#so inheriting a trust of adler could explain that | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

my-funky-little-cowboy · 4 years ago

Text

@johnmarston I was your secret santa for @rdr-secret-santa I know I’m super late on this, but holidays are a mess here. I hope you enjoy, I wrote kind of a pre-relationship AU thing for Sadie and Arthur in a timeline where the gang went west after Colter.

The Inheritance

Summary: Sadie comes across what could be a really good score, but it means she needs to pretend to be someone else. The gang gives her the go-ahead to follow up, but only if she takes someone along as back up, and may be Hosea knows exactly what he was doing. Relationship: Sadithur (if you squint) Characters: Sadie Adler, Arthur Morgan, Hosea Matthews (minor), Dutch Van der Linde (minor) Themes: Two broken idiots catch feels, heists Words: 6,162 SFW [ ko-fi] || [ ao3 ]

The snow had started to fall as Sadie reached the outskirts of the small town, she dug her heels into Bob’s flanks and hurried up the road, hoping to escape the worst of the storm. Finding a small stable she stopped to see if there was space to put Bob up for the night, the stablehand gladly taking her money and directing her to the saloon.

Sadie welcomed the warmth as she pushed her way into the building, it buzzed with patrons looking to unwind and, like her, escape the cold. She shook the snow from her coat as she walked through the door and found a spot at the bar. Ordering a drink and some food she settled down at a quiet table near the back. While this hasn’t been an intended stop on her scouting trip, she was here and might as well see if there was any cash worth taking for the gang.

She had finished her meal when two men settled at a table near her. Nursing her drink as the men carried on, both of them locals. Sadie had all but written them off as she finished her drink, annoyed that she had wasted her time listening when one of the men asked a question that piqued her interest.

“So, still no word from any of her family?” He took another swig from his bottle and the other man shook his head. “Such a shame, she ain’t got anyone else?”

“Not that anyone can seem to remember. Just her daughter. Will’s been gone, hell, seven years now. God rest him. Miss Maggie moved away before that. We sent word to her, but no response yet.”

“Hell, at this rate we ain’t gonna be able to bury her proper ‘til the ground thaws.” The first man grumbled. “That’s the problem with money. Makes everything take longer.”

Sadie turned slightly to look at the men, taking them both in with a quick glance. An interesting score, but Hosea and the gang may want to hear about this.

The man laughed, raising his glass. “Ain’t that the truth!”

The conversation drifted between a few other topics, occasionally returning to the late Missus Mary Gunderson, as Sadie would come to learn. She pushed herself up from her table, the men having taken their leave for a round of cards. She glanced outside, the snow really having begun to fall, and made her way to ask about a room for the night.

Sadie thanked the young woman who had shown her to her room and closed the door. She draped her coat over a nearby chair and put her gun belt on the seat before taking a seat on the bed. She took a small notebook out of her bag and wrote down what she had heard before putting the journal back into her bag.

Sadie kicked off her boots and laid back on the bed. She thought about what Hosea and the others may have to say about this kind of job.

It had been nearly a year that she had been running with them, all of them trying to run from their past, getting lost in the wild of the west. She closed her eyes, willing herself to sleep, wanting to get on the road early and get back to camp.

-- ❖ --

The sun hadn’t risen yet when Sadie opened her eyes, that pale grey light of pre-dawn giving her just enough light to make out the room. She went about getting ready and collecting her gear, moving out the door and down the stairs into the quiet saloon.

Giving a quick wave to the owner she tightened her coat around her waist and stepped out into the cold morning air. The snow made the walk to the stables a bit more difficult, but she got there eventually. She pushed open the barn door and found Bob in one of the stalls.

Getting him saddled up and paying the stablehand for a few extra provisions, she mounted up and they started on their way back to camp.The trip took most of the day, but Bob picked up the pace as they neared the familiar entrance to camp.

“Who’s there?” A gruff voice called through the trees.

“Sadie.” She answered.

“Well, welcome home, missus Adler.” Arthur replied, appearing from behind a tree, a repeater held loosely in his hand. “Find us anything good?”

She pulled back on the reins and Bob slowed to a stop, she thumbed over her shoulder at the small doe slung over Bob’s back she had managed to snag along the way.

Arthur gave her a quick nod and waved her in before disappearing again among the trees. She rode into camp and got Bob settled, removing his tack and pulling the doe off his back when Charles walked by and offered to help. She accepted, excited to share her findings, and let him take the carcass to Pearson as she put her tack away and went off to find Hosea and Dutch.

She found them chatting quietly in Dutch’s tent, both of them looking up as she approached.

“Missus. Adler, you’re back. We’re glad you’re safe.” Dutch said, pushing up from his chair. “If you’ll excuse me, I have to go talk to John about a job.” He gave them both a quick nod and ducked out of the tent, disappearing into the growing darkness.

“I think I may have found us something as well.” She said. Hosea waved her into the tent and she took a seat across from him.

“Let’s hear it!” He clapped excitedly.

Sadie started the story of the poor woman who had died, leaving behind a sizable inheritance. The only living family that anyone seemed to have known was a daughter that married and left town a long time ago.

Hosea rubbed his chin and she continued, explaining how they had sent a letter out, she wasn’t exactly sure when, but had yet to hear from the daughter. Hosea sat forward, resting his arms on his knees, his fingers laced together and cradling his head.

“It doesn’t seem like many people remember quite what Maggie looks like, so I thought maybe I go to town, pretending I’m her and collect on that inheritance. Money seems easy enough.” She shrugged.

Hosea was quiet a moment as he took it all in, a smile cracking on his face.

“You’d think you’d been an outlaw all your life, missus Adler! You should follow up on that. We will see if we can’t send someone to retrieve that letter.” He paused. “Take Arthur with you, you’re supposed to be a married woman after all.”

Hosea gave her a knowing look as she opened her mouth to argue.

“It’s not because I don’t trust you, just think you could use some back up.” He explained and looked down at her travel clothes. “And see if one of the other ladies can’t lend you a dress. It doesn’t have anything to do with your normal attire, just, the less you stick out, the easier to go undetected.” He held up his hand as he explained.

“I have my own dresses.” She said dryly.

Hosea had a point, she thought, it would be best to have the back up. And what married woman wouldn’t travel with her husband? She told him she would get things ready before talking to Arthur. Hosea laughed and shook his head, she knew Arthur well enough to have it all ready to go before asking, so he couldn’t say no.

She made her way over to the ladies’ wagon, setting down her things. She found Abigail darning some socks and Jack playing quietly with Sean, the bottom of a rather lumpy snowman between them. Gathering together a few items, she pulled a bag from the back of the wagon and began to pack.

“You finally come to your senses and gettin’ away from us rag-tag band of outlaws?” Abigail joked, putting down her work and pointing to Sadie’s bag.

“Sorry, but you lot are stuck with me it seems, don’t see myself livin’ some peaceful city life.” Sadie laughed and shook her head. “Hosea is sending Arthur and I to check out a lead in a town not far from here.”

“Well, I’m happy to hear you’re stickin’ around.” Abigail smiled, she put the sock away and stretched her arms above her head. “I’d miss ya if you left.”

Abigail looked down to Sean and Jack playing near the horses, deciding she could leave him be while she got them both some food. She stood and walked off, leaving Sadie to her packing.

