Perceived Guilt Index (PGI) Test

Understand whether guilt is a passing feeling or a lasting trait in just 1 minute. Two quick items give clear, situation-specific insight for therapy, youth work, and other focused evaluations.

Questions: 21 minute

Perceived Guilt Index (PGI): situation and reply bubbles

October 2, 2025October 2, 2025Material has been updatedOctober 2, 2025Material has been published

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2,313 completions

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Daniel Hall Psychologist · Test reviewer

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Scale Explorer

How the Scales are Structured

Perceived Guilt IndexPGI

Measures the overall intensity with which a person experiences guilt in relation to a specific context or event.

example score10/20

10/20Average guilt intensityexample score

0 – 9Lower guilt intensity

10Average guilt intensity

11 – 20Higher guilt intensity

A score of 10 indicates an average level of guilt intensity for the referenced situation, neither notably low nor high.

Trait GuiltTG

Measures how strongly a person tends to experience guilt as a stable personality trait across situations.

example score9/11

9/11Highexample score

1 – 4Low

5 – 8Moderate

9 – 11High

A score of 9 falls in the High range, suggesting a pronounced tendency to experience guilt as a persistent trait rather than only in response to specific events.

State GuiltSG

Measures the intensity of guilt experienced as a temporary emotional state in response to a specific situation.

example score5/11

5/11Moderate state guiltexample score

1 – 3Low state guilt

4 – 7Moderate state guilt

8 – 11High state guilt

A score of 5 falls in the Moderate state guilt range, suggesting a noticeable but not overwhelming situational guilt response.

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DATA-BASED USER COHORTS

Who Usually Takes This Test?

Therapy clients after conflict

41%OF USERS

People in individual or family therapy take it right after a specific argument or mistake to gauge how strongly guilt is affecting them.

Counselors working with teens

34%OF USERS

School psychologists and youth counselors use it after a concrete incident to see whether guilt is shaping a minor’s behavior and choices.

Professionals reviewing misconduct

25%OF USERS

HR, coaches, or supervisors use it following a workplace or team incident to understand whether guilt is a passing reaction or a more stable trait.

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.

Shaded area — where most people score

Dot — the average

You — your score lands on each curve after the test— your score, after the test

Perceived Guilt IndexPGI

You?

Average9.8

Typical rangeTypical6.4 – 13.2

Possible0 – 20

Guilt as a TraitGaaT

You?

Average7.9

Typical rangeTypical6.1 – 9.7

Possible1 – 11

Guilt as a StateGaaS

You?

Average3.9

Typical rangeTypical2.1 – 5.6

Possible1 – 11

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SAMPLE QUESTIONS

Example Questions From the Test

Below is a list of words and phrases that people use to describe their feelings in different situations. Please select the one word or phrase that most accurately describes how you are feeling at this moment. Before making your selection, review the entire list of feelings carefully. Note: select only one word or phrase that best describes what you are feeling right now.

- Judgmental
- Innocent
- Depressed
- Ashamed
- Calm
- Unworthy
- Disappointed
- Restrained
- Down
- Irritable
- Unforgivable
- Judgmental
- Not guilty
- Depressed
- Ashamed
- Calm
- Unworthy
- Disappointed
- Restrained
- Dejected
- Irritable
- Unforgivable

These are 2 of the 2 real questions — the rest appear in the test. No sign-up needed to start.

WHAT THE TEST MEASURES

About This Assessment

Perceived Guilt Index (PGI) Test - Symptoms and Signs

guilt

In clinical and research settings, the Perceived Guilt Index (PGI) is a very brief self-report measure designed to assess the intensity and salience of guilt as experienced by the respondent. It is typically used to characterize guilt in relation to a specific event or context rather than as a standalone screening tool.

Developed by Munz and Otterbacher, the instrument consists of 2 items and takes about 1 minute to complete. Results from the Perceived Guilt Index (PGI) may help inform case formulation by clarifying the degree to which guilt is prominent in the person’s current emotional experience, including whether it is described as situational or more enduring. Interpretation should be integrated with clinical interview findings and relevant contextual information.

Author: Munz, D., Otterbacher, J.

Literature: Tangney, J. P., & Dearing, R. L. Shame and guilt. Guilford Press. 2002.; Otterbacher, J. R., & Munz, D. C. State-trait measure of experiential guilt. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. 1973.

Updated: 2025-10-02