The Scale 17-vignette version

The General Causality Orientations Scale (GCOS)
The Scale (17-vignette version)
On these pages you will find a series of vignettes. Each one describes an incident and lists three ways of responding to it. Please read each vignette and then consider the responses in turn. Think of each response option in terms of how likely it is that you would respond in that way. We all respond in a variety of ways to situations‚ and probably each response is at least slightly likely for you. If it is very unlikely that you would respond in the way described in a given response‚ you would se‎lect numbers 1 or 2. If it is moderately likely‚ you would respond in the midrange of numbers; and if it is very likely that you would respond as described‚ you would se‎lect the 6 or 7. Please se‎lect one number for each of the three responses on the answer sheet for each vignette. The actual items begin on the next page.
1. You have been offered a new position in a company where you have worked for some time. The first question that is likely to come to mind is:
a) What if I can’t live up to the new responsibility?
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
very unlikely
moderately likely
very likely

b) Will I make more at this position?
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
very unlikely
moderately likely
very likely

c) I wonder if the new work will be interesting.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
very unlikely
moderately likely
very likely

2. You had a job interview several weeks ago. In the mail you received a form letter which states that the position has been filled. It is likely that you might think:
a) It’s not what you know‚ but who you know.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
very unlikely
moderately likely
very likely

b) I’m probably not good enough for the job.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
very unlikely
moderately likely
very likely

c) Somehow they didn’t see my qualifications as matching their needs.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
very unlikely
moderately likely
very likely

3. You are a plant supervisor and have been ch‎arged with the task of allotting coffee breaks to three workers who cannot all break at once. You would likely handle this by:
a) Telling the three workers the situation and ha‎ving them work with you on the schedule.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
very unlikely
moderately likely
very likely

b) Simply assigning times that each can break to avoid any problems.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
very unlikely
moderately likely
very likely

c) Find out from someone in authority what to do or do what was done in the past.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
very unlikely
moderately likely
very likely

4. You have just received the results of a test you took‚ and you discovered that you did very poorly. Your initial reaction is likely to be:
a) “I can’t do anything right‚” and feel sad.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
very unlikely
moderately likely
very likely

b) “I wonder how it is I did so poorly‚” and feel disappointed.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
very unlikely
moderately likely
very likely

c) “That stupid test doesn’t show anything‚” and feel angry.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
very unlikely
moderately likely
very likely

5. When you and your friend are making plans for Saturday evening‚ it is likely that you would:
a) Leave it up to your friend; he (she) probably wouldn’t want to do what you’d suggest.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
very unlikely
moderately likely
very likely

b) Each make suggestions and then decide together on something that you both feel like doing.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
very unlikely
moderately likely
very likely

c) Talk your friend into doing what you want to do.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
very unlikely
moderately likely
very likely

6. You have been invited to a large party where you know very few people. As you look forward to the evening‚ you would likely expect that:
a) You’ll try to fit in with whatever is happening in order to have a good time and not look bad.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
very unlikely
moderately likely
very likely

b) You’ll find some people with whom you can relate.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
very unlikely
moderately likely
very likely

c) You’ll probably feel somewhat isolated and unnoticed.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
very unlikely
moderately likely
very likely

7. You are asked to plan a picnic for yourself and your fellow employees. Your style for approaching this project could most likely be ch‎aracterized as:
a) Take ch‎arge: that is‚ you would make most of the major decisions yourself.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
very unlikely
moderately likely
very likely

b) Follow precedent: you’re not really up to the task so you’d do it the way it’s been done before.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
very unlikely
moderately likely
very likely

c) Seek participation: get inputs from others who want to make them before you make the final plans.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
very unlikely
moderately likely
very likely

8. Recently a position opened up at your place of work that could have meant a promotion for you. However‚ a person you work with was offered the job rather than you. In evaluating the situation‚ you’re likely to think:
a) You didn’t really expect the job; you frequently get passed over.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
very unlikely
moderately likely
very likely

b) The other person probably “did the right things” politically to get the job.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
very unlikely
moderately likely
very likely

c) You would probably take a look at factors in your own performance that led you to be passed over.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
very unlikely
moderately likely
very likely

9 . You are embarking on a new career. The most important consideration is likely to be:
a) Whether you can do the work without getting in over your head.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
very unlikely
moderately likely
very likely

b) How interested you are in that kind of work.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
very unlikely
moderately likely
very likely

c) Whether there are good possibilities for advancement.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
very unlikely
moderately likely
very likely

10. A woman who works for you has generally done an adequate job. However‚ for the past two weeks her work has not been up to par and she appears to be less actively interested in her work. Your reaction is likely to be:
a) Tell her that her work is below what is expected and that she should start working harder.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
very unlikely
moderately likely
very likely

b) Ask her about the problem and let her know you are available to help work it out.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
very unlikely
moderately likely
very likely

c) It’s hard to know what to do to get her straightened out.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
very unlikely
moderately likely
very likely

11. Your company has promoted you to a position in a city far from your present location. As you think about the move you would probably:
a) Feel interested in the new challenge and a little nervous at the same time.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
very unlikely
moderately likely
very likely

b) Feel excited about the higher status and salary that is involved.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
very unlikely
moderately likely
very likely

c) Feel stressed and anxious about the upcoming changes.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
very unlikely
moderately likely
very likely

12. Within your circle of friends‚ the one with whom you choose to spend the most time is:
a) The one with whom you spend the most time exchanging ideas and feelings.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
very unlikely
moderately likely
very likely