Two-Hundred Forty Item Personality Inventory

NEXT PAGE à
This questionnaire contains 240 statements. Please read each item carefully and circle the number that
best corresponds to your agreement or disagreement. There are no right or wrong answers, and you need
not be an “expert” to complete this questionnaire. Describe yourself honestly and state your opinions as
accurately as possible.

Strongly Disagree Neither Agree Strongly

disagree agree
1 2 3 4 5

1 2 3 4 5 1. I am not a worrier. 1 2 3 4 5 18. I’m pretty set in my ways.

1 2 3 4 5 2. I really like most people I meet. 1 2 3 4 5 19. I would rather cooperate with
others than compete with them.
1 2 3 4 5 3. I have a very active
imagination. 1 2 3 4 5 20. I am easy going and
lackadaisical.
1 2 3 4 5 4. I tend to be cynical and
skeptical of others’ intentions. 1 2 3 4 5 21. I rarely overindulge in
anything.
1 2 3 4 5 5. I’m known for prudence and
common sense. 1 2 3 4 5 22. I often crave excitement.

1 2 3 4 5 6. I often get angry at the way 1 2 3 4 5 23. I often enjoy playing with
people treat me. theories or abstract ideas.

1 2 3 4 5 7. I shy away from crowds of 1 2 3 4 5 24. I don’t mind bragging about my

people. talents and accomplishments.

1 2 3 4 5 8. Aesthetic and artistic concerns 1 2 3 4 5 25. I’m pretty good at pacing

aren’t very important to me. myself so as to get things done
on time.
1 2 3 4 5 9. I’m not crafty or sly.
1 2 3 4 5 26. I often feel helpless and want
1 2 3 4 5 10. I would rather keep my options someone else to solve my
open than plan everything in problems.
advance.
1 2 3 4 5 27. I have never really jumped for
1 2 3 4 5 11. I rarely feel lonely or blue. joy.

1 2 3 4 5 12. I am dominant, forceful, and 1 2 3 4 5 28. I believe letting students hear

assertive. controversial speakers can only
confuse and mislead them.
1 2 3 4 5 13. Without strong emotions, life
would be uninteresting to me. 1 2 3 4 5 29. Political leaders need to be
more aware of the human side
1 2 3 4 5 14. Some people think I am selfish of their policies.
and egotistical.
1 2 3 4 5 30. Over the years I’ve done some
1 2 3 4 5 15. I try to perform all the tasks pretty stupid things.
assigned to me conscientiously.
1 2 3 4 5 31. I am easily frightened.
1 2 3 4 5 16. In dealing with other people, I
always dread making a social 1 2 3 4 5 32. I don’t get much pleasure from
blunder. chatting with people.

1 2 3 4 5 17. I have a leisurely style in work

and play.

NEXT PAGE à
 Strongly Disagree Neither Agree Strongly
disagree agree
1 2 3 4 5

1 2 3 4 5 33. I try to keep all my thoughts 1 2 3 4 5 51. I have trouble resisting my

directed along realistic lines and cravings.
avoid flights of fancy.
1 2 3 4 5 52. I wouldn’t enjoy vacationing in
1 2 3 4 5 34. I believe that most people are Las Vegas.
basically well intentioned.
1 2 3 4 5 53. I find philosophical arguments
1 2 3 4 5 35. I don’t take civic duties like boring.
voting very seriously.
1 2 3 4 5 54. I’d rather not talk about myself
1 2 3 4 5 36. I am an even-tempered person. and my achievements.

1 2 3 4 5 37. I like to have a lot of people 1 2 3 4 5 55. I waste a lot of time before
around me. settling down to work.

