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Negative Self-Perception Scale (NSPS)

Negative Self-Perception Scale (NSPS) Test

Understand how strongly you fear others will notice and judge your flaws in social settings in about 5 minutes. A quick 27 item scale that pinpoints key distress areas and helps track progress over time.

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Questions: 275 minutes

Hi! My name is Freudly, i am an AI therapist, I will give you an interpretation of the test after you complete it.

08:30

October 2, 2025

October 2, 2025
Material has been updated

October 2, 2025
Material has been published

11,314 views

684 completions

595 likes

Verified by Daniel Hall

Psychologist with 25 years of experience

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How the Scales are Structured

example score

56/100

Negative Self-Perception (NSP)

Measures the extent of distress and concern that one’s perceived flaws will be noticed and negatively judged by others in social situations.

Low concern

Moderate concern

High concern

0 – 33: Low concern | 34 – 66: Moderate concern | 67 – 100: High concern

A score of 56 indicates a moderate level of negative self-image concerns, suggesting noticeable but not extreme worry about being evaluated for perceived weaknesses.

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DATA-BASED USER COHORTS

Who Usually Takes This Test?

Socially anxious adults

41%OF USERS

People who feel tense in conversations or groups and worry others will notice their flaws or mistakes.

Clients in therapy

34%OF USERS

People working with a counselor on self-esteem, shame, or avoidance who want to pinpoint triggers and track change.

Students and early-career professionals

25%OF USERS

People facing interviews, presentations, or new social circles who fear being judged for looking awkward or incompetent.

BASED ON AGGREGATED, ANONYMIZED DATA FROM TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FREUDLY USERS.

RESULTS YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE

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Used in 52+ countries

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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.

Negative Self-Image Scale, NSPS (NSSN)

Average

29.2

Normal range

13.9 — 44.5

min.

max.

100

Majority

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.

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CLEAR ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this questionnaire measure?

It measures distress related to fears that personal flaws will be noticed and judged in social situations. It focuses on negative self-evaluation and concern about others’ reactions.

Who is this questionnaire intended for?

It is intended for use with adolescents and adults in clinical, counseling, or research settings. It may be used when concerns about social evaluation, self-esteem, or social avoidance are being assessed.

How long does it take and how many items are included?

It includes 27 items and typically takes about 5 minutes to complete. Most respondents can finish it in one sitting without breaks.

How should responses be completed?

Each item should be rated based on how much concern or distress it would cause in social situations. Responses should reflect typical experience rather than a single unusual event.

How are scores interpreted and used?

Higher scores indicate greater distress about perceived vulnerabilities being noticed and negatively evaluated. Results are used to identify key areas of concern and to monitor change over time.

WHAT THE TEST MEASURES

About This Assessment

Negative Self-Perception Scale (NSPS) Test - Symptoms and Signs

appearance evaluation social anxiety

This self-report measure assesses concerns that others will notice and negatively evaluate perceived personal flaws in social contexts. The Negative Self-Perception Scale (NSPS) is intended to quantify the intensity of anxiety related to anticipated criticism of one’s weaknesses and mistakes. The measure contains 27 items and typically requires about 5 minutes to complete.

Item content focuses on fear of scrutiny and negative judgment regarding perceived vulnerabilities (e.g., appearing insecure, making errors, or being seen as inadequate). The Negative Self-Perception Scale (NSPS) may be used in clinical and research settings to characterize social-evaluative concerns, inform case formulation, and support symptom monitoring over time. Author information provided: psytests.org (2024).

Author: psytests.org (2024)

Literature: Moscovitch, D. A., & Huyder, V. The negative self-portrayal scale: Development, validation, and application to social anxiety. Behavior Therapy. 2011.

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