Kokology: When Is A Door Not A Door?

Kokology- [Japanese, kokoro, mind, spirit, feelings + Greek, logia, the study of] 1. A series of psychological games designed to uncover emotional and behavioral traits of the players  2.  A popular term for the interpretation of the hidden meanings of human behavior and situational responses -- kokologist n -- kokological - adj -- kokologize v

"When we set out to develop Kokology, our first and foremost goal was to make it fun.  After all, who in their right mind would want to play a game that isn't?  The basic concept was already there --- or plan was to create a game where people would imagine themselves in everyday situations and unusual scenarios and respond to simple questions.  The answers are interpreted from a psychological perspective and tell us something about the way that person's mind works.  It's kind of like a Rorschach test that uses words instead of inkblots". -- Tadahiko Nagao

 Eight Tips For Playing Kokology

1. Say the first thing that pops into your head.  The game works best if you don't hesitate or agonize over your choice of words.  There is no right or wrong answer.
2. Play with other people if you can. 
3. Don't try to predict the answer. 
4. Be honest with yourself.  Kokology may be only a game, but like any good game, it can teach you something about yourself if you let it.  Don't be afraid to accept the truth when a minor fault or shortcoming of yours is exposed. 
5. Be prepared.  Some of the quizzes will ask you to write something down or draw a picture, so it's a good idea to have a pen or pencil and some paper handy before you start. 
6. Don't read ahead.  Don't be tempted to skew your answers by peeking at the interpretations.  What fun is that?
7. Watch people's reactions (including your own).
8. Keep an open mind.    As in life, it's important when playing Kokology to keep things in perspective.  There are no correct answers and there is more than one way of reading any situation.   

Kokology, The Game of Self-Discovery by Tadahiko Nagoo and Isamu Saito  ©1998

 When is a door not a door?

It isn't every day that you have the time to take a leisurely stroll around the neighborhood: a stroll without purpose or destination, a chance to stretch your legs, let the mind wander, and get reacquainted with some old familiar sights. On your way, perhaps you'd stop in at a cozy coffee shop, explore the paths of a favorite park, or take the opportunity to do some window-shopping. Then there are those days when it's enough just to let your feet decide your course...

Picture yourself on a stroll through town. The day is beautiful and you're half-lost in a daydream. You turn onto a street that you've never been down before, and as you walk you pass a beautiful house set somewhat back from the street. Pausing a moment to admire the lovely home, you notice the door is half-open. Why is the door ajar?

1. The house is being burglarized.

2. The owner forgot to close it.

3. The owner is inside, sweeping out the entrance way.

Don't read ahead before you make your choice!

Key to When Is a Door Not a Door?

Doors have a twofold significance: they may be passageways, but they can also be barriers as well.  In particular, the front door of a house represents its first line of defense, all that stands between its inhabitants and the uncertainties of the world outside. By imagining open a door that should normally be closed, you envision a scenario of vulnerability and exposure. On a subconscious level, the reason you imagined the door being open is linked to the ways that you leave yourself open and expose your own weaknesses to others.

1. The house is being burglarized.

You instantly assume the worst in any situation, and this trait is nowhere more evident than when things actually do go wrong. You never get flustered in a crisis, but only because you're much too busy panicking. So the next time disaster strikes, it's important to keep a clear head and remember to take a few deep breaths first and count to ten. Then you can faint.

2. The owner forgot to close it.

You aren't the type to get carried away in crisis situations. On the contrary, you're so relaxed that you may not notice a crisis is occurring at all. The mistakes you make are caused more by oversight than bad intentions, but the end results for you (and for people around you) are the same.

3. The owner is inside, sweeping out the entrance way.

You may appear to be a laid-back sort, but you never let your guard down. Achieving that constant state of relaxed alertness is what has made you into the mature individual you are. Of course, you still have your human weaknesses; you just don't put them on display for all the world to see.