1 2 3 4 5 38. I am sometimes completely 1 2 3 4 5 56. I feel I am capable of coping

absorbed in music I am with most of my problems.
listening to.
1 2 3 4 5 57. I have sometimes experienced
1 2 3 4 5 39. If necessary, I am willing to intense joy or ecstasy.
manipulate people to get what I
want. 1 2 3 4 5 58. I believe that laws and social
policies should change to reflect
1 2 3 4 5 40. I keep my belongings neat and the needs of a changing world.
clean.
1 2 3 4 5 59. I’m hard-headed and tough-
1 2 3 4 5 41. Sometimes I feel completely minded in my attitudes.
worthless.
1 2 3 4 5 60. I think things through before
1 2 3 4 5 42. I sometimes fail to assert coming to a decision.
myself as much as I should.
1 2 3 4 5 61. I rarely feel fearful or anxious.
1 2 3 4 5 43. I rarely experience strong
emotions. 1 2 3 4 5 62. I’m known as a warm and
friendly person.
1 2 3 4 5 44. I try to be courteous to
everyone I meet. 1 2 3 4 5 63. I have an active fantasy life.

1 2 3 4 5 45. Sometimes I’m not as 1 2 3 4 5 64. I believe that most people will
dependable or reliable as I take advantage of you if you let
should be. them.

1 2 3 4 5 46. I seldom feel self-conscious 1 2 3 4 5 65. I keep myself informed and

when I am around people. usually make intelligent
decisions.
1 2 3 4 5 47. When I do things, I do them
vigorously. 1 2 3 4 5 66. I am known as hot-blooded and
quick-tempered.
1 2 3 4 5 48. I think it’s interesting to learn
and develop new hobbies. 1 2 3 4 5 67. I usually prefer to do things
alone.
1 2 3 4 5 49. I can be sarcastic and cutting
when I need to be. 1 2 3 4 5 68. Watching ballet or modern
dance bores me.
1 2 3 4 5 50. I have a clear set of goals and
work toward them in an orderly 1 2 3 4 5 69. I couldn’t deceive anyone even
fashion. if I wanted to.
NEXT PAGE à
 Strongly Disagree Neither Agree Strongly
disagree agree
1 2 3 4 5

1 2 3 4 5 70. I am not a very methodical 1 2 3 4 5 89. We can never do too much for
person. the poor and the elderly.

1 2 3 4 5 71. I am seldom sad or depressed. 1 2 3 4 5 90. Occasionally I act first and

think later.
1 2 3 4 5 72. I have often been the leader of
groups I have belonged to. 1 2 3 4 5 91. I often feel tense and jittery.

1 2 3 4 5 73. How I feel about things is 1 2 3 4 5 92. Many people think of me as

important to me. somewhat cold and distant.

1 2 3 4 5 74. Some people think of me as 1 2 3 4 5 93. I don’t like to waste my time

cold and calculating. daydreaming.

1 2 3 4 5 75. I pay my debts promptly and in 1 2 3 4 5 94. I think most of the people I deal
full. with are honest and trustworthy.

1 2 3 4 5 76. At times I have been so 1 2 3 4 5 95. I often come into situations

ashamed I just wanted to hide. without being fully prepared.

1 2 3 4 5 77. My work is likely to be slow 1 2 3 4 5 96. I am not considered a touchy or

but steady. temperamental person.

1 2 3 4 5 78. Once I find the right way to do 1 2 3 4 5 97. I really feel the need for other
something I stick to it. people if I am by myself for
long.
1 2 3 4 5 79. I hesitate to express my anger
even when it’s justified. 1 2 3 4 5 98. I am intrigued by the patterns I
find in art and nature.
1 2 3 4 5 80. When I start a self-
improvement program, I usually 1 2 3 4 5 99. Being perfectly honest is a bad
let it slide after a few days. way to do business.

1 2 3 4 5 81. I have little difficulty resisting 1 2 3 4 5 100. I like to keep everything in its
temptation. place so I know just where it is.

