Scientology's Oxford Capacity Analysis

“Free Personality Testing – Come this way!” read the sign out front of Scientology’s Castlereagh Street headquarters.

Entering a galley of gleaming video screens and well-stocked bookshelves, I had the distinct feeling of being in a science fiction museum, or the control deck of a 1960’s space ship.

Approaching swiftly from starboard, a smiling, and snappily dressed attendant, offered help.

She led me past the roped off office of church founder, L. Ron Hubbard. Presumably, the great man beams in from out-of-galaxy from time to time.

Soon, I was facing Scientology’s Oxford Capacity Analysis personality test: a battery of 200 questions asking how I “feel RIGHT NOW” about a range of issues.

"Do you get occasional twitches of your muscles

Brushing off my queries, Scott probed for weaknesses. Do you have some things on your mind? Have you had something bad happen to you? Do you have any memories of sad experiences?

Sure, I said, but doesn’t everybody?

I was being argumentative, Scott explained, due to my extremely critical nature, as revealed by the test. Corralled by circular logic, further resistance seemed futile.

So we left it there. And, following my diagnosis as a suicidal, irresponsible, hysterical nervous wreck, Scott and I had a nice chat, shook hands, and then he let me loose on central Sydney.

Plainly in need of a second opinion, I sought the advice of Scientology's Brisbane branch. Disastrously, the results were nearly identical. Confirmation!

Moreover, the test administrator, *Liz, claimed the test was developed by Oxford University. Challenging Liz on this, she encouraged me to check online.

So I did. Alas, the test was not developed by Oxford University at all, but by L. Ron Hubbard followers Julian Lewis and Ray Kemp in the 1950's. Panned by many psychology organisations as manipulative and unethical, the Oxford Capacity Analysis is not even scientifically