The sun set and the cool wind blew through the camp. The gang gathering together near a few of the fires burning around camp, the soft sounds of Uncle’s banjo carrying through the crisp air. Sadie finished up her packing and joined the gang near the fire.

A heated discussion had started about whether or not Sean could actually beat Jack in a shooting contest. Which had started as a joke from John that Sean had taken offense to, and now John had put money on his son winning, the rest of the gang jumping at the chance. Abigail quickly put an end to the silliness.

Sadie shook her head as the boys settled down, each returning to their food and drink and lighter conversation. She looked around, not seeing Arthur around the fire. She finished her meal and stood up, figuring he would be off by the horses or still out on guard duty, she set off into the darkness to find him.

-- ❖ --

Arthur slung the repeaters over his shoulder and rubbed his hands together, shaking the cold out as he headed back toward the camp. His stomach growled as the light from the campfires came into view.

He dropped the repeater off near one of the wagons and headed for off to get himself some food before wandering over to the small fire near the horses, preferring to be alone as the sound of Sean and John going at it reached him.

He ate quickly, the warmth of the stew thawing him out. The arguing had died down, replaced with the soft strum of the guitar and he looked over at the gang, debating whether he should make an appearance when he saw Sadie approaching.

“Missus Adler.” He greeted her and she shook her head in mild annoyance, he was always so damn polite.

“I’ve told you damn near a hundred times, call me Sadie.”

He didn’t respond, but he didn’t get up either, allowing her to join him at the fire.

“Hosea said you should come with me on a little job.” She held her hands over the fire.

“Oh yeah?” He looked up at her, reaching down and pulling a log from the nearby pile and tossing it into the fire.

“Yeah. It’s nothing too dangerous, but he still said I should take you, as back-up.” She continued. “There’s a small town, about a day’s ride from here. Some rich old widow died, they ain’t been able to find her daughter, and she apparently had a bit of money to her name.”

Arthur raised an eyebrow.

“So, what, I’m supposed to be your doting husband?” He chuckled, standing up.

“That was the plan.” Sadie turned toward him.

“How long you suppose this is gonna take?”

Arthur held his hands out over the fire, curious about the idea of another con. It had been a while since they had done something so theatrical. Hell, it may have even been since he and Hosea had to abandon that job in Blackwater since they ran a true scam.

“Won’t know for sure until we get there.”

Arthur rubbed his chin. No use arguing with Hosea. Plus, Sadie didn’t exactly get on with most of the other men in camp. It’d been rather dull around here, what the hell.

“When we leavin’?” He hooked his thumbs into his belt.

“I think we should head out tomorrow, Hosea will be sendin’ someone out to look for that letter. We can get settled and check out the town.” Sadie settled down near the fire, the warmth from the flames soothing her stiff muscles from the day’s ride.

“Right then.” He sighed. “I’ll meet you by the horses tomorrow.” He excused himself and disappeared into the night.

-- ❖ --

The sun was just coming up over the horizon when the smell of coffee drifted through camp, waking Sadie up. She stretched and slid off her cot, pulling on her boots and coat she slipped out of the tent. The camp was still quiet and the cold night air bit at her nose. She found Arthur already enjoying some coffee and a bowl of stew by the fire.

“Ready to head out?” She knelt down and poured herself a coffee.

“Sure.” He finished off his coffee, shaking out his cup and putting it away. “I’ll get the horses ready, get yourself some food. It’s a long ride, right?”

Sadie gave him a small smile and nodded. Arthur gave her a wave over his shoulder as he left. She drank her coffee and prepared herself a bowl of stew, pulling some oregano from her satchel and sprinkled it into the bowl. Finding a spot near one of the fires she enjoyed the stillness of the camp as she finished eating, soaking up as much of the fire’s heat as she could before the long ride.

Arthur found the horses grazing near the edge of camp, Bodicea looking up as he approached , she whinnied happily as he reached her. He gave her a quick pat on the neck and got her saddled up before moving over to Bob, giving him a small treat before working to get him ready.

The sun had pushed up just over the horizon when they finally got on the road, Sadie leading the way. They rode in a comfortable silence for a while, each of them lost in their own thoughts. Occasionally Sadie swore she heard Arthur humming a tune to himself. It was early afternoon when they stopped to let the horses drink and rest a bit, Arthur took it upon himself to build them a small fire.

He held his hands over the fire, letting the feeling return to his fingers. Reaching into his satchel and pulling out a couple pieces of jerky, he offered a piece to Sadie.

“So, we gonna have a story?” He took a bite off the jerky as Sadie took the other piece.

“We’re a married couple, at least 7 years now. Moved west looking to start your own stables, but working as a farrier until we can save enough. I’m teaching at the local schoolhouse. No kids.” She took a bite from the jerky and looked up at Arthur, who was staring at her.

“Oh, that it?” He said sarcastically. “You got a last name worked up for all that story?” He shook his head in disbelief. Sadie rolled her eyes.

“Thought I’d run those by you.” She snapped back at him playfully, and Arhur shot her a quick glare.

“I was thinkin’ either Colt or Cooper.” She continued. “They seem generic enough, and we won’t have something silly, like Sadie Smith. Or, I guess it’d be Maggie, Maggie Smith.”

Arthur laughed, a deep and genuine sound. Sadie hadn’t heard that laugh from him in a long time, usually reserved for smaller groups. Quiet nights around the fire in the early hours, thoughts clouded by liquor. She chuckled along with him

“Let’s go with Cooper.” He finally said. “I like the sound of that, Sadie Cooper.” The smile still playing on his lips.

Sadie told him a bit more about the situation. The information she had gathered from locals. Arthur asked her if they had a place to stay and Sadie told him there were rooms available above the saloon. They talked out a plan for their initial introductions before agreeing it was time to get back on the road.

The sun was beginning to set when they arrived in town, Sadie led them to the saloon, the snow had started to fall again dusting the main road.

��Can you go in and get us a room for the foreseeable future? I’m going to see about getting the horses some water.”

Arthur nodded, sliding out of the saddle. “Sure thing, boss.” He shot her a sarcastic salute and pushed his way into the bar.

Sadie rolled her eyes and leaned over, taking hold of Bodicea’s reins. She led the horses around back, tying them to the post and making sure they could get some water. She’d take them down to the stables as soon as they could get settled with a room.

Inside the bar was loud, and Arthur grit his teeth, adjusting to the sound. He pushed his way through the rowdy patrons fresh off of work and looking to have a good time. He tapped on the bar, getting the man behind the counter’s attention.

“Can I get a room?” Arthur asked loudly, leaning over the bar.

The man held a finger up to him and he growled in annoyance. Pushing back from the bar he turned to check out the locals. Most of the men were young, throwing themselves at anyone who dared look their way. Arthur felt the temptation to put them in their place.

“Oi, what you want?” The bartender called at him, bringing him back, he turned around.

“A room. Few days.” He grunted at the man.

“It’s two dollars a night.” The bartender sneered and Arthur grumbled under his breath, pulling a handful of coins from his satchel. He counted out enough for a week’s stay and slid them across the counter.

“Fine.” He pushed himself back from the bar as the bartender tossed a key onto the bar. “Which room?”

He snatched the key and put it into his pocket, turning to leave the bar when Sadie called to him.

“Arthur! You get the room taken care of?” She stood near a door that led to the back of the building, he pushed his way over to her through the crowd.