1 2 3 4 5 82. I have sometimes done things 1 2 3 4 5 101. I have sometimes experienced a

just for “kicks” or “thrills.” deep sense of guilt or
sinfulness.
1 2 3 4 5 83. I enjoy solving problems or
puzzles. 1 2 3 4 5 102. In meetings, I usually let others
do the talking.
1 2 3 4 5 84. I’m better than most people and
I know it. 1 2 3 4 5 103. I seldom pay much attention to
my feelings at the moment.
1 2 3 4 5 85. I am a productive person who
always gets the job done. 1 2 3 4 5 104. I generally try to be thoughtful
and considerate.
1 2 3 4 5 86. When I’m under a great deal of
stress, sometimes I feel like I’m 1 2 3 4 5 105. Sometimes I cheat when I play
going to pieces. solitaire.
1 2 3 4 5 87. I am not a cheerful optimist.
1 2 3 4 5 106. It doesn’t embarrass me too
1 2 3 4 5 88. I believe we should look to our much if people ridicule and
religious authorities for tease me.
decisions on moral issues.

NEXT PAGE à
 Strongly Disagree Neither Agree Strongly
disagree agree
1 2 3 4 5

1 2 3 4 5 107. I often feel as if I’m bursting 1 2 3 4 5 125. I pride myself on my sound

with energy. judgment.

1 2 3 4 5 108. I often try new and foreign 1 2 3 4 5 126. I often get disgusted with
foods. people I have to deal with.

1 2 3 4 5 109. If I don’t like people, I let them 1 2 3 4 5 127. I prefer jobs that let me work
know it. alone without being bothered by
other people.
1 2 3 4 5 110. I work hard to accomplish my
goals. 1 2 3 4 5 128. Poetry has little or no effect on
me.
1 2 3 4 5 111. When I am having my favorite
foods, I tend to eat too much. 1 2 3 4 5 129. I would hate to be thought of as
a hypocrite.
1 2 3 4 5 112. I tend to avoid movies that are
shocking or scary. 1 2 3 4 5 130. I never seem to be able to get
organized.
1 2 3 4 5 113. I sometimes lose interest when
people talk about very abstract, 1 2 3 4 5 131. I tend to blame myself when
theoretical matters. anything goes wrong.

1 2 3 4 5 114. I try to be humble. 1 2 3 4 5 132. Other people look to me to

make decisions.
1 2 3 4 5 115. I have trouble making myself
do what I should. 1 2 3 4 5 133. I experience a wide range of
emotions or feelings.
1 2 3 4 5 116. I keep a cool head in
emergencies. 1 2 3 4 5 134. I’m not known for my
generosity.
1 2 3 4 5 117. Sometimes I bubble with
happiness. 1 2 3 4 5 135. When I make a commitment, I
can always be counted on to
1 2 3 4 5 118. I believe that the different ideas follow through.
of right and wrong that people
in other societies have may be 1 2 3 4 5 136. I often feel inferior to others.
valid for them.
1 2 3 4 5 137. I’m not as quick and lively as
1 2 3 4 5 119. I have no sympathy for other people.
panhandlers.
1 2 3 4 5 138. I prefer to spend my time in
1 2 3 4 5 120. I always consider the familiar surroundings.
consequences before I take
action. 1 2 3 4 5 139. When I’ve been insulted, I just
try to forgive and forget.
1 2 3 4 5 121. I’m seldom apprehensive about
the future. 1 2 3 4 5 140. I don’t feel like I’m driven to
get ahead.
1 2 3 4 5 122. I really enjoy talking to people.
1 2 3 4 5 141. I seldom give in to my
1 2 3 4 5 123. I enjoy concentrating on a impulses.
fantasy or daydream and
exploring all its possibilities, 1 2 3 4 5 142. I like to be where the action is.
letting it grow and develop.
1 2 3 4 5 143. I enjoy working on “mind-
1 2 3 4 5 124. I’m suspicious when someone twister”-type puzzles.
does something nice for me.
NEXT PAGE à
 Strongly Disagree Neither Agree Strongly
disagree agree
1 2 3 4 5

1 2 3 4 5 144. I have a very high opinion of 1 2 3 4 5 162. I would rather go my own way
myself. than be a leader of others.

