The College Self-Expression Scale – CSES

Measures assertiveness in college students, reflecting positive assertiveness, negative assertiveness, and self-denial.

50 Questions

~13 min

Custom

0 / 50

About You

Please provide the following information before starting the assessment. This data is used for research purposes only and will remain confidential.

Gender *

Age *

Education Level

Country / Nationality

Instructions

Please read each statement carefully and select the option that best describes how you typically behave or feel in the situation described.

0 Almost always or always

1 Usually

2 Sometimes

3 Seldom

4 Never or rarely

1

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

Almost always or always Usually Sometimes Seldom Never or rarely

2

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

Almost always or always Usually Sometimes Seldom Never or rarely

3

Would you exchange a purchase you discover to be faulty?

Almost always or always Usually Sometimes Seldom Never or rarely

4

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

Almost always or always Usually Sometimes Seldom Never or rarely

5

Are you inclined to be over apologetic?

Almost always or always Usually Sometimes Seldom Never or rarely

6

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

Almost always or always Usually Sometimes Seldom Never or rarely

7

Is it difficult for you to compliment and praise others?

Almost always or always Usually Sometimes Seldom Never or rarely

8

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

Almost always or always Usually Sometimes Seldom Never or rarely

9

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

Almost always or always Usually Sometimes Seldom Never or rarely

10

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

Almost always or always Usually Sometimes Seldom Never or rarely

11

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

Almost always or always Usually Sometimes Seldom Never or rarely

12

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

Almost always or always Usually Sometimes Seldom Never or rarely

13

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?

Almost always or always Usually Sometimes Seldom Never or rarely

14

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

Almost always or always Usually Sometimes Seldom Never or rarely

15

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

Almost always or always Usually Sometimes Seldom Never or rarely

16

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?

Almost always or always Usually Sometimes Seldom Never or rarely

17

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

Almost always or always Usually Sometimes Seldom Never or rarely

18

Do you keep your opinion to yourself?

Almost always or always Usually Sometimes Seldom Never or rarely

19

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

Almost always or always Usually Sometimes Seldom Never or rarely

20

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

Almost always or always Usually Sometimes Seldom Never or rarely

21

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

Almost always or always Usually Sometimes Seldom Never or rarely

22

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?

Almost always or always Usually Sometimes Seldom Never or rarely

23

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

Almost always or always Usually Sometimes Seldom Never or rarely

24

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

Almost always or always Usually Sometimes Seldom Never or rarely

25

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

Almost always or always Usually Sometimes Seldom Never or rarely

26

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

Almost always or always Usually Sometimes Seldom Never or rarely

27

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

Almost always or always Usually Sometimes Seldom Never or rarely

28

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

Almost always or always Usually Sometimes Seldom Never or rarely

29

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

Almost always or always Usually Sometimes Seldom Never or rarely

30

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

Almost always or always Usually Sometimes Seldom Never or rarely

31

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

Almost always or always Usually Sometimes Seldom Never or rarely

32

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

Almost always or always Usually Sometimes Seldom Never or rarely

33

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

Almost always or always Usually Sometimes Seldom Never or rarely

34

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

Almost always or always Usually Sometimes Seldom Never or rarely

35

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?

Almost always or always Usually Sometimes Seldom Never or rarely

36

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

Almost always or always Usually Sometimes Seldom Never or rarely

37

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

Almost always or always Usually Sometimes Seldom Never or rarely

38

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

Almost always or always Usually Sometimes Seldom Never or rarely

39

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?

Almost always or always Usually Sometimes Seldom Never or rarely

40

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?

Almost always or always Usually Sometimes Seldom Never or rarely

41

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

Almost always or always Usually Sometimes Seldom Never or rarely

42

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

Almost always or always Usually Sometimes Seldom Never or rarely

43

Do you freely volunteer information or opinions in class discussions?

Almost always or always Usually Sometimes Seldom Never or rarely

44

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

Almost always or always Usually Sometimes Seldom Never or rarely

45

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

Almost always or always Usually Sometimes Seldom Never or rarely

46

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?

Almost always or always Usually Sometimes Seldom Never or rarely

47

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

Almost always or always Usually Sometimes Seldom Never or rarely

48

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

Almost always or always Usually Sometimes Seldom Never or rarely

49

Do you express your feelings to others?

Almost always or always Usually Sometimes Seldom Never or rarely

50

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

Almost always or always Usually Sometimes Seldom Never or rarely

Answer all questions to submit