The Australian Life Mission Test ALMT

"Costello and Cassel say that by tracking the brain's responses using biofeedback, it is possible to determine the degree to which a person's "life mission" is being fulfilled. They argue that most successful people are able to combine work and play in satisfying that mission"
--(David James, Business Reviwe Weekly 1992).

Probably one of the most asked questions that we come across in our life - is "what do you want to do - where do you want to be.

Now, thanks to a simple, computerised biofeedfack program called the Australian Life Mission Test, we can get an idea of what we should be doing and where we should be going.

Developed by two of the world’s leading computerised biofeedback experts - Dr Russ Cassell from California and Dr Brian Costello, from Victoria, Australia, and backed by more than 20 years of statistical research and data, the Australian Life Mission Test (ALMT) prognosticates reliable indications of (right brain) affective components of career posture, a capacity only marginally available until now. Self-realization potentialities are discriminated readily, including choices to be avoided. The ALMT is usually administered with the companion test ACVII (Australian Computerised Vocational Interest Inventory, 4th Edn 1992), a three times validated and published questionaire for left brain career assessment, also developed by Dr Costello.

Dr Costello says the health of the brain is becoming an increasingly important factor in everyday life. Australian-born Dr Brian Costello says all public health research funds in the US are now tied to "global functioning"; a criteria that involves and measures mental as well as physical health.

An Historical Concept Of Job Security:

"Ultimately, our changing economic and social conditions are going to be a major influence. There is a trend towards people making significant career changes in life, and the concept of security was born out of the 1930's depression and World War II. This concept needs to be re-examined in its significance on career decisions. Younger people are placing less value on security."
--(Costello, 1979).

What is the unconscious and how does it really relate to our purpose in life? Are we now considering a different approach to understanding the unconscious when considering research by the Australian, Sir John Eccles? (whose scientific achievements were taught in school history books by the author in 1962). The "unconscious mind" is not a gremlin who awakens in our sleeping hours and is not solely discovered through "Freudian Slips" or the psychologist's ink blot tests. Do we dare to dream or even, "Wish Upon A Star" or do we suffer sleep disturbance about our job which ultimately affects our lifestyle and future?

"Today, the education system perhaps is not as clear-cut in determining career paths as it was in the past. The proliferation of colleges of advanced education has meant that people from all socio-economic levels have far greater flexibility in choice of post-secondary pursuits than they did in the past. One distinct advantage of this is that people are no longer locked into a tight system from the age of 14 or 15 years onwards. As they mature and their interests develop, they still have plenty of choice left open to them."
--(Costello, 1979).

With respect to Freud's initial contribution to modern psychology, it was however Carl Gustav Jung who brought another dimension to the objective interpretation of the unconscious. He discovered the "complex", where almost imperceptible physical changes such as respiration and heart rate are involuntary (Costello 1979, 1987 American Psychological Association New York). Modern psychology taught psychologists how to discover a "complex". Now, modern technology through computerised biofeedback, enables us to identify and determine the valence for feelings of anxiety/excitation, defined by Leon Festinger in his research on cognitive dissonance (Harvard, 1974).

There are three statistical validations (1987-1994). The following research data summarises the first 1987 study. Test Construction:

The ALMT (Computerised Biofeedback) emerged as standardized results of the ACVII (left-brain), were being documented in 1987-91. ALMT was published because documentation included a factor analysis of a 56 x 56 correlation matrix on 330 cases was found to display unusual conciseness and clarity of concept among career pattern responses (Cassel & Costello, 1992). It was constructed by replacing ACVII career relevant questions with picture slide exposures of career scenes, substituting (left-brain) pencilled responses with (right-brain) neural measurements. ALMT and ACVII are thus companion tests.

The non-verbal test is free of many literacy limitations, and from "slanting" information through answers to questions. The picture stimuli are screened by a carousel projector. A modification has been achieved when using a video tape, exactly duplicating the same pictures. The neural (biofeedback) data are entered through the Biosensor Unit; a dedicated specialized piece of interfaced electronic equipment. The software displays and prints out neural data and narrative cluster analysis reports related to norms (already established on the computer) screen for the client/patient under examination.

