Riverside Situational Q-sort

Version 3

1. Situation is potentially enjoyable.

2. Situation is complex.

3. A job needs to be done.

4. Someone is trying to impress P.

5. Someone is trying to convince P of something.

6. P is counted on to do something.

7. Talking is permitted.

8. Talking is expected or demanded.

9. P is being asked for something.

10. Someone needs help.

11. Minor details are important.

12. Situation evokes values concerning lifestyles or politics.

13. Affords an opportunity to demonstrate intellectual capacity (e.g., an intellectual discussion, a complex problem needs to be solved).

14. Situation is uncertain.

15. Another person [present or discussed] is under threat.

16. P is being criticized, directly or indirectly.

17. Someone is attempting to dominate or “boss” P.

18. Situation is playful.

19. Introspection is possible (e.g., the atmosphere allows or encourages reflection upon deeply personal issues).

20. Things are happening quickly (low placement implies things are happening slowly).

21. Someone [present or discussed] is unhappy or suffering.

22. A reassuring other person is present.

23. P is being blamed for something.

24. A decision needs to be made.

25. Rational thinking is called for.

26. Situation calls for self-restraint.

27. Situation involves competition.

28. Affords an opportunity for P to do things that might make P liked or accepted.

29. Others are present who need or desire reassurance.

30. Situation entails frustration (e.g., a goal is blocked).

31. Physical attractiveness of P is relevant.

32. It is important for P to make a good impression.

33. Situation would make some people tense and upset.

34. Situation includes one or more small annoyances.

35. Situation might evoke warmth or compassion.

36. A person or activity could be undermined or sabotaged.

37. It is possible for P to deceive someone.

38. Someone else in this situation [other than P] might be deceitful.

39. Situation may cause feelings of hostility.

40. People are disagreeing about something.

41. Affords an opportunity to express unusual ideas or points of view.

42. Situation contains physical threats (to P).

43. Situation contains emotional threats (to P).

44. Situation raises moral or ethical issues (e.g., a moral dilemma is present; a discussion of morality).

45. A quick decision or quick action is called for.

46. Situation allows a free range of emotional expression.

47. Others present might have conflicting or hidden motives.

48. Situation entails or could entail stress or trauma.

49. Affords an opportunity to ruminate, daydream, or fantasize.

50. Situation has potential to arouse guilt (in P).

51. Close personal relationships are present or have the potential to develop.

52. Someone [other than P] is counted on to do something.

53. Situation includes intellectual or cognitive stimuli (e.g., books, lectures, intellectual conversation).

54. Assertiveness is required to accomplish a goal.

55. Situation includes potential for immediate gratification of desires (e.g., food, shopping, sexual opportunities).

56. Social interaction is possible.

57. Situation is humorous or potentially humorous (if one finds that sort of thing funny).

58. P is the focus of attention.

59. Situation includes sensuous stimuli (e.g., touch, taste, smell, physical contact).

60. Situation is relevant to P’s bodily health (e.g., possibility of illness; a medical visit).

61. Success in this situation requires self-insight.

62. P controls resources needed by others.

63. Other people are displaying a wide range of interpersonal cues.

64. Situation includes behavioral limits (that might or might not be challenged).

65. Situation includes aesthetic stimuli (e.g., art, music, drama, beauty).

66. Situation is potentially anxiety-inducing.

67. Situation includes explicit or implicit demands on P.

68. Affords an opportunity to express or demonstrate ambition.

69. Situation raises issues of personal adequacy (e.g., includes demands or expectations that P might not be able to meet).

70. Situation includes stimuli that could be construed sexually.

71. Situational demands are rapidly shifting.

72. P is being abused or victimized.

73. Members of the opposite sex are present.

74. Potential romantic partners [for P] are present.   

75. Situation has potential to arouse internal conflicts and related anxiety (e.g., ambivalence, competing motivations).

76. Situation is basically simple and clear-cut.

77. Affords an opportunity to express one’s charm.

78. Situation involves social comparison.

79. Situation raises issues of power (for P or others present).

80. Affords an opportunity to express masculinity or femininity (depending on whether P is male or female, respectively).

81. Others may need or are requesting advice from P.

82. P’s independence or autonomy is questioned or threatened.

83. Situation is potentially emotionally arousing.

84. Affords an opportunity for demonstrating verbal fluency (e.g., a debate, a monologue, an active conversation).

85. People who are present occupy different social roles or levels of status.

86. P is being pressured to conform to the actions of others.

87. Success requires cooperation.

88. P is being complimented or praised.