entry exam. Supposedly, Troi would already have taken the latter in some form, even if she only went there for a weekend to learn how (not) to salute.

And yeah, I agree her greatest fear would later be revealed as being something completely unrelated to sending fellow officers to their death.

I wonder what sort of a test it was that Merrick flunked in his fifth Academy year so that he ended up like he did in TOS "Bread and Circuses"... Something more comparable to the final no-win scenario, perhaps? Supposedly, that is all about psychology, too.

Timo Saloniemi

 

[Armored Saint]

And they had built an entire physical set for their test, rather than using holotechnology - how could that affordably be customized for different applicants?

First of all it's Star Fleet, they don't use money. But seriously, I always guessed that it was a holodeck. They just never stated it. With their technology, it would have been simple enough to simulate the explosions that Wes thought were happening when he was alone in that room.

I suppose situations were reusable for other candidates who have a similar fear.

 

[Alrik]

You could be right about the room. It has been a very long time since I have seen the ep.

As far as the bridge test, I guess my point is that it in itself isn't a psych test, but the final component was. Do you have what it takes to make the call.

The other point was that over the 7 year run, the main characters got developed enough to show us just what the cracks in their armor were to a small extent. They were portrayed as human, not perfect.

 

[JirinPanthosa]

The Bridge test Troi took wasn't specific to her, it was a test to see if a person is capable of ordering someone to their death.

I would guess they figure out somebody's greatest fear by predicting it based on their history and by psychological evaluation.

 

[Timo]

...Which calls for them to have very detailed records on a young civilian! I'm not sure how the military would figure out my greatest fear, and they'd have a hell of a lot more material available than with Wesley, what with me being about thrice his age, having received military training already, and spending a lot of time online leaving these slime trails.

Timo Saloniemi

 

[trekshark]

maybe a combination of interviews and questionaires of both the applicant and people close to them. A background check of any publicly available information that might indicate possible issues. Then after looking at all of that they make a best guess?
Crusher's dad dying when he was a little kid was no secret. Maybe he even saw a counselor (although poking around there could get into invasion of privacy and doctor patient confidentiality). They might have decided there was a good chance having that happen to him could cause him to have issues if faced with that situation

 

[Start Wreck]

Maybe the psych testing organisers are all Betazoids.

 

[Shat Happens]

I am not sure what exactly does the test test.

Since the Academy already know what the applicant's deepest fear is, and it can be something totally unrelated to space operations, isn't the only question left is how much can he/she shit his/her pants?

 

[trekker670]

First of all it's Star Fleet, they don't use money. But seriously, I always guessed that it was a holodeck. They just never stated it. With their technology, it would have been simple enough to simulate the explosions that Wes thought were happening when he was alone in that room.

In that case, shouldn't the simulation have disappeared, rather than merely ended? What would be the point of leaving the scenario running?

IIRC, they even have some of the "fallen" debris move back in place to show how fake it all was. Could be misremembering, though.

I'm pretty sure it's safe to say it was a simulation

http://tng.trekcore.com/hd/albums/1x19/comingofage_hd_373.jpg

 

[JirinPanthosa]

...Which calls for them to have very detailed records on a young civilian! I'm not sure how the military would figure out my greatest fear, and they'd have a hell of a lot more material available than with Wesley, what with me being about thrice his age, having received military training already, and spending a lot of time online leaving these slime trails.

Timo Saloniemi

Not necessarily. The sort of things we see them figure out for the psych test are nothing that a 'psychic' couldn't figure out through a little Google research and a ten minute conversation with you. Or that a trained negotiator or interrogator couldn't induce.

I am not sure what exactly does the test test.

Since the Academy already know what the applicant's deepest fear is, and it can be something totally unrelated to space operations, isn't the only question left is how much can he/she shit his/her pants?

It tests whether the applicant has the strength of character to act rationally when under strong emotional stress, rather than freezing up.

 

[Tiberius]

And they had built an entire physical set for their test, rather than using holotechnology - how could that affordably be customized for different applicants?

How do you know? All they need to do is get them into a holodeck at some point and they stay in there for a little while, like Ship in a bottle.

 

[Timo]

I'm pretty sure it's safe to say it was a simulation

http://tng.trekcore.com/hd/albums/1x...age_hd_373.jpg

Actually, in the Trek universe, it's the real and physical locations that usually feature matte painting corridors... Say, the engine room of ST:TMP or the Jeffries tubes of TNG.

It tests whether the applicant has the strength of character to act rationally when under strong emotional stress, rather than freezing up.

Makes sense, I guess. Although it could also be that they don't adhere to the "worst fear" criteria too tightly, and instead moderate them towards a scenario that has at least some relevance to Starfleet operations. Fear of fire or darkness or wide spaces or the number 13 is easily accommodated into a scenario of starshipboard distress, say. Fear of clowns or public speaking or tornadoes, less so.

How do you know? All they need to do is get them into a holodeck at some point and they stay in there for a little while, like Ship in a bottle.

But then comes the time for the big reveal. And you don't do it by having the dead men jump up, smiling. You say "Computer, end program".

Either that, or you never reveal it was a simulation. There's no sense in leaving things half-baked and the holosimulation running.

Timo Saloniemi