World Assumptions Scale (WAS) Test
Understand how stress or trauma may have shifted core beliefs about safety, fairness, and self worth in about 6 minutes. Pinpoint 32 key belief areas to guide targeted therapy and support recovery from trauma and depression.
08:30
Scale Explorer
How the Scales are Structured
DATA-BASED USER COHORTS
Who Usually Takes This Test?
BASED ON AGGREGATED, ANONYMIZED DATA FROM TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FREUDLY USERS.
Benchmarking
See How You Compare
Once you complete the test, your results are compared with real-world data from people in your country.
Below is a preview of how scores are typically distributed across each scale.
Below is a preview of how scores are typically distributed across each scale.
Degree of luck/favorability (Dol)
Degree of luck/favorability (Dol)
Average
4.6
Normal range
4 — 5.3
min.
1
max.
6
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.
General Attitude Toward the Kindness of the World (GATtKotW)
General Attitude Toward the Kindness of the World (GATtKotW)
Average
3.5
Normal range
2.5 — 4.4
min.
1
max.
6
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.
Belief About One's Own Worth (BAOOW)
Belief About One's Own Worth (BAOOW)
Average
2.6
Normal range
1.7 — 3.5
min.
1
max.
6
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.
General Attitude Towards the Meaningfulness of the World (GATtMotW)
General Attitude Towards the Meaningfulness of the World (GATtMotW)
Average
3
Normal range
2.3 — 3.7
min.
1
max.
6
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.
The Benevolence of the World (TBotW)
The Benevolence of the World (TBotW)
Average
4
Normal range
3.2 — 4.8
min.
1
max.
6
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.
The Kindness of People (TKoP)
The Kindness of People (TKoP)
Average
3
Normal range
2.4 — 3.7
min.
1
max.
6
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.
Justice of the World (JotW)
Justice of the World (JotW)
Average
4.2
Normal range
3.4 — 4.9
min.
1
max.
6
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.
Controllability of the world (Cotw)
Controllability of the world (Cotw)
Average
3.3
Normal range
2.5 — 4
min.
1
max.
6
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.
Randomness as a Principle (RaaP)
Randomness as a Principle (RaaP)
Average
2.7
Normal range
2 — 3.5
min.
1
max.
6
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.
The Value of the Self (TVotS)
The Value of the Self (TVotS)
Average
4.2
Normal range
3.5 — 4.9
min.
1
max.
6
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.
Degree of self-control (Dos)
Degree of self-control (Dos)
Average
2.3
Normal range
1.7 — 2.9
min.
1
max.
6
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.
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SAMPLE QUESTIONS
Example Questions From the Test
- Strongly disagree
- Disagree
- Somewhat disagree
- Somewhat agree
- Agree
- Strongly agree
- Strongly disagree
- Disagree
- Somewhat disagree
- Somewhat agree
- Agree
- Strongly agree
- Strongly disagree
- Disagree
- Somewhat disagree
- Somewhat agree
- Agree
- Strongly agree
WHAT THE TEST MEASURES
About This Assessment
/https://cdn.freudly.ai/media/tests/2082/image/1765497821_day_image_20251212_000340.png "Basic Beliefs Scale, WAS Test")
World Assumptions Scale (WAS) Test - Symptoms and Signs
After exposure to significant stress or trauma, an individual’s core beliefs about the self and the world may shift. The World Assumptions Scale (WAS) is a self-report measure designed to assess foundational assumptions such as perceived benevolence and justice of the world, personal worth, and beliefs about control and predictability. It is commonly used to inform clinical formulation and to support research on cognitive appraisals associated with psychological distress.
Developed by R. Janoff-Bulman, the instrument consists of 32 items and typically takes about 6 minutes to complete. Results from the World Assumptions Scale (WAS) can help identify domains of disrupted assumptions that may be clinically relevant in presentations involving trauma-related symptoms, depression, or adjustment difficulties, and can be used to guide case conceptualization and treatment planning.
Author: R. Janoff-Bulman
Literature: Janoff-Bulman, R. Shattered assumptions: Towards a new psychology of trauma. Free Press. 1992.; Berry, J. W., Poortinga, Y. H., Breugelmans, S. M., Chasiotis, A., & Sam, D. L. Cross-cultural psychology: Research and applications. Cambridge University Press. 2011.
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