1 2 3 4 5 145. Once I start a project, I almost 1 2 3 4 5 163. I seldom notice the moods or
always finish it. feelings that different
environments produce.
1 2 3 4 5 146. It’s often hard for me to make
up my mind. 1 2 3 4 5 164. Most people I know like me.

1 2 3 4 5 147. I don’t consider myself 1 2 3 4 5 165. I adhere strictly to my ethical

especially “light-hearted.” principles.

1 2 3 4 5 148. I believe that loyalty to one’s 1 2 3 4 5 166. I feel comfortable in the

ideals and principles is more presence of my bosses or other
important than “open- authorities.
mindedness.”
1 2 3 4 5 167. I usually seem to be in a hurry.
1 2 3 4 5 149. Human need should always take
priority over economic 1 2 3 4 5 168. Sometimes I make changes
considerations. around the house just to try
1 2 3 4 5 150. I often do things on the spur of something different.
the moment.
1 2 3 4 5 169. If someone starts a fight, I’m
1 2 3 4 5 151. I often worry about things that ready to fight back.
might go wrong.
1 2 3 4 5 170. I strive to achieve all I can.
1 2 3 4 5 152. I find it easy to be outgoing
with strangers. 1 2 3 4 5 171. I sometimes eat myself sick.

1 2 3 4 5 153. If I feel my mind starting to 1 2 3 4 5 172. I love the excitement of roller

drift off in daydreams I usually coasters.
get busy and start concentrating
on some work or activity 1 2 3 4 5 173. I have little interest in
instead. speculating on the nature of the
universe or the human
1 2 3 4 5 154. My first reaction is to trust condition.
people.
1 2 3 4 5 174. I feel that I am no better than
1 2 3 4 5 155. I don’t seem to be completely others, no matter what their
successful at anything. condition.

1 2 3 4 5 156. It takes a lot to get mad at me. 1 2 3 4 5 175. When a project gets too
difficult, I’m inclined to start a
1 2 3 4 5 157. I’d rather vacation at a popular new one.
beach than an isolated cabin in
the woods. 1 2 3 4 5 176. I can handle myself pretty well
in a crisis.
1 2 3 4 5 158. Certain kinds of music have an
endless fascination for me. 1 2 3 4 5 177. I am a cheerful, high-spirited
person.
1 2 3 4 5 159. Sometimes I trick people into
doing what I want. 1 2 3 4 5 178. I consider myself broad-minded
and tolerant of other people’s
1 2 3 4 5 160. I tend to be somewhat lifestyles.
fastidious or exacting.
1 2 3 4 5 179. I believe all human beings are
1 2 3 4 5 161. I have a low opinion of myself. worthy of respect.
NEXT PAGE à
 Strongly Disagree Neither Agree Strongly
disagree agree
1 2 3 4 5

1 2 3 4 5 180. I rarely make hasty decisions. 1 2 3 4 5 198. On a vacation, I prefer going

back to a tried and true spot.
1 2 3 4 5 181. I have fewer fears than most
people. 1 2 3 4 5 199. I’m hard-headed and stubborn.

1 2 3 4 5 182. I have strong emotional 1 2 3 4 5 200. I strive for excellence in

attachments to my friends. everything I do.

1 2 3 4 5 183. As a child I rarely enjoyed 1 2 3 4 5 201. Sometimes I do things on

games of make believe. impulse that I later regret.

1 2 3 4 5 184. I tend to assume the best about 1 2 3 4 5 202. I’m attracted to bright colors
people. and flashy styles.