“Yeah” He held up the key. “Let’s get our things up to the room and get the horses put up, before the snow gets much worse.”

-- ❖ --

The suite was cozy and a welcome warmth from the cold night air, the temperature dropping as the sun dipped below the horizon. Arthur put their things down, and shrugged out of his coat, hanging it on a rack by the door.

The room was sparsely decorated, a double bed sat across from a small fireplace with a small couch off to one side. Sadie grabbed her things and crossed the room, turning to look at the bed. She was tired and half frozen, her stomach started to growl loudly and she shivered.

“I’ll take the couch.” Arthur said and moved to light the fire seeing her shiver. “Get out of that coat, it’s wet and you’ll never get warm that way. Come over here by the fire.”

“I should take the couch, I’m smaller.” She countered, tugging off her coat she hung it up and joined him by the small fire. “We should check out the town this evening. I should at least be a little familiar with it, if I grew up here.”

“First let’s get warmed up, get some food, then we can go snoopin’.” He moved toward the door, holding it open for her.

The bar was alive with people looking to relax after work, they made their way down the hallway and to the bar. Arthur pushed in to get them some space, moving to the side to give Sadie space at the bar.

He was surprisingly good at this, she looked up at him. He held out his hand, assuming that he had crossed a line.

“Thank you, Arthur.” She smiled, shaking her head.

She ordered them some food and they found themselves a table in a more quiet part of the room. They talked more about the job as they ate, Arthur seamlessly slipping into the roll of a doting husband. Sadie found herself pleasantly surprised.

Arthur was usually brought along as muscle, but she knew he was more than that. Frequently they were the last two left at the campfires. Each haunted by their own demons, but happy for the company all the same.

Hosea had claimed she needed to take him as back-up, but as the night wore on she couldn’t help but curse the old man for being so sly.

They finished their drinks and split up to talk more to some of the locals, agreeing to meet back in the room before midnight. Sadie took some time to chat with the working girls, who were always a wealth of knowledge, before moving over to the bar and Arthur got himself caught up in a game of poker.

Sadie was the first back to the room, she collapsed onto the bed, it had been a long day and she was starting to regret saying that they should canvas the town tonight. She closed her eyes, maybe she could get in a quick nap before Arthur returned.

She blinked a few times, and sat up. The room was still and the bar below had quieted down, she pulled out her watch, 2:54am.

Arthur looked up from his journal, slapping it closed as Sadie stood.

“Why didn’t you wake me up?” Sadie said, wiping the sleep from her eyes.

Arthur shrugged.

“You looked tired, and we can check out the town in the mornin’.” He laid back on the couch cradling his head in his arms.. “Go on now, get some sleep.”

She wanted to argue, but she was too tired...and he was right. She kicked off her boots and crawled to the top of the bed, slithering under the covers and letting sleep take her again.

-- ❖ --

The couch had made for a difficult night’s sleep and Arthur decided to stop fighting it as the sun started to rise. He rolled his shoulders, glancing over at Sadie in the bed. He stifled a yawn and headed quietly for the door. He reached into his bag, pulling a small piece of paper from his journal, he jotted her a quick note and placed it on the bedside table.

A couple new inches of snow powdered the ground as he made his way out of the bar, heading toward the stables. The cool air felt good on his skin, not accustomed to sleeping indoors. The streets were quiet and he got the lay of the land on his walk to the stables

The town seemed nice enough, blue collar, the usual complaints from the poker table last night. Seemed a lot of the town worked for a couple of the bigger farms nearby. He paused briefly as he came to a cross-road outside the stable, reading the sign he heaved a sigh. So, the Gunderson’s owned one of those farms. Great. He pushed open the door to the stables, calling out for a hand to fetch the horses.

Sadie opened her eyes as the light filtered through the window, sitting up she looked over to the couch.

Of course he’s gone

She slid out of bed, reaching for her boots but not finding them where she left them. She looked around, seeing them near the fireplace and she smiled. Such little things. Things most people don’t even notice that he does, the gestures, to show he cares.

Slipping on her boots she found the note on the table.

Went to get the horses, meet me downstairs for breakfast when you’re ready, I’m buying.

She grabbed her coat, sliding it on as she headed downstairs, pocketing the note.

Arthur sat at the bar as Sadie came down the stairs, working on some oatmeal, he turned as she reached the landing, giving her a small wave.

“Did you get any sleep at all?” Sadie asked as she settled beside him at the empty bar.

“Enough.” He said, taking another bite of oatmeal. “ You?”

“Yeah. Tonight, I’m serious, you take the bed.” She flagged down the bartender, ordering herself some food. Arthur grunted, waving her off.

“The horses are outside, we can take a ride around town when you’re done, acquaint yourself with the town.” He changed the subject and she rolled her eyes.

“You know, some local boys last night told me they work up at a local farm.” Arthur looked over at Sadie, taking another bite of his oatmeal.

“The girls told me something similar.” she responded. “That most of the town works for a couple of the big farms around the area.” The bartender returned with Sadie’s food and Arthur tossed a couple dollars onto the bar.

“The Gundersons own one of the farms, you know.” Arthur said matter-of-factly.

“That is gonna extend our stay.” She sighed and Arthur nodded.

“It will.” He agreed. She was quiet a moment before she chuckled.

“Could keep it goin’, hire people to run it? Keep the income?”

Arthur raised an eyebrow, cocking his head slightly. It wasn’t a bad idea, and ongoing income? They might as well be stand-up, law-abiding citizens. They’d have to run it by Hosea and Dutch, if nothing else they’d get a kick out of the idea.

“It’s not a bad plan. Hell, I wouldn’t say no to some reliable cash comin’ in, and legitimate too? Sign me up! Though, we should send a letter to Dutch and Hosea, get their opinion.”

He looked over at Sadie, she was a survivor, a flower blooming from the ashes of her old life. Driven by this rage that scared even him from time to time. But there was a kindness in there still, he saw it. When she interacted with Jack and some quiet mornings, when she thought no one else could see, she would sit with the chickens, talking to them gently. She had convinced herself she had lost this kindness, but Arthur saw it, even if she didn’t.

They finished up their breakfast and headed out into the cool winter morning Bob and Boadicea huffed as they approached, shaking out the cold. Arthur gave each of them a pat before they mounted up.

“Take a walk around the town, then head to the sheriff to see if they can point us to who we need to talk to about collectin’ on that inheritance?” She asked and turned Bob toward the road.

“Sounds like a plan, once we know you can head over and I’ll drop a letter to Hosea with what we should do about the farm. I can meet ya after.”

-- ❖ --

The sheriff sat outside the small building at the edge of town, lazily watching passersby as they made their way into town.

“Excuse me, sheriff?” Sadie called, pulling Bob alongside the porch.

The sheriff sat forward, tilting back his hat. “Ma’am?”

“I ain’t been in town a while, but I got a letter sayin’ my ma died and they needed to talk to me about her will? You know who I need to talk to?” Sadie exaggerated her drawl.

The sheriff stood up, pulling off his hat, his eyes sad.

“Miss Maggie. I’m so sorry about your ma. She was one helluva lady.” He worried the brim of his hat. “I think mister Edgarton down at the bank is who you’re lookin’ for.”

Sadie flashed him a small smile before thanking him for his concern and his help. She turned Bob back toward the road.

The inside of the bank was quiet, empty except for her, some guards and the teller.

“Good morning, ma’am. How can I help ya today?” The teller greeted as she entered.

