Defensiveness Inventory-- How Defensive Am I?

INSTRUCTIONS:
For each of the statements below, indicate how true each is for you.

1. Never True
2. Almost Never True
3. Sometimes True
4. Usually True
5. Almost Always True

____ 1. When I get sexually aroused, I start thinking about something else.

____ 2. Whenever I experience anger, I keep it inside, choosing not to express it.

____ 3. I can offer explanations very easily and often for why I commit acts I recognize deep down as being wrong.

____ 4. I put things off reasoning that I can start tomorrow or make up then what I should have done today.

____ 5. I misread people by attributing to them thoughts, feelings, and intentions that are not their own.

____ 6. I feel threatened when I'm in the presence of people I don't like.

____ 7. I am very polite and courteous to adversaries when I would rather attack.

____ 8. When I feel afraid or insecure, I pretend I'm happy-go-lucky, joking around and laughing.

____ 9. When I have a bad day at school or work, I unload my frustrations on younger or less powerful people in my circle of family, friends and acquaintances.

____ 10. I've been known to attack, both verbally or emotionally, defenseless people for no good reason.

____ 11. I am a hero worshipper- imitating sports stars, musical artists or others of high repute.

____ 12. If I didn't belong to a clique or in-group of some kind, I would feel left out. naked or exposed.

____13. When I get upset, I either go out drinking and partying or just start acting silly.

____ 14. When mad, I pout and refuse to talk about what upsets me.

____ 15. On days when things are not going well, I dream about better times in the future.

____ 16. I often replay and win arguments in my mind well after they have finished.

____ 17. I like to find theories and explanations for my unacceptable behaviours,thoughts and feelings.

____ 18. I don't believe mistreatment directed at me should be taken too seriously. I maintain that sociological, psychological, and economic factors cause people to do what they do.

____ 19. I refuse to admit publicly that family and friends do things that are wrong and personally embarrassing.

____ 20. I pretend not to hear or see things that I don't like.

____ 21. I try to transform my undesirable impulses into actions that are socially acceptable.

____ 22. I use creative or constructive outlets (e.g., painting, jogging ) to vent my frustrations.

How to Score
All the above statements reflect defensive acts or tendencies. Add all the numbers that you placed in the Score column. Divide by 22. Round your score, if necessary. This will give you your average score.

These results are tentative and may need to be verified. You may want to discuss the results with someone you trust and know well.

The statements are grouped in pairs, each relating to particular defence mechanisms that you'll learn about in the chapter.