Individuals taking the ALMT are presented with 8 carefully selected pictures of people involved in typical activity for each of 14 different career areas. While the individual is viewing each picture for a 10 second period of time, he/she is asked to rate silently on a ten point scale how well the activity is considered as a job. During the evaluation process, four of the neural functions being assessed are recorded in the computer memory where a "G" depicts emotions, an "E" shows degree of muscle tension, a "T" represents the "fight or flight" or emergency state, and a "P" reflects the perceived stress load. The four biofeedback instruments measuring those functions are:

1. GSR - Galvanic skin conductance (emotional lability).
2. EMG - Electromyograph (tension of striated muscles).
3. TEM - Finger temperature (sympathetic syndrome presence).
4. PUL - Pulse rate (perceived stress load).

Each one of the 14 different career areas is believed to have independence of organisation within the purview of the two different related fields as shown below (Costello, 1990). Precisely the same 14 career areas are included in The Australian Career Interest Inventory (ACVII). This test deals with the conscious side of one's brain (the cognitive area) and is designed as a companion offering in providing an individual objective evidence for use in the life mission discovery. Considering both sides of the brain, dominant and non-dominant responses must be assessed when discovering one's life mission (Edwards, 1979). The 14 career interest areas are as follows:

1. MACHINE & MECHANICAL
2. SCIENTIFIC & ASSESSMENT.
3. EDUCATION & SOCIAL SCIENCE.
4. MEDICAL & HEALTH SERVICES.
5. CLERICAL & BUSINESS.
6. MANAGEMENT & SUPERVISION.
7. AGRICULTURE & LIFE SCIENCE.
8. PERFORMING ARTS & AESTHETICS
9. CRAFTS & TRADES.
10. LAW ENFORCEMENT & MILITARY.
11. MARKETING & SALES.
12. LABOUR & ELEMENTAL.
13. ENGINEERING & PHYSICAL SCIENCE.
14. COMMUNICATION & TRANSPORTATION.

It has been reliably stated that in computerised biofeedback, "One picture is worth a thousand words" (Cassel, 1991b). By the use of carefully selected pictures that are systematically organised for 14 career areas, visual images are created when the individual is asked to assess these silently on a ten point scale. The higher values on the scale, 8, 9, and 10 are given for the best liked pictures; while the lowest positions on the scale (1. 2. and 3) are given for activities least liked. The mid positions on the scale, 4, 5, 6 and 7, represent neutral ratings for pleasing careers.

A change in bodily reaction is always accompanied by a corresponding change in the mind, and conversely a change in the mind is similarly accompanied by a change in physiological reactions. The thoughts of the individual while viewing and evaluating a particular slide create changes in feelings. By the use of biofeedback designed for precise measurement, those neural functions created by the imagery are assessed and converted to a standard measurement ranging from 20 to 80, and then stored in the computer memory files. The peripheral temperature of the finger which measures the presence of sympathetic pattern --fight or flight-- is reversed; so that all higher ratings depict increased neural functioning. Since all biofeedback scores are converted to an equal scale ranging from 20 to 80, they are made equal for comparisons. As the individual contemplates on the rating being made, these actual "neuropsychological thought ratings" are stored in the computer memory, and are later printed out for the individual's ALMT profile.

Neuropsychological Functioning

Arousal level refers to the degree of activation of the various physiological systems of the body, in response to the psychological state being created by the individual making the ratings, and which are referred to as "neural functions". High arousal is characterised by heightened muscle tension (EMG), increased heart rate (PULSE) and blood pressure, greater stress hormone output or emotions (GSR), and generally, a dominance of the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system (TEM); sometimes referred to as "a fight/flight" emergency state."

Neural functions are transient, dynamic, and fleeting but because of the strong veto power of the dominant brain, they are often not accessible for self insight (Festinger, 1957). Clearly, the most critical element in discovering one's mission in life deals with harmony in general neural functioning. Whenever one experiences stimuli that evoke recollections, sometimes only by the non-dominant brain, plausibly the body reacts to defend the individual against the traumatic unpleasantness or on reflection is reinforced by conditioned pleasant feelings. The use of career action based pictures serves as an excellent means to elicit such dissonance reactions. Through the use of modern technology we are able to capture responses and later make use of findings in effective guidance programs (Jung, 1976). Real and meaningful self understanding requires that one considers both the conscious as well as the unconscious neural functioning as the best promise for discovering one's own life mission.

