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.

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Questions: 21 minute

08:30

October 2, 2025

October 2, 2025
Material has been updated

October 2, 2025
Material has been published

22,724 views

1,827 completions

1,590 likes

Verified by Daniel Hall

Psychologist with 25 years of experience

Scale Explorer

How the Scales are Structured

example score

10/20

Perceived Guilt Index (PGI)

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

Lower guilt intensity

Average guilt intensity

Higher guilt intensity

0 – 9: Lower guilt intensity | 10: Average guilt intensity | 11 – 20: Higher guilt intensity

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

example score

9/11

Trait Guilt (TG)

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

Low

Moderate

High

1 – 4: Low | 5 – 8: Moderate | 9 – 11: High

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.

example score

5/11

State Guilt (SG)

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

Low state guilt

Moderate state guilt

High state guilt

1 – 3: Low state guilt | 4 – 7: Moderate state guilt | 8 – 11: High 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.

Perceived Guilt Index (PGI)

Average

9.8

Normal range

6.4 — 13.2

min.

max.

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Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

Guilt as a Trait (GaaT)

Average

7.9

Normal range

6.1 — 9.7

min.

max.

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.

Guilt as a State (GaaS)

Average

3.9

Normal range

2.1 — 5.6

min.

max.

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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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.

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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.