Blogs: Fill In the Oval Office

PT bloggers put the presidential candidates to the test.

By Matthew Hutson, published on September 01, 2008 - last reviewed on June 10, 2009

We asked PT's bloggers (check them out at blogs.psychologytoday.com) what test they'd like to give the presidential candidates. The standard IQ or Rorschach? Maybe a turn on Survivor? Here's a sampling of their ideas.

Gear Switch

Leaders need to realize when they're wrong and change paths accordingly. I would ask them to solve five problems. The first four would be similar but the last would be very different. How long do they keep trying to apply the approach from the first set, and when do they look for a new approach? —Dan Ariely (Predictably Irrational)

Daddy Dearest

I'd like to see how they'd deal with their own 2-year-old having a meltdown in a public place. —Hara Estroff Marano (Nation of Wimps)

King of Cloud Nine

Let's administer a happiness inventory. Happy people are more productive, creative, charitable, energetic, friendly, and healthy. They set higher goals, cope better with challenges, and suffer burnout less. Of course Lincoln was depressed and Bush appears staunchly optimistic, but happiness plus realism helps you realize your dreams. —Sonja Lyubomirsky (How of Happiness)

Heart to Heart

I'd test their emotional intelligence. Research has shown that emotions are central to good decision-making. Also, EI is thought to assist interpersonal and communication skills. We need a president with a high "EQ" to help rebuild America's reputation around the world. —Daisy Grewal (Sexual Stereotypes)

Under Fire

How do they respond to provocation? Harvard psychiatrist Daniel Funkenstein was famous for his "stress interviews." He might ask someone to open a window—one that had been nailed shut. Once frustrated, the subjects were rated on such dimensions as hostility to others and self-criticism. —Peter D. Kramer (In Practice)

Marshmallows, Now

I propose a variation of the "Marshmallow Test"—giving them the choice of receiving a smaller reward (e.g., a marshmallow) immediately or a larger reward (e.g., several pieces of candy) later. The ability to delay gratification is associated with academic performance, self-esteem, use of reason, the ability to plan ahead, the ability to cope, and interpersonal functioning. —Bernardo Carducci (Breaking the Ice)

Straight Talk Express

I would sit them down with Jon Stewart for a two-hour live interview. Sadly, none of the other news anchors seem as interested in getting rid of BS answers. —Joseph Dumit (Promiscuous Facts)