The Scale (12-vignette version)
These items pertain to a series of hypothetical sketches. Each sketch describes an incident and lists three ways of responding to it. Please read each sketch‚ imagine yourself in that situation‚ and then consider each of the possible responses. Think of each response option in terms of how likely it is that you would respond that way. (We all respond in a variety of ways to situations‚ and probably most or all responses are at least slightly likely for you.) If it is very unlikely that you would respond the way described in a given response‚ you should circle answer 1 or 2. If it is moderately likely‚ you would select a number in the mid range‚ and if it is very likely that you would respond as described‚ you would circle answer 6 or 7.
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 have a school-age daughter. On parents’ night the teacher tells you that your daughter is doing
poorly and doesn’t seem involved in the work. You are likely to:
a) Talk it over with your daughter to understand further what the problem is.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
very unlikely
moderately likely
very likely
b) Scold her and hope she does better.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
very unlikely
moderately likely
very likely
c) Make sure she does the assignments‚ because she should be working harder.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
very unlikely
moderately likely
very likely
3. 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
4. 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
5. A close (same-sex) friend of yours has been moody lately‚ and a couple of times has become very angry with you over “nothing.” You might:
a) Share your observations with him/her and try to find out what is going on for him/her.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
very unlikely
moderately likely
very likely
b) Ignore it because there’s not much you can do about it anyway.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
very unlikely
moderately likely
very likely
c) Tell him/her that you’re willing to spend time together if and only if he/she makes more effort to control him/herself.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
very unlikely
moderately likely
very likely
6. 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
7. 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
8. 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
9. 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