Does the COGIATI really work?

[Saira128]

     I recently took the COGIATI test, which I found online.
     I answered all the questions truthfully. The result was, that I might be transsexual.
      My psychiatrist has already given me a diagnosis of gender dysphoria, so there's that.

      What do you ladies think about the accuracy of COGIATI?

      I feel, I may have given some answers, just so that, the test can confirm me as a transgender. I may not have been completely truthful. The kind of questions it had, you never really know whether your answer is true or not.
     Also, does my manipulating the test for a positive transgender result, show that subconsciously, I want to be identified as a transgender?

      I know, the test is not really a basis for diagnosis, but I just wanted to know, whether it has atleast some science behind it.

[Jenna Marie]

I have some training in evaluating the accuracy and scientific validity of information (I'm a reference librarian), and I can say that the COGIATI has absolutely zero science or evidence behind it. It was invented by someone with no understanding of how scientific tests work, and it's based on some rather blatant gender stereotypes.

With that said, it doesn't have to be valid to work. If you take it and you know the answer you want, then you have learned something about yourself. Which is to say, if "transsexual" is what you were hoping for... you are. You're the expert on yourself, after all. And yes, if you find yourself *trying* to slant your answers to get the result you want, then you definitely know WHAT you want, and no test (even one administered by a psychiatrist) ought to convince you otherwise.

[Thea]

As the disclaimer says, it is a purely amateur effort ans not at all scientific. Still, being curious I decided to try and take it. Jenna's right about it being based on blatant gender stereotypes.  I found the questions to be very subjective and almost impossible to answer "honestly."

[Devlyn]

The inventor of the test has said it's not a valid diagnostic tool and was intended to get the medical community to do something (anything) to diagnose and treat transgender people.

Hugs, Devlyn

[Saira128]

Thank you Jenna ,Tina, Devlyn.
     Yes, even I felt that the questions were based on gender stereotypes.
     But, I guess, I got my answer, when it felt good after getting the result I was hoping for.
     Does it make any sense? LOL

[Rachel]

One of the many books my therapist had me read is Julia Serano's, My Gender Workbook. In the book there is a test. I think the test helps you to get how you feel on paper and see how you compare with others. It is not scientific but a good exercise.

I am transgender. I had three diagnosis of GID and then GD. I know I am trans so the test just confirmed I am trans.

Struggling to find a definite diagnostic tool to confirm your gender is common and I wanted that too. In the end I accepted my identity. I think there must be stages we all go through along the way on our transition.

[Yuusui]

It is what set me on my path. If it wasn't for the results that I got, I still wouldn't know that being transgender isn't an all or nothing thing.

[jentay1367]

The whole of it is built around some very stereotypical presuppositions....I.E. women can't do math, they're better at poetry......blah, blah, blah. If it helps anyone, it's only through moral support. It's a silly quiz with zero value. Please don't stake anything of value in your life based on its results.

[2cherry]

I think it's dated, full of stereotypes (playing with dolls), and bears absolutely no diagnostic value. Entertaining, at most.

[Steph Eigen]

That's exactly right.  It is neither a validated clinical diagnostic or even reasonable guide for general use.  It assumptions are faulty and rely on ridiculous stereotypical concepts of feminine and masculine traits.

On the basis of this test I am not well categorized since I have all of the stereotypical feminine and masculine traits examined.   I can do math, do very well at spacial relationships and mental geometric tasks, am very musical, can perceive and understand emotional needs of others, read and write prose well, and so on.  In discussion about this with my therapist, he made the interesting observation to me that the higher the intellectual level of function, the wider the array of mental capabilities, the less stereotypical the individual becomes. 

Ignore the COGIATI.

[jentay1367]

or.......as one of the answers to their silly questions asks: "How am I supposed to make any sense of this?"

[Deborah]

In discussion about this with my therapist, he made the interesting observation to me that the higher the intellectual level of function, the wider the array of mental capabilities, the less stereotypical the individual becomes. 

Ignore the COGIATI.

I read a study once that said much the same thing.  At higher intellectual levels, the differences in how men's and women's brains function narrows.  My guess is that may reflect a heavier use of both brain hemispheres rather than a primary reliance on one or the other.



It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.
André Gide, Autumn Leaves

[Saira128]

or.......as one of the answers to their silly questions asks: "How am I supposed to make any sense of this?" [emoji23]

That was my answer to one of the question.
Lol

[Saira128]

One of the many books my therapist had me read is Julia Serano's, My Gender Workbook. In the book there is a test. I think the test helps you to get how you feel on paper and see how you compare with others. It is not scientific but a good exercise.

I am transgender. I had three diagnosis of GID and then GD. I know I am trans so the test just confirmed I am trans.