In 1975, health care research at Bethesda Maryland discovered the presence of "endorphins" in the human body, which served as the basis for neural functioning. These molecular neuro-transmitters are the connecting link between our mind and body. Carrying the messages back and forth between brain and body, the small go-between molecules of 50 to 100 histochemicals known now as neuro-transmitters/neuro-regulators are instantaneous messengers. The discovery of neuro-regulators' influence on 21st century health care will compare with the influence of DNA research on 20th century biology. The mind and body constantly chatters back and forth using this vocabulary of neuropeptides, catecholamines or nitric oxides and it is from this direct interaction that the four neural functions used in ALMT are born viz, emotions, tensions, emergency state, and perceived stress load.

Success In Determining The Life Mission

The single central focus of one's life mission is aligned with activity that serves to yield fulfilment of purpose, and generally is associated with fostering feelings of well-being (Cassel, 1954). The actual discovery of one's mission in life contributes more to personal happiness and real joy in living than anything in a whole lifetime. There is mounting evidence that frequently the real health care problem arises from failure to discover one's life mission and consequent general monotony in living. It is clear that any effective health care global strategy must consider the relevance of one's mission in life as being crucial to wellness. This means that attention must be given to helping individuals discover their own life mission as an integral aspect of the health care strategy as part of the planned intervention strategies (Cassel, 1991a).

"Success in life will be assisted by careful considerations. When people end up in jobs where they have little opportunity to express themselves, be creative, and utilize their abilities and aptitudes, they are doomed to anxiety, frustration or boredom. Discontentment with one's job and knowing that one has little opportunity to move from one job to another, can often find expression in poor family relationships, negative attitude towards the spouse, marriage breakdown, anger towards society in general, and not uncommonly, an excessive use of alcohol or drugs. How many of us would be suited to another career?

"Those who have made poor career choices are left little opportunity for expansion or sideways movement. They often become locked in a self-perpetuating reality which becomes too painful to bear."
--(Costello, 1979).

Facilitated Discovery

The discovery of one's mission in life is much like a dream come true. Seldomly does this occur by accident or chance. Typically, people who are successful in finding their mission early in life attribute the discovery to a careful search which often involves a kind of testing experiences. In this approach they seek to find activity that produces personal satisfaction which contributes significantly to their own personal fulfilment. Not unlike the rat in the maze, they seek to follow leads that produce satisfaction, and minimise their efforts in areas that fail (Cassel, 1986).

The Dynamic Nature Of Work Interest

Particularly in adolescent developmental stages, logical career interests often change from day-to-day, and more importantly from year-to-year. Because of this dynamic nature of interests, as well as potential job opportunities, one should always consider two and even three or four higher level logical interest areas as being significant. More often than not the significant interest areas have much in common. Because of this change repeated administration of interest assessment including one's life mission are recommended.

"Current ideas and vocational guidance indicate that many people choose several occupations during their lifetime. Certainly our interests change and you can imagine how differently choices vary with age. Parents career interests might alter greatly during the next 5-10 years of the student's life. This implies justified criticism of some psychological tests."
--(Costello, 1979).

Standardisation Group

The standardisation of The Australian Life Mission Test (ALMT) was accomplished by use of two separate groups, all of whom were citizens of or lived in Australia. The two groups were described as: (1) Adult Group, and (2) Youth Group (21 and under). For the most part the ALMT was administered as a portion of vocational or career guidance, used as a means to help individuals to make career and/or occupational choices.

Total Group

The statistical data for the most part is based on the total group which included both the youth and adult members. The sample included 144 female members ranging in age from 11 to 67 years, with a M age of 31.13 and with a SD of 13.08. There were 186 male members ranging in age from 13 to 78 years of age with a M age of 32.84 and with a SD of 14.24.

The Life Mission Test ALMT
A Comparison Between Male & Female Test Results
(Computerised Neuropsychological Biofeedback)

Brian R. Costello, Ph.D.