Self-Presentation Tactics Scale – SPTS

I behave in ways that make other people afraid of me.

I use my size and strength to influence people when I need to.

If I harm someone, I apologise and promise not to do it again.

I offer explanations before doing something that others might think is wrong.

I justify my behavior to reduce negative reactions from others.

I tell people when I do well at tasks others find difficult.

I use my weaknesses to get sympathy from others.

I ask others to help me.

I express the same attitudes as others so they will accept me.

When I believe I will not perform well, I offer excuses beforehand.

I use flattery to win the favor of others.

I get sick when under a lot of pressure to do well.

I apologise when I have done something wrong.

I lead others to believe that I cannot do something in order to get help.

I try to serve as a model for how a person should behave.

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I try to get the approval of others before doing something they might perceive negatively.

I try to make up for any harm I have done to others.

In telling others about things that I own, I also tell them of their value.

I point out the incorrect positions of the opposing political party.

I try to induce imitation by others by serving as a positive example.

When telling someone about past events, I claim more credit for doing positive things than was warranted by the actual events.

I tell people about my positive accomplishments.

I try to set an example for others to follow.

I justify beforehand actions others may not like.

I try to get others to act in the same positive way I do.

I have put others down in order to make myself look better.

I do favors for people in order to get them to like me.

I accept blame for bad behavior when it is clearly my fault.

I exaggerate the value of my accomplishments.

I hesitate and hope others will take responsibility for group tasks.

I threaten others when I think it will help me get what I want from them.

I express opinions that other people will like.

I say negative things about unpopular groups.

I try to convince others that I am not responsible for negative events.

When things go wrong, I explain why I am not responsible.

I act in ways I think others should act.

I tell others about my positive qualities.

When I am blamed for something, I make excuses.

I point out the positive things I do which other people fail to notice.

I do correct people who underestimate the value of gifts that I give to them.

Poor health has been responsible for my getting mediocre grades in school.

I help others so they will help me.

I offer socially acceptable reasons to justify behavior that others might not like.

When others view my behavior as negative, I offer explanations so that they will understand that my behavior was justified.

When working on a project with a group I make my contribution seem greater than it is.

I exaggerate the negative qualities of people who compete with me.

I make up excuses for poor performance.

I offer an excuse for possibly not performing well before taking a very difficult test.

I express remorse and guilt when I do something wrong.

I intimidate others.

When I want something, I try to look good.

I do not prepare well enough for exams because I get too involved in social activities.

I tell others they are stronger or more competent than me in order to get others to do things for me.

I claim credit for doing things I did not do.

I make negative statements about people belonging to rival groups.

I put obstacles in the way of my own success.

Anxiety interferes with my performances.

I do things to make people afraid of me so that they will do what I want.

When I succeed at a task, I emphasize to others how important the task was.

I offer good reasons for my behavior no matter how bad it may seem to others.

To avoid being blamed, I let others know that I did not intend any harm.

I compliment people to get them on my side.

After a negative action, I try to make others understand that if they had been in my position they would have done the same thing.