Struggling to find a definite diagnostic tool to confirm your gender is common and I wanted that too. In the end I accepted my identity. I think there must be stages we all go through along the way on our transition.

I'll definitely read the book. Thank you Rachel.

[Saira128]

It is what set me on my path. If it wasn't for the results that I got, I still wouldn't know that being transgender isn't an all or nothing thing.

Even I thought it was an all or nothing kind of thing. I was so wrong.

[Saira128]

I think it's dated, full of stereotypes (playing with dolls), and bears absolutely no diagnostic value. Entertaining, at most.

It is entertaining, I'll give you that.

[Saira128]

That's exactly right.  It is neither a validated clinical diagnostic or even reasonable guide for general use.  It assumptions are faulty and rely on ridiculous stereotypical concepts of feminine and masculine traits.

On the basis of this test I am not well categorized since I have all of the stereotypical feminine and masculine traits examined.   I can do math, do very well at spacial relationships and mental geometric tasks, am very musical, can perceive and understand emotional needs of others, read and write prose well, and so on.  In discussion about this with my therapist, he made the interesting observation to me that the higher the intellectual level of function, the wider the array of mental capabilities, the less stereotypical the individual becomes. 

Ignore the COGIATI.

IGNORE THE COGIATI      Check

[Karlee]

Hi Saira,

I too have taken this test (multiple times, actually) in the hope of finding an answer.

I did recognize that a lot of the answers to the questions revolved about what is stereo-typically masculine and feminine. Like yourself, I found that it was quite difficult to give an honest and subjective response to the questions (a mix between feeling like I am trans, but not being 100% sure about it and looking for an answer).

In the end, I think I ended up with "probable transsexual" which set off some butterflies in my stomach. I got the answer that I wanted, so I could make sense and validate my feelings, but then questioned it's accuracy because I knew that the answers I gave would produce this result.

Realistically, it's probably a nice way to feel a bit more comfortable within yourself. I guess the feeling and response you get to the final result really is the benefit - If you had gotten "Standard Male" as a result, you'd probably feel really disappointed and distressed, as you believed that you were trans, but this didn't validate your feelings. However, if you had gotten "Transsexual" and it set of butterflies (like it did for me), then you probably feel like this had validated what you were feeling and given you the answer that you actually wanted to see.

Kind of like when you can't decide between two things (like eating a sandwhich or noodles for lunch), so you flip a coin and that settles it - when the coin lands, you may feel disappointed with the outcome and choose the other one anyway, because it was really what you wanted the whole time!

My point of view is less on the result that is given and on the actual content of the test, but more on the reaction at the produced result. It is kind of powerful in that way.

But take it with a grain of salt, and professional opinion will always win!

Love,
Karlee <3

[Saira128]

Hi Saira,

I too have taken this test (multiple times, actually) in the hope of finding an answer.

I did recognize that a lot of the answers to the questions revolved about what is stereo-typically masculine and feminine. Like yourself, I found that it was quite difficult to give an honest and subjective response to the questions (a mix between feeling like I am trans, but not being 100% sure about it and looking for an answer).

In the end, I think I ended up with "probable transsexual" which set off some butterflies in my stomach. I got the answer that I wanted, so I could make sense and validate my feelings, but then questioned it's accuracy because I knew that the answers I gave would produce this result.

Realistically, it's probably a nice way to feel a bit more comfortable within yourself. I guess the feeling and response you get to the final result really is the benefit - If you had gotten "Standard Male" as a result, you'd probably feel really disappointed and distressed, as you believed that you were trans, but this didn't validate your feelings. However, if you had gotten "Transsexual" and it set of butterflies (like it did for me), then you probably feel like this had validated what you were feeling and given you the answer that you actually wanted to see.

Kind of like when you can't decide between two things (like eating a sandwhich or noodles for lunch), so you flip a coin and that settles it - when the coin lands, you may feel disappointed with the outcome and choose the other one anyway, because it was really what you wanted the whole time!

My point of view is less on the result that is given and on the actual content of the test, but more on the reaction at the produced result. It is kind of powerful in that way.

But take it with a grain of salt, and professional opinion will always win!

Love,
Karlee <3

Hi Karlee,
     I also felt so good when the result showed me that I was a probable transgender.
     I know the test is not scientific, but, at least it showed me what I wanted for myself.
     You look so lovely Karlee. When did you start transitioning?

[Sno]

It was one of the first 'tests' that I did, when I started questioning my gender, and was not expecting (even within it's cliche of stereotypes) the result of 'Probably Transgender'. Oddly enough subsequent retests generally give the same result. So it must be true, *sarcasm off*, Lol.

The result did set me off researching and further questioning though (and I found Susan's as a result), so it can't all bad...

Sno