“The sheriff sent me this way. I’m Maggie Cooper, uh, Gunderson. Someone sent notice that my ma died?” She held her hat nervously in her hands, her brow knit.

“Oh! Miss Gunderson! Yes! Hold on, let me get mister Edgarton.” The teller turned and disappeared into a back room.

Sadie glanced around the bank, greeting the guards as she walked the space. Time seemed to stand still as she waited, the guards watching her every move. A few minutes passed and the back door opened, two men emerging from the back.

“Miss Gunderson, this is mister Edgarton, he handles our business accounts.” The teller excused himself and moved back to the desk.

“Miss Gunderson, what a pleasure. We were worried, we didn’t know where you’d taken up residence.”

“Mail moves a little slower out west. Our little town only got it’s own post about a year ago.” She laughed airly. “It’s real nice to meet you mister Edgarton, sorry it weren’t on better circumstance.”

He nodded. “Your mother was a real firecracker, real savvy businesswoman. Took over and ran things better than your pa, God rest ‘im.”

Sadie was sad she never got to meet this woman, and almost felt a tinge of guilt stealing from her. A powerful woman in a man’s world, she knew a thing or two about that.

“Ma was always a shrewd woman, nothin’ ever got by her.” She replied, as mister Edgarton gestured for her to join him in his office in the back.

The room was small and cramped by the large desk in the center, he motioned for her to sit as he rounded the desk.

“If I’m being honest miss Gunderson--”

“Please, call me miss Cooper.” She said gently.

“Apologies, miss Cooper.” He corrected. “I’ve not had to deal much in these kinds of transitions. Most the farms around here handle their own finances, but when your mother died, they came to me.” He shifted uncomfortably. “She named you as the sole beneficiary in her will, in hopes that you would return to run the family business.”

“Ah. There was always a catch with her.” Sadie mused. The woman had been a shrewd businesswoman.

“The house, their accounts, and all the land has been left to you.” He read from the small piece of paper he picked up from the desk.

“My husband and me, we don’t make enough money to have a bank account.”

“You might think twice about that now.” Edgarton interjected, sliding a ledger across the table to her.

Sadie stared at the number on the page, her mouth dry. “There, there must be some kind of error here. The farm, it was, not even ten years ago, we was almost out of money!”

It was getting harder not to be impressed with the late Mary Gunderson. Sadie had never seen a number that big. Arthur was going to have a fit when she told him.

“Like I said, your mother was quite the entrepreneur.” He pulled back the ledger and shuffled through a few other papers on his desk. “Let me pull a few documents here and we can get these signed over to you.”

Edgarton rifled through the stack of papers on his desk, pulling a few aside before digging into the pile once more. Sadie shifted in her seat as the minutes ticked away.

“Right. So, we can start with the deed to the farm.” He slid the paper in front of her. “Just need you to put your mark here.” He indicated a line near the bottom of the page, handing her a fountain pen.

She made a simple mark on the page, her eyes scanning the document. She pushed the document back. Arthur had said they would need to talk it over with the gang before deciding what to do with the farm, but they could worry about that later.

Not twenty minutes later and Maggie Cooper was a much wealthier woman. She thanked the gentlemen and left the bank. They had agreed to meet back at their room when the business was finished, and she made her way back to the saloon, her heart racing as the reality of everything set in. It had worked, the properties were theirs, the money was their, and damn was it a lot of money.

Arthur looked up from his journal as Sadie opened the door. The color drained from her face as her eyes met his and he stood up, his hand immediately going to his revolver.

He looked over her shoulder as she slid into the room and closed the door behind her turning the key in the lock.

“What’s goin’ on? We in trouble?” Arthur moved toward the door and Sadie shook her head, finally finding her voice.

“No worse, we’re rich.” She laughed nervously. “Arthur, I ain’t ever seen this kind of money!” She pulled the ledger from her bag, shoving it at Arthur.

He flipped through the book, the color draining from his face. “Ho-ly shit!” He flipped the page again, trying to make sense of the numbers. “I thought you said it was a modest inheritance?” He slapped the book closed. “We can’t move that kind of money without getting caught! Shit.”

“There’s also the house.” She held out the keyring the banker had given her. “We can at least see what is there worth anything.”

He took the keyring from her hand. Yes, this felt right, normal. Just another house, just a normal score. He tried to convince himself, the rest they could worry about later, but this? They could do this now.

“Sure, let’s go check it out.” He ran his thumb over the key, handing it back to Sadie. “Here, it’s in your name.”

-- ❖ --

The sun had set when they set out to find the home, looking to avoid the attention, they followed the signs to the farm, finding the house on a hill set just off the road. A comely home, nothing as lavish as the farm’s success would seem to justify. It sat dark and empty on the hill, pristine snow powdering the roof.

The lock clicked and they swung the door open and Arthur stepped inside, lighting a small lantern by the door. Sadie stepped inside and closed the door, the house smelled of disuse. She found another lantern in the kitchen and lit it, pulling open the cabinets.

Arthur had moved to a room off the main living room and had started to comb through the space. Pocketing various bits and bobs, whatever he found of value. The room was sparsely furnished, probably once belonging to the actual Maggie. He lifted the mattress, feeling along the seam for a slip stitch, but came up empty. Convinced the room held nothing else of value he returned to the living room.

Sadie had cleared the kitchen and moved to the fireplace when Arthur returned, moving past her and up the stairs. They worked methodically, clearing each room quickly and completely, not bothering to take stock in the moment. Snuffing their lanterns, they crept out of the house and back down the hill to town.

The saloon was alive when they returned and they were relieved as they made it back to their room undisturbed. Arthur locked the door and took a seat at the small desk, emptying everything he picked up from his bag. Sadie shrugged out of her coat, hanging it by the door before joining him at the table. She dumped her take onto the table with his, before sliding into the chair across from him.

Overall they hadn’t done too bad, a fair amount of jewelry had come from a small jewelry box in the master bedroom, adding to the large stack of cash that Sadie had found in the fireplace. The rest was small odds and ends worth a bit of cash, but nothing of import.

“Not a bad haul.” Arthur said, sitting back after separating it all. “Though, compared to the cash…” He looked up at her. “What are we gonna do about all that.”

She knit her brow. “I actually had some thoughts on that. I told the banker that we had settled in a small town out west. We can say we are pullin’ money to get our stable started. That shouldn’t draw too many questions.”

Arthur rubbed his chin, leaning back in the chair. ��That could work, and with that, we could probably get a couple thousand.”

“I was thinkin’ about five, a real good haul.”

“What’ll we do about everything else, the farm? Aren’t you gonna need to be here?” He leaned forward again, his eyes meeting hers.

“I don’t think so, the banker said the farm runs itself. And if we leave it be, we don’t put anyone out of work and draw suspicion.” She shrugged.

Arthur cracked a small smile. This might just work! He reached into his bag and pulled out a bottle of whiskey, sliding the bottle to Sadie.

“You know, miss Adler, that sounds like a fine plan! Color me impressed. I think that deserves a drink.”

