Alfred H. McPherson, A Creative Strategy for Assuring Success, Vantage, 1992

THE B-D SCALE

 

 

 

 

Position #2, where the E is over the M, is indicative of a high achiever with a low self-concept. He has achieved more than he felt himself capable of, therefore, he is experiencing anxiety about his success. It is a typical successful female or black male position, because generally women and black males are expected to only go so high and in a limited number of occupations. Therefore, the more successful each one of them becomes, the more isolated he or she becomes from the original peer groups. The higher they go, the more isolated they become. Ultimately, considerable stress and duress ensue unless they learn how to effectively reassess their position and keep the M above the E instead of allowing it to fall below.