The Oxford Capacity Test, also known as the Oxford Personality Test or the American Personality Test, is a personality self-assessment tool that has been used by the Church of Scientology since the 1950s. It is based on the work of L. Ron Hubbard and is part of a larger battery of tests that contribute to an individual's overall profile within the religion. The test measures changes in how individuals perceive themselves and can provide insights into their spiritual development and progress within the Scientology cultivation path.
History and Origin
The test's origins can be traced back to the late 1940s when L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology, began developing tools to assess the personality and mental states of his followers. Hubbard recognized that traditional psychological assessments were not as relevant to the spiritual and therapeutic aspects of human life and sought to create a more suitable method for evaluating individuals within the Scientology framework.
In 1950, Hubbard commissioned Julia M. Lewis to develop a personality test that could not only assess personality but also provide insights into an individual's abilities and potential for growth. Lewis's initial attempt, the American Personality Analysis (APA), did not fully meet Hubbard's expectations, so in 1959, he asked Ray Kemp to expand the test's scope. Through a year of work, Kemp crafted the Oxford Capacity Analysis (OCA), which was designed to evaluate a person's capacity for various traits and syndromes rather than just their personality.
Test Format and Questions
The Oxford Capacity Test consists of 200 questions divided into 10 pages, each with three options: "Yes," "No," or "Maybe." The questions are designed to tap into various aspects of an individual's life, including personal values, emotions, relationships, and cognitive abilities.
Example Questions
Here is an example of a question from the test:
Do you find yourself frequently comparing yourself to others to determine your own worth?
This question aims to gauge the individual's sense of self-esteem and their perception of comparison as a means of evaluating personal value.
How the Test Is Conducted
The Oxford Capacity Test can be taken in four distinct ways:
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Mail-In: Individuals can complete the test in its entirety by mailing in the answer sheet. The Church of Scientology provides detailed instructions and answer guides to assist in filling out the form accurately.
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In-Person Test Center: Test-takers may appear at any Church of Scientology facility in the world where a test center is located. An interviewer will guide the test-taker through the questions and record their responses on the test materials.
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Phone App: The Church of Scientology also offers an app version of the test, which can be taken on mobile devices. Test-takers can complete the assessment using the app at their convenience.
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Online Version: There is also an online version of the test, which can be accessed through the Church of Scientology's official website. The online version allows for a more interactive experience and immediate results.
Results and Interpretation
After completing the test, the Church of Scientology generates a personality profile for each individual, which includes scores for each of the 10 traits measured by the OCA. These scores are used to assess an individual's progress and identify areas where they may need support or guidance. The results are not intended to label an individual's personality but rather to provide insights into their spiritual development and how they are interacting with the Church's processes.
Benefits and Usage
The Oxford Capacity Test is primarily used within the Church of Scientology to measure the effects of auditing and other training programs. It is also often used to conduct personality assessments for purposes other than Scientology, such as career development, life planning, and personal growth.
Criticisms and Challenges
Despite its widespread use within the Scientology community, the Oxford Capacity Test has been met with criticism from outside of the organization. Psychologists and other observers have questioned the test's validity due to methodological issues, lack of scientific basis, and potential manipulative techniques employed by trained evaluators.
In 1970, a British psychologist who completed the test expressed concerns about the test's methodology and the way in which it was used:
"The staff member who had scored the inventory expounded the extreme scores with some urgency. He avoided questions on the meaning of the scales, dismissing as irrelevant the trait words at top and bottom; yet he invested the points on the scale with immense importance, almost of a charismatic nature."
These criticisms have led to calls for more rigorous validation of the test and for greater transparency from the Church of Scientology regarding the test's development, methodologies, and outcomes.
Future of the Test
The future of the Oxford Capacity Test is uncertain, as the Church of Scientology continues to evolve and update its approach to personality assessment. While the test may remain a core component of the organization's offerings, there is ongoing discourse about alternative approaches that may provide more scientific backing and improved outcomes for individuals looking to understand and grow their personalities., the Oxford Capacity Test is a personality self-assessment tool that has been closely associated with the Church of Scientology for several decades. Its origins, format, and benefits are well known, but it has also come under scrutiny and criticism, casting a light on the complexities involved in the use of personality assessments within any spiritual practice or organization.