#rdr2 #red dead redemption 2 #arthur morgan #sadie adler #fanfic #rdr 2 fanfic #rdr secret santa 2020 #gifts #one shot #johnmarston

41 notes · View notes

lizzheartss · 2 years ago

Text

Liz watched as Ruki grew annoyed of her presence even if they were just standing in the doorway, nobody called Liz her full name, not even her maids, Ruki’s sarcasm about Vibora’s made Liz’s head tilt to the side, still big talking? Seeing how Yuriko tried to fix the relationship between the two, Liz wondered if Yuriko thought of her as a good friend, maybe but since Liz has been hated for centuries by the women of her clan, her own mother, she wasn’t used to be treated so warmly by another female.

a wild beast? Gosh, were did Ruki think Liz got her manners from? Without saying a word Liz slowly entered the house, it was exactly how Liz imagined, grey and sad on the inside too, Liz was used to see vibrant colors everywhere inside her house, sparkling gold pillars everywhere with gems filled corinthian capitals, so shiny they could make guests go blind.

entering inside their house was like entering black and white universe, but they did know how to furnish their rooms, the halls were long, the walk to the living room was surprisingly quiet, Liz walked in front of them, it almost seemed like they, or more likely Ruki, wanted to keep an eye on her.

the living room was beautiful, the sofa were they seated was purple-ish light blue, Liz seated in the armchair in front of them, she crossed legs as she leaned in to pose the envelope to the table between the two.

“i am here to make sure you, along with Yuriko, attend this ball, these are Karlheinz’s orders, now if you want to refuse to your king’s orders you are more than free to do so, if you’re able to face its consequences, since maybe we started with the wrong foot, i want to claim that i had no intention to be seen as a rude being, but i have to say, nobody has talked to me with that tone or called me a liar and accused me of spouting nonsense during a possible war period, you sure have the guts considering that you surely have heard about the Myoi Dynasty”Liz said as she posed her hands in her legs.

the envelope was still untouched, but since Liz wasn’t someone hard to work with she continued to explain.

“the reason why he wants you to attend this ball isn’t very clear to me neither, since he didn’t tell me the exact things he wants to do, but i suppose he wants the clans to gather every information they can, this ball was nonsense for me too but actually it could seem useful as a way to collect more informations discreetly”Liz continued to explain.

that king. He was making things really troublesome for Liz, why not make her do things in her own way? Its not like this is her first rodeo with clan wars and again, she was going to inherit the Myoi’s name soon, why not make her handle things and make her go on all this trouble, but why throwing a ball now? How playful of him it was crystal clear that he did not take adlers seriously.

“if you decide to attend this and follow our orders, we can guarantee that this will be no violent war since Yuriko worried about that, and trust me, my clan and Karlheinz have been working together for centuries, probably even before you were born so i know that he won’t make things violent if this is his start, since the ball is being held and organized by My father and my mother, the Marquess goes mad when things don’t go exactly the way she wants to, it can be the number of guests or the tiniest plate of tableware, since the dress code is written by her we usually send out gowns for every woman that will accept the invite, i figured we had to do so for Yuriko too, for the mask too, of course all this if you decide to come and decide to not make my mom go crazier than what she already is normally”

Liz hoped Yuriko would’ve understood her mothers jealousy of every single woman being from every clan.

Liz continued to say, she still didn’t apologize to Yuriko, but this was serious, her mom’s madness could even go for a laugh since she wanted everything to be so perfect that she would throw a tantrum if they didn’t go like she wanted, Liz really hoped that her parents didn’t attend this ball, since she didn’t want Yuriko to see how her parents can be so distant one with the other.

and maybe Ruki would see what actually leaving colorfully means, well she should stop being rude now.

“if you open the invite you will see that Karlheinz signed all the invites, you can ask him no problem for me”Liz waited for a response.

r o l e c o n t i n u a t i o n

pt.3

pt.1 / pt.2 /

with : @yuriko-tsukino-rp , hii! this is going lovely its so fun doing roleplay with you! <<33

Liz couldn’t believe her eyes, kistunes did have fire power, but war talk never scared the previous ones she met, Yuriko was somehow, different.

normally Kistunes are playful, brute and sly, Yuriko was really one of a kind, those gold irises almost had Liz flinched ,she had strong powers leaning in her veins, however, holding back such strong emotions and powers that can cause apocalyptic-like fires, wasn’t a nothing.

this has gotten out of hand, and Liz knew that Ruki was cold, so she wasn’t so wrong after all, Karlheinz knew this she was sure, he knew how Ruki would have reacted, yet somehow he had the nerve of sending her, when will that man stop giving such unpleasant surprises? Not to mention he still was keeping that rude speech, how shameful for an ex-aristocrat.

“you must warn me? makes me giggle, how selfish and self centred of you to expect that a respectable high in society Lady like me would fear you, let me give you a piece of advice, if you really thought that your adoptive father which is also the king of all demons would have shared his own plans with nothing less than an adopted child, you are out of your mind, and you haven’t grown up yet, learn how society works, then you’ll be able to enter the politic functions and how they work around the clans” Liz said as her head tilted angrily while her lips abruptly moved.

Liz crossed arms, taking a deep breath.

“and for clarification, i require your knowings, Karlheinz requires your presence, you want a written proof? You got it, i will make sure you get your silly, colored written card where you can see his own writing, if thats what you want” Liz said smirking while stepping slowly to his direction, almost making fun of him.

i should contain myself, someone with my title shouldn’t play like this, just too funny.

Liz continued to study Yuriko’s reactions, maybe she shouldn’t have said anything about her plans, just as Karlheinz said, the less they know, the better.

well she refused her offer, and they were leaving, Liz wasn’t going to force Yuriko, she was in a weak state right now.but it was planned, Liz was going to present herself at their house, well from what she knows is common, those Sakamaki Dudes and the Mukamis always did such things, Liz took out her phone from the back pocket of her miniskirt.as Liz digited in her phone’s screen she could feel Yuriko looking at her back while heading out, maybe she felt bad? Well Liz was a respectable vampire she had to give her a proper apology.

but thats for later, Liz opened the little green app and digited Karlheinz’s phone number, means one of the zillions of phone numbers he created followed by all the identifies he had, god what a man.Liz brought her phone near her left ear hearing the ringing soft sound, finally he picked up the phone

.“you were right after all, he did get suspicious, i don’t even think i need to rent out how his shameful and rude tone made him appear as someone so disagreeable”Liz said trying to contain her anger, that speech was really something.

“Well, perhaps you should have listened to my words? I shall notice you did already since that obnoxious nuclear bomb threat would’ve witnessed an altercation way more complicated than a common war” that man always talked as flawless as a lion. Look at how he was teasing Liz.

Liz rolled her eyes, she knew he was right, but she knew too that she wasn’t one that didn’t accept defeat.“you won this round Karlheinz, you made your move, now its my turn, i’m gonna need the adress, seems like your little non biological child wants a proof of your words” Liz said looking back at the door they exited just a minute ago.

“Of course, i will make sure you have the invitations and their adress, i shall now take my leave, lets hope you’re in luck.” He closed the phone.

Liz crossed her arms once again, this was going to be more difficult than what it seemed.

A black shiny expensive car pulled over the M mansion, who could it be if not Liz? From the front door an old black dressed butler came out to open one of the backseats doors, he pulled the shiny handle with the dressed hand by a black glove.

Liz sticked out her leg as the butler picked her hand to help her getting out of the car, Liz watched the mansion as she got up, victorian architecture is quite famous in the vampire clan, unlike the tacky, baroque styled mansion where she lived their house was way more minimal, dead colors and mainly used stoned and black oak roofs.

the cancel that separated Liz and the house was tall, surrounded by stone walls, and it was black metal, it had spiked tops and an entrance.

