By noting down the facts, you have already gathered the info (three

professors on the panel) and broken it down into components (reputation of each
professor).
√ Using the examination method, your feeling tells you that if you make
an all-out effort to highlight the contradiction in Freudian thought, professor X
would probably drill you and make it tough for you to defend your arguments
since he has profound respect for Freud. Professor Y on the other hand who
exhibits type A tendencies would ask you to supply substantial evidence and
question you on your research methods. Professor Z would agree that yes, Freud
probably contradicted himself more than once, and ask you a few questions for
the sake of formality to make sure you wrote it yourself and not some academic
paper mill. Your most difficult battle would then be with professors X & Y.
√ On the other hand, if you choose the second topic – type A
personalities and their health problems - professor Y would probably challenge
you the most. He may appreciate your thesis because it would enlighten him on
potential health problems, or he may deride you for jumping to conclusions. He
could even accuse you for using too much anecdotal evidence instead of actual
case experiments supported by scientific data. Professors X and Z would take a
neutral stance since neither is a type A personality nor are they particularly
interested in this area of psychology.
√ Weighing your facts and arguments, you are now beginning to see that
this might be your best approach: discard the Freud thesis (you don’t want to be
remembered for being anti-Freudian and hated by an entire cult) and take the
type-A personality thesis idea instead. Professor Y may challenge you all he
wants but you’re 100% comfortable that your knowledge and research will see
you through.
√ In assessing the weightings, you will make it a point to emphasize the
advantages of type A personalities, highlight their potential for accomplishment,
and toning down on your criticism. You will also emphasize that NOT all type-
A personalities end up with an illness later in life and put more stress on their
productivity. This way, professor Y should not feel that his personality is under
attack, and therefore would take a more lenient stance when he questions you.