The College Self-Expression Scale – CSES

Do you ignore it when someone pushes in front of you in line?

When you decide that you no longer wish to date someone, do you have marked difficulty telling that person of your decision?

Would you exchange a purchase you discover to be faulty?

If you decide to change your major to a field which your parents will not approve, would you have difficulty telling them?

Are you inclined to be over apologetic?

If you were studying and if your roommate were making too much noise, would you ask him or her to stop?

Is it difficult for you to compliment and praise others?

If you are angry at your parents, can you tell them?

Do you insist that your roommate do his or her fair share of cleaning?

If you find yourself becoming fond of someone you are dating, would you have difficulty expressing these feelings to that person?

If a friend who has borrowed $5.00 from you seems to have forgotten about it, would you remind this person?

Are you overly careful to avoid hurting other people’s feelings?

If you have a close friend whom your parents dislike and constantly criticize, would you inform your parents that you disagree with them and tell them of your friend’s assets?

Do you find it difficult to ask a friend to do a favor for you?

If food that is not to your satisfaction is served in a restaurant, would you complain about it to the waiter?

If your roommate without your permission eats food that he or she knows you have been saving, can you express your displeasure to your roommate?

If a salesperson has gone to considerable trouble to show you some merchandise which is not quite suitable, do you have difficulty saying no?

Do you keep your opinion to yourself?

If friends visit when you want to study, do you ask them to return at a more convenient time?

Are you able to express love and affection to people for whom you care?

If you were in a small seminar and the professor made a statement that you considered untrue, would you question it?

If a person of the opposite sex whom you have been wanting to meet smiles or directs attention to you at a party, would you take the initiative in beginning a conversation?

If someone you respect expresses opinions with which you strongly disagree, would you venture to state your own point of view?

Do you go out of your way to avoid trouble with other people?

If a friend is wearing a new outfit that you like, do you tell that person so?

If after leaving a store you realize that you have been 'shortchanged,' do you go back and request the correct amount?

If a friend makes what you consider to be an unreasonable request, are you able to refuse?

If a close and respected relative were annoying you, would you hide your feelings rather than express your annoyance?

If your parents want you to come home for a weekend but you have made important plans, would you tell them of your preference?

Do you express anger or annoyance toward the opposite sex when it is justified?

If a friend does an errand for you, do you tell that person how much you appreciate it?

When a person is blatantly unfair, do you fail to say something about it to the person?

Do you avoid social contacts for fear of doing or saying the wrong thing?

If a friend betrays your confidence, would you hesitate to express annoyance to that person?

When a clerk in a store waits on someone who has come in after you, do you call the clerk’s attention to the matter?

If you are particularly happy about someone’s good fortune, can you express this to that person?

Would you be hesitant about asking a good friend to lend you a few dollars?

If a person teases you to the point that it is no longer fun, do you have difficulty expressing your displeasure?

If you arrive late for a meeting, would you rather stand than go to a front seat which could only be secured with a fair degree of conspicuousness?

If your date calls on Saturday night 15 minutes before you are supposed to meet and says that she or he has to study for an important exam and cannot make it, would you express your annoyance?

If someone keeps kicking the back of your chair in a movie, would you ask the person to stop?

If someone interrupts you in the middle of an important conversation, do you request that the person wait until you have finished?

Do you freely volunteer information or opinions in class discussions?

Are you reluctant to speak to an attractive acquaintance of the opposite sex?

If you lived in an apartment and the landlord failed to make necessary repairs after promising to do so, would you insist on it?

If your parents want you home by a certain time which you feel is much too early and unreasonable, do you attempt to discuss or negotiate this with them?

Do you find it difficult to stand up for your rights?

If a friend unjustifiably criticizes you, do you express your resentment there and then?

Do you express your feelings to others?

Do you avoid asking questions in class for fear of feeling self-conscious?