Learned Optimism Assessment

Based on Dr. Martin Seligman's 48-question Attributional Style Questionnaire (ASQ) from Learned Optimism (Chapter 3). Read each situation and choose option A or B.

1. The project you are managing fails to meet its deadline.
2. You receive a major compliment from your manager on a presentation.
3. You get into a heated disagreement with a close friend or colleague.
4. You successfully land a high-value new client.
5. You apply for a promotion at work and do not get selected.
6. You host a dinner party and all the guests have a wonderful time.
7. You forget to pay a utility bill on time and incur a late penalty.
8. Your team successfully resolves a critical technical crisis.
9. You fail your driving license or certification exam on the first try.
10. You salvage a key client relationship that was on the verge of ending.
11. You miss an important deadline for a client submission.
12. You successfully negotiate a significant discount on a large purchase.
13. You make an error while presenting key financial data in a meeting.
14. You win an industry award or community recognition.
15. You gain weight over a 3-month period.
16. You recover quickly from a mild illness or injury.
17. A close friend stops reaching out to you as often as before.
18. You receive a financial bonus or unexpected dividend.
19. Your computer crashes and you lose an unsaved document.
20. You successfully organize a complex event with zero errors.
21. You buy a piece of home equipment or appliance and it breaks quickly.
22. You effortlessly learn a complex new skill or software tool.
23. You arrive late to an important appointment.
24. A stranger offers you a warm compliment or gesture.
25. You lose your temper during a discussion.
26. You successfully complete a strenuous physical fitness goal.
27. A customer leaves a negative review about your service.
28. You write an article or post that receives wide engagement.
29. You get lost while driving to a new location.
30. You diffuse a tense conflict between two team members.
31. Your investment or savings yield lower returns than expected.
32. You make a great impression during an interview or networking event.
33. You fail to stick to your daily routine or habit plan.
34. You are given an expanded role or broader responsibilities at work.
35. You forget an important personal anniversary or birthday.
36. You resolve a difficult customer support ticket with praise.
37. Your request for a budget increase for your department is denied.
38. You complete a major long-term project under budget.
39. You feel completely drained and unproductive during a workday.
40. You secure a top-tier vendor partnership deal.
41. A personal goal you set for yourself falls through.
42. You receive unexpected positive media coverage or social recognition.
43. You fail to close a sale with a warm prospect.
44. You win a competitive game or sports match.
45. You experience a setback in your personal health or wellness journey.
46. You receive high marks on an academic or professional evaluation.
47. Your team fails to achieve its quarterly sales quota.
48. You successfully launch a new initiative or product line.

Your Assessment Report & Explanatory Profile

Overall Explanatory Score (G - B)
Your overall optimistic vs. pessimistic balance score.
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Hope Score (HoB = PmB + PvB)
Measures resilience and protection against helplessness during setbacks.
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Summary Totals

Total Good (G)
Overall positivity score across positive events
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Total Bad (B)
Overall pessimism score across negative events
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Detailed Dimension Breakdown

Permanence Bad (PmB)
Belief that bad events are permanent (Lower is better)
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Permanence Good (PmG)
Belief that good events are permanent (Higher is better)
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Pervasiveness Bad (PvB)
Belief that bad events ruin everything (Lower is better)
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Pervasiveness Good (PvG)
Belief that good events enhance all life areas (Higher is better)
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Personalization Bad (PsB)
Internalizing fault for bad events (Lower is higher self-esteem)
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Personalization Good (PsG)
Owning credit for good events (Higher is higher self-esteem)
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