Auditory. Visual. Kinesthetic.
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Auditory? Visual? Kinesthetic? What are you? Think of an enjoyable place you visited a while ago. What is the first thing that comes to your mind? The way it looked, the different sounds you heard, or the feeling you had being there? This is one of the questions that can help you determine whether you are more visual, auditory, or kinesthetic.
We don’t all perceive the world in the same fashion. Actually, about 40 percent of the population is more sensitive to sight (visual), 30 to 40 percent reacts more to feeling (kinesthetic), and 20 to 30 percent is more receptive to sound (auditory).
Knowing your own type can, for instance, help you make better use of your memory. I once spent hours taping myself reading history lessons and listening to the tapes in order to memorize them. However, being essentially visual, hearing words on tape didn’t do the trick. It took a lot of effort and produced very little results. For me, it wasn’t an efficient way to retain knowledge. Later on, I decided to organize my art history notes into large charts with different colors. During the test, I just had to close my eyes, visualize the colors and basically read the notes from memory. It was so easy it felt like cheating!
It is also important to understand that the people around you may have a different perception of the same reality. In our society, most of the communications are intended for the visual type. This leaves out 60 percent of the population who may have difficulty remembering things without knowing why.
When little Joe learned to read, even though his vision and hearing were adequate, he had tremendous difficulty understanding the different letters. Fortunately a smart teacher realized Joe was very kinesthetic and that he needed to “feel” the letters. She wrote them on his back and Joe quickly learned his alphabet.
The test below will help you identify whether you are primarily visual, auditory or kinesthetic. You can also notice how people around you express themselves, and their choice of words will give you clues. Specific expressions like “That looks good to me”, “It rings a bell”, or “It doesn’t feel right” could respectively reveal visual, auditory, or kinesthetic tendencies, when the same kind of communication is used often.
By being aware of how you perceive the world, and sensitive to others’ perceptions, you can make everybody’s life easier, especially yours!
Are you visual, auditory or kinesthetic? Take the test!
Select the answer that best applies to you.
1. If I have to learn how to do something, I learn best when I:
a. Watch someone show me how.
b. Hear someone tell me how.
c. Try to do it myself.
2. When I spell, I verify accuracy by:
a. Looking at the word to see if it looks correct.
b. Sounding the word out in my head.
c. Getting a feeling about the correctness of the spelling.
3. When I read, I often find that I:
a. Visualize what I am reading in my mind's eye.
b. Read out loud or hear the words inside my head.
c. Fidget and try to "feel" the content.
4. When I think of a wonderful place I have visited, the very first experience I remember is:
a. The way the place looked.
b. The way it sounded.
c. The feeling I got by being there.
5. When asked to give directions, I:
a. See the actual places in my mind as I say them or prefer to draw them.
b. Have no difficulty giving then verbally.
c. Have to point or move my body as I give them.
6. Thinking of someone I have been immensely drawn to, the first thing that attracted me to this person is:
a. The way he or she looked.
b. Something he or she said to me, or something I heard.
c. The way he or she touched me, or something I felt.
7. When I have to remember a list of items, I remember them best if I:
a. Write them down.
b. Repeat them over and over to myself.
c. Move around and use my fingers to name each item.
8. When I make decisions, it helps to:
a. Picture the possible choices in my mind's eye.
b. Hear both sides of a dialogue in my mind.
c. Check out how I feel with my different choices.
9. When solving a problem, I:
a. Write or draw diagrams to see it.
b. Talk myself through it.
c. Use my entire body or move objects to help me think.
10. When I love someone, I enjoy mostly:
a. The way we look together.
b. The sound of saying or hearing the words "I love you".
c. The love I feel all through me.
11. To keep occupied while waiting, I:
a. Look around, stare, or read.
b. Talk or listen to others.
c. Walk around, manipulate things with my hands, or move or shake my feet while sitting.
12. When I am adding numbers, I verify my answer by:
a. Looking at the numbers to see if they are correct.
b. Counting the numbers in my head.
c. Using my fingers to get a feel if it is correct.
13. When trying to recall names, I remember:
a. Faces more easily than names.
b. Names more easily than faces.
c. The situation or the meeting more easily than names or faces.
14. When I exercise, I experience satisfaction when I first:
a. See myself in the mirror getting better.
b. Hear myself or others describe the changes I have made.
c. Feel my body get stronger and feel it more in shape.
15. During moments of intimacy, I enjoy:
a. Seeing my lover's face.
b. Hearing my lover's voice.
c. Getting lost in the sensation.
16. When I am about to buy an article of clothing, I:
a. Take another look at it and picture myself wearing it.
b. Have a conversation with myself over the pros and cons of buying it.
c. Get a feeling about it or touch it to find out if it's something I'd enjoy wearing.
17. Before going to sleep at night, I appreciate if:
a. The room is dark.
b. The room is quiet.
c. The bed feels comfortable.
18. When I think of a former lover, the very first thing I remember is:
a. The way he or she looked.
b. His or her voice.
c. The way I felt about him or her.
19. I find easier to be with my friends when:
a. They communicate their views clearly.
b. Their voice tones are pleasing and I know they are listening to me.
c. I get a feeling they know where I am coming from.
20. For me, the beach is:
a. The look of the beach, the sun's brightness, the blue water and sky.
b. The sound of the surf, distant voices, children playing.
c. The feel of the warm sun, the hot sand, the cool water.
21. When people turn me off, I get an immediate experience of dislike when I:
a. See them approach.
b. Hear their voice.
c. Sense they are nearby.
22. I know my career is progressing when:
a. I see myself moving ahead.
b. I hear positive feedback from my superiors.
c. I feel my promotion was well deserved.
Results
a:________ (Visual)
b:________ (Auditory)
c:________ (Kinesthetic)
Return from
Auditory Visual
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Motivation Information
or to
Mind Test.