Liz was used to see gold and shiny crystals everywhere around her house, this one seemed elegant but yet colorless. Enough with the analyzing we have an invitation to deliver.

Liz’s butler came ahead to open the cancel’s door for her as she stood behind him.

“Would you like me to join you, Miss?” his low voice said as he watched the ground.

“i got this, wait for me” Liz said entering the cancel, the garden was pretty, green and lively, her velvet black boots made noise as the heel touched the ground, maybe they already heard her? There she was in front of the door, a tall dark brown door with a golden handle.

Liz knocked 3 times as she stayed crossed arms.

#diabolik #diabolik boys #diabolik brothers #diabolik lovers #yuriko tsukino #myoi liz #//sorry if this response was kinda boring //i can’t wait for the ball to come in //yuriko be in a fight between titans XD

12 notes · View notes

illuminating-dragons · 8 years ago

Text

Dreams and Visions (23/51): Victorian Musings

Time Period: Victorian

Chapter Summary: Some headcanons I've developed for the Victorian era. If anyone wants me to expand on any of them, let me know! Warnings for minor character death and some angst.

Read it on AO3

Johnlock

Holmes has a letter tucked away among his commonplace books that is for Watson’s eyes alone. He truly hopes that Watson will never read it; his husband has already had to lose him once, but at least he’ll have a written record of how much he loves him.

The one time they come close to getting caught, it’s Charles Augustus Milverton. He makes an offhand remark while discussing their client’s bill. Milverton doesn’t make it home that night; a protective older brother deals with the political fallout from disposing of Milverton too soon.

In the village close to where they retire, most of the inhabitants have accepted the fact that the odd men in the cottage are a bit…different. They don’t particularly care; Holmes’ honey is good, Watson’s generous with his time and his vegetables, and really, they’re doing no harm.

Though he never talks about, Watson sometimes wishes he could have taken Holmes’ name. Then Holmes will say ‘Watson’ with the same tenderness he uses in the rare moments he says ‘John’, and he’ll change his mind.

Watson

Twenty years after Watson returned from the war, Holmes finds William Murray, the orderly who saved his life. Murray brings his son with him, named for the bravest and finest doctor he’s ever known. John Murray doesn’t understand why the Doctor cries.

Watson does write poetry sometimes, very badly. There was one very good piece, written at three in the morning in frustration as he tried to sort out his love for his dead wife and his love for his living husband. Entitled simply ‘Two Halves’, it tells the story of a man who was never made to choose and therefore got both his heart’s desires, yet fears he deserves neither.

Watson takes a bullet for Holmes not long before they retire. Holmes was apoplectic, but Watson was secretly glad; now his leg has reason to twinge in the cold weather, and he still has his husband to distract him from the pain with soft music.

Holmes

Holmes doesn’t know the word ‘demisexual’; he thinks asexuality is a plant trait, not a human one, and he considered himself a broken man for a long time. In the end he didn’t need the words to explain things; he got Watson instead.

Holmes saw Irene Adler Norton one other time; it was during his time abroad after the Fall. In disguise as a fireman, he saved her daughter, Rose Norton from a house fire. Irene recognized him, told him sharply to go home, and thanked him. A month later, Holmes sent her a marked copy of the Strand with Watson’s story, The Empty House.

Holmes thought telling Watson how he felt would be the most terrifying thing he’d ever done. Then he stood outside the door to the Stranger’s Room at the Diogenes Club for three hours shaking. Mycroft eventually found him there, soothed him through the panic attack, and promised his support for their relationship, come what may.

Mystrade

With the police force so new, any help was welcome, particularly help that did not demand credit or compensation. Thus, when Sherlock Holmes requested to consult on cases, he needed no help from Mycroft Holmes; which, coincidentally, meant that Lestrade didn’t encounter the older Holmes until Holmes and Watson were married.

Mycroft

Mycroft had always suspected his little brother was different. Removed as he was from the idea of love and romance, particularly with his size, he never even considered that he was different in the same way.

Lestrade

Lestrade was happily married (to a woman who was mistress to six different men) with one daughter (who moved to Scotland to get married and rarely came to visit due to financial difficulties though she did write to her father faithfully), and never once thought that there might be another kind of happiness.

Moriarty

Moriarty was Holmes’ equal in one important way; he never fully understood that the doctor loved the detective just as fiercely.

Mary

Mary came to love Sherlock—platonically, closer to a brother than a friend. She even managed to forgive him for loving John, and allowed them time alone. After all, she trusted her husband. (Watson never disappointed her).

When their daughter Martha died at three months from the influenza that swept the city, Mary was almost relieved when she woke up with a deep ache in her bones as well as her heart.

Mary and Martha’s graves are well-tended by her widower as well as his husband. Her spirit is well aware of their love, and feels pure relief that neither man is alone.

Mrs. Hudson

Martha Hudson’s maiden name was Meadows. Though she doesn’t realize it, so was Kitty’s grandmother. They were sisters. Kitty has inherited the family spirit, acceptance of odd living conditions and her great-aunt’s blue eyes.

In her eyes, Mrs. Hudson has three sons (two who live with her and one who rarely comes home). All three men privately think the same.

The day that Watson told her about his love for Holmes he was on morphine from a stabbing, and he doesn’t remember. Mrs. Hudson immediately hunted down the detective and demanded he take care of her boy. She also begins a rumour that gives Holmes a mistress, which few believe but it gives Watson a good laugh.

#sherlock fanfiction #sherlock holmes fanfiction #johnlock #sherlock AU #crossover with original canon #acme146 fanfiction #dreams and visions #sleeping on it 'verse #acme headcanons #crosspost from AO3

4 notes · View notes

margdarsanme · 5 years ago

Text

NCERT Class 12 Psychology Chapter 2 Self And Personality

NCERT Class 12 Psychology Chapter 2 : Self And Personality Solutions

NCERT TEXTBOOK QUESTIONS SOLVED :

Q. 1.What is self? How does the Indian notion of self differ from the Western notion? Ans.: Self is an organized cognitive structure. It can be understood in terms of subject and object or I and Me. It refers to the totality of one’s conscious thoughts, and feelings which pertain to one’s own self. .

Indian Concept of Self:

Self is characterized by the shifting nature of the boundaries.

The Indian view does not make rigid dichotomies.

It is based on collectivistic Indian society.

Western Concept of Self :

The boundaries between self and the group are rigid.

It holds clear dichotomies between self and group.

It is based on individualistic society of the West.

Q. 2. What is meant by delay of gratification? Why is it considered important for adult development? Ans. :

(i) Learning to delay or defer from gratification of needs is called self-control. It emerges from self-regulation. (ii) Self-regulation is behavioural component of self. (iii) It refers to an ability to organize and monitor ones own behaviour. People who can change their behaviour according to the demands of the external environment are high on self-monitoring. (iv) Self-regulation leads to self-control. (v) It plays a key role in fulfilment of long-term goals. (vi) Indian culture provides us effective mechanisms like fasting (vrata or roza) and non-attachment with worldly things to develop self-control. (vii) It is ones ability to say ‘No’.