1 2 3 4 5 185. I’m a very competent person. 1 2 3 4 5 203. I have a lot of intellectual

curiosity.
1 2 3 4 5 186. At times I have felt bitter and
resentful. 1 2 3 4 5 204. I would rather praise others
than be praised myself.
1 2 3 4 5 187. Social gatherings are usually
boring to me. 1 2 3 4 5 205. There are so many jobs that
need to be done that sometimes
1 2 3 4 5 188. Sometimes when I’m reading I just ignore them all.
poetry or looking at a work of
art, I feel a chill or wave of 1 2 3 4 5 206. When everything seems to be
excitement. going wrong I can still make
good decisions.
1 2 3 4 5 189. At times I bully or flatter
people into doing what I want 1 2 3 4 5 207. I rarely use words like
them to do. “fantastic!” or “sensational” to
describe my experiences.
1 2 3 4 5 190. I’m not compulsive about
cleaning. 1 2 3 4 5 208. I think that if people don’t
know what they believe in by
1 2 3 4 5 191. Sometimes things look pretty the time they’re 25, there’s
bleak and hopeless to me. something wrong with them.

1 2 3 4 5 192. In conversations, I tend to do 1 2 3 4 5 209. I have sympathy for others less

most of the talking. fortunate than me.

1 2 3 4 5 193. I find it easy to empathize-to 1 2 3 4 5 210. I plan ahead carefully when I

feel myself what others are go on a trip.
feeling.
1 2 3 4 5 211. Frightening thoughts
1 2 3 4 5 194. I think of myself as a sometimes come into my head.
charitable person.
1 2 3 4 5 212. I take a personal interest in the
1 2 3 4 5 195. I try to do jobs carefully, so people I work with.
they won’t have to be done
again. 1 2 3 4 5 213. I would have difficulty just
letting my mind wander
1 2 3 4 5 196. If I have said or done the without control or guidance.
wrong thing to someone, I can
hardly bear to face them again. 1 2 3 4 5 214. I have a good deal of faith in
human nature.
1 2 3 4 5 197. My life is fast-paced.

NEXT PAGE à
 Strongly Disagree Neither Agree Strongly
disagree agree
1 2 3 4 5

1 2 3 4 5 232. I like being part of the crowd

1 2 3 4 5 215. I am efficient and effective at at sporting events.
my work.
1 2 3 4 5 233. I have a wide range of
1 2 3 4 5 216. Even minor annoyances can be intellectual interests.
frustrating to me.
1 2 3 4 5 234. I’m a superior person.
1 2 3 4 5 217. I enjoy parties with lots of
people. 1 2 3 4 5 235. I have a lot of self-discipline.

1 2 3 4 5 218. I enjoy reading poetry that 1 2 3 4 5 236. I’m pretty stable emotionally.
emphasizes feelings and
images more than story lines. 1 2 3 4 5 237. I laugh easily.

1 2 3 4 5 219. I pride myself on my 1 2 3 4 5 238. I believe that the “new

shrewdness in handling people. morality” of permissiveness is
no morality at all.
1 2 3 4 5 220. I spend a lot of time looking
for thing’s I’ve misplaced. 1 2 3 4 5 239. I would rather be known as
“merciful” than as “just.”
1 2 3 4 5 221. Too often, when things go
wrong, I get discouraged and 1 2 3 4 5 240. I think twice before I answer a
feel like giving up. question.

1 2 3 4 5 222. I don’t find it easy to take

charge of a situation.

1 2 3 4 5 223. Odd things – like certain scents

or the names of distant places
– can evoke strong moods in
me.

1 2 3 4 5 224. I go out of my way to help

others if I can.

1 2 3 4 5 225. I’d really have to be sick

before I’d miss a day of work.

1 2 3 4 5 226. When people I know do

foolish things, I get
embarrassed for them.

1 2 3 4 5 227. I am a very active person.

1 2 3 4 5 228. I follow the same route when I

go someplace.

1 2 3 4 5 229. I often get into arguments with

my family and co-workers.

1 2 3 4 5 230. I’m something of a

“workaholic.”

1 2 3 4 5 231. I am always able to keep my

feelings under control.