General Causality Orientations Scale – GCOS

You have been offered a new position in a company where you have worked for some time. How likely is it you would think: What if I can't live up to the new responsibility?

You have been offered a new position in a company where you have worked for some time. How likely is it you would think: Will I make more at this position?

You have been offered a new position in a company where you have worked for some time. How likely is it you would think: I wonder if the new work will be interesting.

You had a job interview several weeks ago and received a form letter stating the position has been filled. How likely is it you would think: It's not what you know, but who you know.

You had a job interview several weeks ago and received a form letter stating the position has been filled. How likely is it you would think: I'm probably not good enough for the job.

You had a job interview several weeks ago and received a form letter stating the position has been filled. How likely is it you would think: Somehow they didn't see my qualifications as matching their needs.

You are a plant supervisor charged with allotting coffee breaks to three workers who cannot all break at once. How likely is it you would: Tell the three workers the situation and have them work with you on the schedule.

You are a plant supervisor charged with allotting coffee breaks to three workers who cannot all break at once. How likely is it you would: Simply assign times that each can break to avoid any problems.

You are a plant supervisor charged with allotting coffee breaks to three workers who cannot all break at once. How likely is it you would: Find out from someone in authority what to do or do what was done in the past.

You have just received the results of a test you took, and you discovered that you did very poorly. How likely is it your reaction would be: 'I can't do anything right,' and feel sad.

You have just received the results of a test you took, and you discovered that you did very poorly. How likely is it your reaction would be: 'I wonder how it is I did so poorly,' and feel disappointed.

You have just received the results of a test you took, and you discovered that you did very poorly. How likely is it your reaction would be: 'That stupid test doesn't show anything,' and feel angry.

When you and your friend are making plans for Saturday evening, how likely is it you would: Leave it up to your friend; he (she) probably wouldn't want to do what you'd suggest.

When you and your friend are making plans for Saturday evening, how likely is it you would: Each make suggestions and then decide together on something that you both feel like doing.

When you and your friend are making plans for Saturday evening, how likely is it you would: Talk your friend into doing what you want to do.

You have been invited to a large party where you know very few people. As you look forward to the evening, how likely is it you would expect that: You'll try to fit in with whatever is happening in order to have a good time and not look bad.

You have been invited to a large party where you know very few people. As you look forward to the evening, how likely is it you would expect that: You'll find some people with whom you can relate.

You have been invited to a large party where you know very few people. As you look forward to the evening, how likely is it you would expect that: You'll probably feel somewhat isolated and unnoticed.

You are asked to plan a picnic for yourself and your fellow employees. How likely is it your style could be characterized as: Take charge: that is, you would make most of the major decisions yourself.

You are asked to plan a picnic for yourself and your fellow employees. How likely is it your style could be characterized as: Follow precedent: you're not really up to the task so you'd do it the way it's been done before.

You are asked to plan a picnic for yourself and your fellow employees. How likely is it your style could be characterized as: Seek participation: get inputs from others who want to make them before you make the final plans.

A coworker was offered a promotion instead of you. In evaluating the situation, how likely is it you would think: You didn't really expect the job; you frequently get passed over.

A coworker was offered a promotion instead of you. In evaluating the situation, how likely is it you would think: The other person probably 'did the right things' politically to get the job.

A coworker was offered a promotion instead of you. In evaluating the situation, how likely is it you would think: You would probably take a look at factors in your own performance that led you to be passed over.

You are embarking on a new career. How likely is it the most important consideration would be: Whether you can do the work without getting in over your head.

You are embarking on a new career. How likely is it the most important consideration would be: How interested you are in that kind of work.

You are embarking on a new career. How likely is it the most important consideration would be: Whether there are good possibilities for advancement.

A female employee's work has been below par and she seems less interested. How likely is it your reaction would be: Tell her that her work is below what is expected and that she should start working harder.

A female employee's work has been below par and she seems less interested. How likely is it your reaction would be: Ask her about the problem and let her know you are available to help work it out.

A female employee's work has been below par and she seems less interested. How likely is it your reaction would be: It's hard to know what to do to get her straightened out.

Your company has promoted you to a position in a far city. As you think about the move, how likely is it you would: Feel interested in the new challenge and a little nervous at the same time.

Your company has promoted you to a position in a far city. As you think about the move, how likely is it you would: Feel excited about the higher status and salary that is involved.

Your company has promoted you to a position in a far city. As you think about the move, how likely is it you would: Feel stressed and anxious about the upcoming changes.

Within your circle of friends, how likely is it the one you choose to spend the most time with is: The one with whom you spend the most time exchanging ideas and feelings.

Within your circle of friends, how likely is it the one you choose to spend the most time with is: The one who is the most popular of them.

Within your circle of friends, how likely is it the one you choose to spend the most time with is: The one who needs you the most as a friend.

Your school-age daughter is doing poorly and seems uninvolved. How likely is it you would: Talk it over with your daughter to understand further what the problem is.

Your school-age daughter is doing poorly and seems uninvolved. How likely is it you would: Scold her and hope she does better.

Your school-age daughter is doing poorly and seems uninvolved. How likely is it you would: Make sure she does the assignments, because she should be working harder.

Your friend has a habit that annoys you to the point of making you angry. How likely is it you would: Point it out each time you notice it, that way maybe he/she will stop doing it.

Your friend has a habit that annoys you to the point of making you angry. How likely is it you would: Try to ignore the habit because talking about it won't do any good anyway.

Your friend has a habit that annoys you to the point of making you angry. How likely is it you would: Try to understand why your partner does it and why it is so upsetting for you.

A close friend has been moody and angry with you over 'nothing.' How likely is it you would: Share your observations with him/her and try to find out what is going on for him/her.

A close friend has been moody and angry with you over 'nothing.' How likely is it you would: Ignore it because there's not much you can do about it anyway.

A close friend has been moody and angry with you over 'nothing.' How likely is it you would: Tell him/her that you're willing to spend time together if and only if he/she makes more effort to control him/herself.

Your friend's younger sister is doing badly in college and your friend asks for advice. How likely is it you would advise: Talk it over with her and try to see what is going on for her.

Your friend's younger sister is doing badly in college and your friend asks for advice. How likely is it you would advise: Not mention it; there's nothing he/she could do about it anyway.

Your friend's younger sister is doing badly in college and your friend asks for advice. How likely is it you would advise: Tell her it's important for her to do well, so she should be working harder.

You feel that your friend is being inconsiderate. How likely is it you would: Find an opportunity to explain why it bothers you; he/she may not even realize how much it is bothering you.

You feel that your friend is being inconsiderate. How likely is it you would: Say nothing; if your friend really cares about you he/she would understand how you feel.

You feel that your friend is being inconsiderate. How likely is it you would: Demand that your friend start being more considerate; otherwise you'll respond in kind.