Professional Counseling for Individuals, Couples, Children & Adolescents
Yin Yang Questionnaire
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Oriental wisdom suggests that all matter is made of yang (masculine) and
yin (feminine) qualities. People need to learn to balance their masculine
and feminine characteristics because when these two opposing forces are
not in harmony, discord results. In some circles, the vital yang approach
has become politically incorrect and individuals may try to deny it within
themselves. However, awareness of and ability to use both yin and yang
qualities must be fostered to achieve full maturity.
| Yin |
Yang |
-
Diffuse awareness
-
Dark, wet, mysterious
-
Desire to merge, unite
-
Forms selective attachments
-
Protects, nourishes, breeds
-
Restrains as it embraces
-
Preserves beauty and
integrity of others
-
Pure form: nothing moves,
lacks all initiative
|
-
Focused concentration
-
Bright, dry, warm
-
Desire to penetrate and
explore
-
Incapable of commitment
-
Fertilizes, creates
-
Explosive, daring, independent
-
Delighted with its own power,
and is unaware of limitations
-
Pure form: rapes and
plunders everything in its path
|
Directions: To discover if your approach is primarily yin, yang, or both, mark the side of the chart that best describes the way you operate or view life.
Mark both sides of the chart for any items in which either approach is
comfortable for you. Total the number of items you mark in each column.
Discuss ratings with your partner to enhance the validity of the scores and
to increase awareness of changes you could make to better balance yin
and yang qualities in yourself.
Yin Approach |
Yang Approach |
Accepts differences.
Looks at all the angles.
Uses creative and diffuse thinking
style.
Finds that logic balances and
connects ideas.
Relies on intuition.
Waits for decisions to come.
Learns through observation and
experience.
Values process over product.
Seeks meaning.
Values unseen accomplishments
like touching a life.
Sees death as a part of life.
Is people-oriented.
Puts others’ needs first.
Places relationships before goals.
Believes relationships bring new
opportunities.
Experiences love as an energy flow.
Communicates to connect.
Connects through sharing thoughts
and feelings.
Negotiates to appease.
Seeks consensus in groups.
Sees power as strength, flexibility,
and self-control
Strives to change self.
Finds rank, order, and position
unimportant.
Sees responsibility as the ability to
respond.
Believes:
Good leaders delegate power &
facilitate others.
Healers facilitate the natural healing
process.
Rules serve the needs of the
individual and can be interpreted on
a case-by-case basis.
Each person must discover what is
right or moral for him or herself.
Time is “organic” and adjusts to
individual needs and schedules.
Natural resources, plants and
animals require attention and
protection.
Science promotes understanding of
and living in harmony with the
universe.
Maturity is achieved by integrating
Yin/yang energies. |
Judges superior and inferior, right and wrong.
Focuces on relevant data.
Uses direct and logical thinking style.
Uses logic as a tool to explain and
convince.
Relies on senses.
Makes decisions and is decisive.
Learns through exploration & taking
things apart.
Values success and production
Seeks accomplishments.
Values tangible accomplishments
like production and promotions.
Believes accomplishments survive
one’s death.
Is task-oriented
Puts own needs first.
Places goals before relationships.
Believes relationships require
sacrifice.
Experiences love as an exchange of
gifts.
Communicates to exchange ideas.
Connects through sharing activities.
Negotiates to win.
Seeks majority rule.
Sees power as command, control,
and influence.
Tries to change others.
Respects rank, order and position.
Sees responsibility as accountability.
Believes:
Good leaders are a source of
strength & authority.
Healers identify problems &
prescribe remedies.
Rules serve the needs of society
and should be followed to the letter
of the law.
There are fixed standards of right
and wrong towards which everyone
should strive.
Time is “fixed” and personal
schedules should be adjusted for
punctuality.
Natural resources, plants and
animals exist to serve human needs.
Science enables better control of
the Universe.
Maturity is measured by successes,
accomplish-ments and respect from
others. |
Reference
The “White Male System” and the “Female System” described in Woman’s
Reality by Anne Schaef (Minnesota: Winston Press, 1981) were used in
creating this chart.