Psychological techniques to develop self-control are: (a) Observation of Own Behaviour: it provides us with necessary information that may be used to change, modify, or strengthen certain concepts of self. ‘ (b) Self-instruction: We often instruct ourselves to do something and behave the way we want. (c) Self-reinforcement: It involves rewarding behaviours that have pleasant outcomes (like going to see a-movie with friends if we do well in exams).

— Self-control is important for the development of mature personality. This is the reason that all cultures emphasise the self-control. It helps in the fulfilment of long-term goals. Indian cultural tradition provide us with certain effective mechanisms, e.g., fasting in varta or roja and know attachment with worldly things for developing self-control.

— Self-control is also important for effective functioning of social network. Q. 3. How do you define personality? What are the main approaches to the study of personality? Ans. : The word ‘personality’ is derived from the Latin word ‘persona’, which means a mask or false face which Greek actors used to wear when acting on stage. According to Gordon Allport “Personality is the dynamic organization within the individual of those psychological systems thqt determine his unique adjustments to his environment.” One of the major approaches to understanding personality was to develop theories on what it was. There are many broad personality theories, which can be grouped into four categories: –

(i) Dynamic approaches, which emphasize on-going interaction among motives, impulses and psychological processes.

(ii) Type and train approaches, which focus on people’s characteristics, stubbornness, shyness and so forth and how these characteristics are organized into systems.

(iii) Humanistic approaches, which emphasize the self and the importance of the individual’s subjective view of the world.

(iv) Learning and behavioural approaches, which emphasize the way habits are acquired through basic learning process. Q. 4. What is trait approach to personality? How does it differ from type approach?(CBSE 2007) Ans. : Trait approach psychologists explain personality on the basis of specific psychological characteristics. Type approach psychologists believe that personality can be classified into broad categories. Traits are relatively stable, persistent and characteristic patterns of behaviour which makes the individual different from others.

(i) These are overlapping, i.e., inclusive in nature. (ii) Traits are specific psychological characteristics, e.g., shy or timid.

Types are cluster of similar traits. (i) These are broad categories. . (ii) These do not overlap, i.e., exclusive in nature, e.g., extrovert or introvert. Q. 5. How does Freud explain the structure of personality? Ans. : The Id:

(i) The Id is the original source of personality, present in the newborn infant, from which the ego and super ego later develop.

(ii) It consists of everything that is inherited, including the instinctual drives—sex and aggression.

(iii) It is closely linked to the biological processes and provides the energy source—the libido for the operation of all three systems.

(iv) It is totally unconscious and works on pleasure principles regardless of any,external potential costs of seeking the gratification of impulses.

The Ego: (i) The ego develops out of Id because of the necessity for dealing with the real world. The ego’s task is to hold the Id in check until conditions allows for satisfaction of its impulses.

(ii) It operates on reality principles. For example, a hungry man would want to have food at any cost due to id impulses, but it is the ego which delays tl’ i hunger impulse until the appropriate conditions are found.

(iii) The ego is essentially the executive of the personality. It keeps a person working for a living, getting along with people and generally adjusting to the realities of life.

(iv) Ego mediates between the demands of id, the realities of the world and the demands of the super ego.

The Super Ego: (i) It is related to the values and morals of the society as taught to us by our parents and others. It works according to social norms. (ii) It is concerned with morality—whether various ways that could satisfy id impulses are right or wrong.

The main functions of the super ego are: (i) To inhibit the unacceptable impulses of Id such as sex and aggression. (ii) Freud assumed that Id is energised by two instinctual forces, called life instinct and death instinct. Life instinct is individuals, tendency to construct whereas death instinct is for the destruction. According to Freud, life instinct is more dominant among human beings. According to Freud, the instinctual life force that energises the Id is called Libido. It works on the pleasure principle, and seeks immediate gratification. It is source of energy. Q. 6. How would Horney’s explanation of depression be different from that of Alfred Adler? Ans. : While Karen Horney focuses more on interpersonal relationships during childhood, Alfred gives greater importance to personal goals of an individual.

There are, in my opinion, Horney would attribute the cause of depression to parental relations with children which are characterized by excessive interference or indifference. Deep anxiety would result from the behaviour rewards the child which, if is erratic, indifferent and discouraging feelings of isolation and helplessness will also emerge. Alfred Adler would, on the other hand, attribute depression to the feeling of inadequacy and guilt arising within the individual, due to the inability to achieve his/her personal goals.

These goals provide an individual with security and are important in overcoming feelings of inadequacy. If individual is not able to attain the goals and could not overcome inferiority appropriately then it leads to depression. Q. 7. What is the main proposition of humanistic approach to personality? What did Maslow mean by self-actualization? Ans. : Humanistic theories emphasise personal responsibility and innovate tendencies toward personal growth. They focus on the importance of people’s subjective attitudes, feelings and beliefs especially with regard to the self.

According to humanistic approach, we human beings are most creative, growing, fully functioning and self-actualizing people.

Fully functioning persons, according to Rogers theory, psychologically healthy persons who live life to the fullest.

They live in the here and now and trust their own feelings. They are sensitive to the needs of others but they do not allow society’s standards to shape their feelings or actions to an excessive degree.

Rogers suggests that each individual has a concept of ideal self. If there is discrepancy between real self and ideal self then individual develops maladjustment.

Rogers proposed two basic assumptions: (a) Human behaviour is goal-directed and worthwhile. (b) People always choose adaptive and self-actualizing behaviour.

Rogers believed that many individuals fail to become fully functioning persons because they grow up in an atmosphere of conditional positive regard and develop distorted self-concept# which interferes with personal growth. Such people fail to self-actualise.

All human beings desire unconditional positive regard, freedom of choice and feeling of fulfilment for attainment of self-actualization.

Humanistic theories don’t deny the importance of past experience but they generally focus on the present.

Maslow’s Contribution to Humanistic Approach

Maslow’s Self-Actualization

It is a state which people have reached their own fullest potential.

He had an optimistic view of man who has potentialities for love, joy and creative work.

According to him, human beings are free to shape their lives and to self-actualise.

Q. 8. Discuss the main observational methods used in personality assessment. What problems do we face in using these methods? Ans. :

Observational method is a very powerful tool of psychological enquiry. It is an effective method of describing behaviour.

A scientific observation differs from day-to-day observation in many respects,

(i) Selection: Psychologists do not observe all the behaviour that they encounter. Rather, they select a particular behaviour for observation.

(ii) Recording: While observing, a researcher records the selected behaviour using different means, such as marking tallies for the already identified behaviour whenever they occur, taking notes describing each activity in greater detail using short hand or symbols, photographs, video recording, etc. (iii) After the observations have been made, psychologists analyse whatever they have recorded with a view to derive some meaning out of it.

(iv) Observation is a skill. A good observation is a skill. A good observer knows what he/she is looking for, w’hom he/she wants to observe, when and where the observation needs to be made.

Observation can be of the following types :

(a) Non-Participant vs. Participant Observation:

1. Non-participant observation (i) To observe the person or event from a distance. (ii) The observer may become part of the group being observed. (iii) In the first case, the person being observed may not be aware that he/she is being observed. For example, you want to observe the pattern of interaction between teachers and students in a particular class. . (iv) Install a video camera to record the classroom activities, which you can see later and analyse. Alternatively, you may decide to sit in a corner of the class without interfering or participating in their everyday activities. This type of observation is called non-participant observation.

