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Research Results
NSGCD Kinesthetic Sympathy Survey
Summary of ResultsThe NSGCD conducted a preliminary survey in 2002-2003 on the effects of using a distraction device when working with clients with their material.
This survey asked participants (Professional Organizers) to have their clients hold an item such as a mug or drinking glass. This distraction device was to see if holding a solid "distraction" item was helpful. All Professional Organizers submitting were Level I, II or III participants in the NSGCD Certification program.
Paper was the primary focus of the survey with 74% working with client's paper and 26% working with client's objects.
In terms of paper, we had a mixed response on results, 35% finding the kinesthetic technique helpful and 35% finding it frustrating for their client.
In terms of objects, we had a much higher success rate with 50% finding it helpful and 25% no difference, 12.5% not helpful and 12.5% found it frustrating for their client.
This survey will likely be reissued again in 2004 with some modifications in survey question design. A much larger sample will be taken. The concept of success was not clear to many of those participating professional organizers working in paper. Five minutes of body double work - paper processing is considered a success. For more information on body double work, please see the NSGCD Body Double Work publication. Client frustration level needs to be measured separately from the success distinction.
Specific interest may be found in our very early and preliminary statistics of object success and OCD work. Four OCD females • three found it helpful (2-50's 1-70's) Approximately 75%.
An interesting note of percent of overall ADD clients • about 45 % in each category. CD paper - 9 out of 20 were professionally diagnosed with ADD. CD object - 3 out of 7 were professionally diagnosed with ADD.
Specific medical diagnoses were listed on this survey. Professional Organizers only listing those with stated medical diagnosis by the client were used. ADD was the most frequent medical diagnose our clients listed (45%). Depression was the second (33%).
Woman made up 93% of the surveyed clients. Men made up 7%.
To view visual diagrams of our survey results, click here.
Initial Survey Information
Origin of SurveyFor the past few years, Terry Prince reports having success when using the" avoidance of kinesthetic sympathy "technique. See Judith Kolberg's book: What Every Professional Organizer Needs to Know about Chronic Disorganization, page 32. This technique has also been reported to be successful by other NSGCD members working with CD clients' papers and objects.
While working with an established CD client on organizing her papers using "avoidance of kinesthetic sympathy" technique, the client asked organizing consultant, Terry Prince if she, the client, could hold something. Prince had her hold a ceramic coffee mug and noticed less resistance than when she had the client hold nothing. Her client was extremely tactile, and very particular about how things physically felt to her. The ceramic mug was an item that the client preferred over the others available to her. No beverage was in the mug at the time when Prince used this technique.
Because of the success of processing papers with less noticeable kinetic sympathy, Prince suggested this survey be conducted with NSGCD members who are professional organizers. A variety of variables were possible and so the category distinctions (as listed previously) were created. The theory to be tested is that individuals sorting objects may prefer a non-emotional item other than those items in the vicinity of the sorting area. Using an item located within the sorting area may be emotionally suggestive and therefore not a good test of the theory. Organizers working in the paper category will need to utilize a mug, drinking glass, or metal or plastic tumbler from the client's household or work area which should not have significant emotional attachment or sentiment to it. Styrofoam, disposable plastic, or paper cups should not be used due to their malleability.
The Process
Paper Category
The NSGCD will ask organizers who work with CD clients at their desks (dealing with paper issues only) to use the kinetic avoidance process by asking the client to hold a mug, drinking glass or plastic or metal tumbler as a distracting device while working together.Object Category
Organizers dealing with objects should have clients select a mug or drinking glass, or plastic or metal tumbler from their household or work area which has no significant emotional reminder attached to it and ask them to give it to the organizer before starting to actively work on the organizing process. The organizer should give back the mug or glass when beginning the avoiding- kinesthetic-sympathy phase.Organizers should inform clients up front that they are using a special technique or process. This will avoid excessive conversation or distraction with the process or during its onset. It is not necessary or required to inform the client that the organizer is doing a survey about the success or results of using this process.
Organizers should complete this survey including client gender and age range, each time they work with a CD client on either paper or objects using the avoidance of kinesthetic technique. No client names are to be used. This survey should not be completed in front of the client but should be completed within 24 hours of serving the client to maintain the information's integrity. The survey should take no more than 5 minutes to complete.
Members may include several surveys in one envelope. On-going mailings will aid in the survey tabulating process.