2. Participant observation (i) In participant observation, the observer becomes a part of the school or the group of people being observed. (ii) the observer takes some time to establish a rapport with the group so that they start accepting him/her as one of the group members. (iii) the degree of involvement of the observer with the group being observed would vary depending upon the focus of the study. The advantage of the observation method is that it enables the researcher to study people and their behaviour in a naturalistic situation, as it occurs. However, the observation method is labour-intensive, time-consuming, and is susceptible to the observer’s bias. Our observation is influenced by our values and beliefs about the person or the event. Q. 9. What is meant by structured personality tests? Which are the two most widely used structured personality tests? (Delhi Board 2010 Part) Ans. : Structured personality tests are self-report measures that have the following features:

Questions are direct and structured.

They are called self-report because the examinee has to respond objectively to the items of the measure and his/her response are accepted as they are.

They are objective in nature and they deal with the present state of mind.

— Self-report measures use inventories and questionnaires to assess conscious part of personality. — Goal of the test may be revealed. — These tests assess only conscious part of personality

Their results depend on motivation and emotional state of the examinee; they are

non-projective and direct inferences are made. Some of the self-report measures are:

1. Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ): This test was developed by Eysenck to assess two basic dimensions of personality namely introverted—extroversion and emotionally stable—emotionally unstable (Neuroticism).

2. MMPI: Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory. This test was developed by Hathaway and Mckinely.

It has been found very effective in detecting psycho-pathology like hypochondriasis, depression, hysteria etc.

The test is divided into 10 sub scales. This test helps in clinical diagnosis of various mental disorders like hypochondriasis, depression, hysteria, etc.

It has two sets’MMPI-I and MMPI-II. Now-a-days, MMPI-II is being used.

It has 567 items in the form of affirmative statements. The subject judges each item ‘statements’ as true or false.

MMPI is one of the very good tests for clinical purposes (diagnosis).

Indian version of MMPI is also available named as Jodhpur Multiphasic Personality Inventory (JMPI)

16-PF Questionnaire

It is developed by Cattell.

It identifies large set of personality descriptions—subjected to factor analysis to identify basic personality structure.

Subject responds to situation by choosing from alternatives.

This test is being used with high school level students in India for career guidance

and counselling. ‘

Problems Faced by self-report Measures

Social Desirability: It is a tendency on part of the respondent to endorse items in a socially desirable manner.

Acquiescence: It is a tendency of the subject to agree with items/questions irrespective of contents.

Testing and understanding personality require great skill and training.

People become self-aware and conscious, hesitate to share thoughts and feelings and motivation. If they do it, it is done in a socially desirable manner. So, the real personality characteristics are not manifested.

Q. 10. State in common features of projective techniques. Describe anyone projective technique. Or Explain how projective techniques assess personality. Which projective tests of personality are widely used by psychologists? Ans.:

Projective tests of personality are widely used by psychologists.

Projective techniques are most indirect method to assess personality.

Psycho analytic theory proposed that behaviour is also determined by unconscious forces.

The projective techniques were developed to assess unconscious motives and feelings.

— The stimulus material is relative or fully unstructured and poorly defined. — The person being assessed is usually not told the purpose and the method of scoring and interpretation before the administration of test. — The person is informed that there are no right or wrong responses. — Each response is considered to reveal a true and significant aspect of personality. — The scoring and interpretation in projective assessment are lengthy and subjective.

Projective Techniques — Developed to assess unconscious motives, feelings and conflicts. — A less structured or unstructured stimulus or situation will allow the individual to project his/her feelings, desires and needs on to that situation, — Projections are interpreted by experts. — Cannot be scored objectively, require qualitative analysis for which a rigorous training is needed.

1. The Rorschach Inkblot Test (Hermann Rorschach)

Consists of 10 inkblots—5 black and white, 2 with red ink, 3 in pastel colours.

Blots are symmetrical in design with a specific shape or form, made by dropping ink on a piece of paper and then folding the paper in half (hence called inkblot test).

The cards are administered individually in two phases:

—Performance proper: The subjects are shown the cards and are asked to tell what they see in each of them. —Inquiry: A detailed report of the response is prepared by asking the subject to tell where, how, and on what basis was a particular response made. •Fine judgment is necessary to place the subject’s responses in a meaningful context. Use and interpretation of this test requires extensive training

2. The Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) Morgan and Murray

This test consists of 30 black and white picture cards and one blank card—each picture card depicts one or more people in a variety of situations.

Some cards are used specifically with adult males or females, boys or girls—have been modified for the children and the aged.

The cards are presented one at a time and the subject is asked to tell a story describing the situation presented in the picture—what led up to the situation, what is happening at the moment, what will happen in the future, what the characters are feeling and thinking?

Uma Chaudhury’s Indian adaptation of TAT is also available.

3. Rosenzweig’s Picture-Frustration Study (P-F Study)

This study assesses how people express aggression in the face of a frustrating situation.

Presents with the help of cartoon-like pictures a series of situations in which one person frustrates another, or calls attention to a frustrating condition.

The subject is asked to tell what the other (frustrated) person will say or do.

The analysis of responses is based on the type and direction of aggression—examine whether the focus is on the frustrating object (environment), or on protection of the frustrated person (oneself), or on constructive solution of the problem.

Pareek has adapted this test for the Indian population

4. Sentence Completion Test

This test makes use of a number of incomplete sentences—the starting part of the sentence is first presented and the subject has to provide an ending to the sentence.

The type of endings used by the subjects reflect their attitudes, motivation and conflicts.

The test provides subjects with several opportunities to reveal their underlying unconscious motivations.

5. Draw-a-Person Test

In this test, the subject is asked to draw a person on a sheet of paper and then a figure of an opposite sex person.

Finally, the subject is asked to make a story about the person as if he/she was a character in a novel or play.

Some examples of interpretations are as follows:

— Omission of facial features suggests that the person tries to evade a highly conflict-ridden interpersonal relationships. — Graphic emphasis on the neck suggests lack of control over impulses. — Disproportionately large head suggests organic brain disease and pre-occupation with headaches. ..

Limitations

Interpretation of the responses requires sophisticated skills and specialized training.

There are problems associated with the reliability of scoring and validity of interpretations.

Q. 11. Arihant wants to become a singer even though he belongs to a family of doctors. Though his family members claim to love him but strongly disapprove his choice of career. Using Carl Rogers’ terminology, describe the attitudes shown by Arihant’s family. Ans. : Arihant wants to become a singer even though he belongs to a family of doctors. His family ‘claims’ to love him, but disapproves of his choice of career. This fact warrants my attention towards an important terminology given by Carl Rogers, i.e., unconditional positive regard.

As the desire of Arihant to become a singer is contradicted by his family, it results in a situation of negative social conditions which will reduce his level of self-concept and self¬esteem. His inability to fulfil his goal will prevent him from becoming a ‘fully functioning person’. Moreover, his conception of an ‘ideal self involves him being a singer, while his ‘real self is not one due to familial pressure. This discrepancy between the real and ideal self results in dissatisfaction and unhappiness.

The provision of unconditional positive regard which includes empathy, love and warmth irrespective of other factors is necessary for Arihant. According to Rogers, a person attains self-actualization only when people have reached their own fullest potential.

His inability to pursue singing will not allow self-actualization to occur which will prevent his psychological health and well-being.

from Blogger http://www.margdarsan.com/2020/08/ncert-class-12-psychology-chapter-2.html

#NCERT Class 12th Psychology

0 notes