COSS-Compass Of Shame Scale

Below is a list of statements describing situations you may experience from time to time. Following each situation are four statements describing possible reactions to the situation. Read each statement carefully and select the number to the left of the item that indicates the frequency with which you find yourself reacting in that way. Use this guide, select the circle with the number on the right that best describes you. Please respond to all four items for each situation.

Select: if you: NEVER	Select: if you: OFTEN
Select: if you: SELDOM	Select: if you: ALMOST ALWAYS
Select: if you: SOMETIMES

A. When an activity makes me feel like my strength or skill is inferior:
I act as if it isn't so. (AV)
I get mad at myself for not being good enough. (AS)
I withdraw from the activity. (WD)
I get irritated with other people. (AO)

B. In competitive situations where I compare myself with others:
I criticize myself. (AS)
I try not to be noticed. (WD)
I feel ill will toward the others. (AO)
I exaggerate my accomplishments. (AV)

C. In situations where I feel insecure or doubt myself:
I shrink away from others. (WD)
I feel others are to blame for making me feel that way. (AO)
I act more confident than I am. (AV)
I feel irritated with myself. (AS)

D. At times when I am unhappy with how I look:
I take it out on other people. (AO)
I pretend I don't care. (AV)
I feel annoyed at myself. (AS)
I keep away from other people. (WD)

E. When I make an embarrassing mistake in public:
I hide my embarrassment with a joke. (AV)
I feel like kicking myself. (AS)
I wish I could become invisible. (WD)
I feel annoyed at people for noticing. (AO)

F. When I feel lonely or left out:
I blame myself. (AS)
I pull away from others. (WD)
I blame other people. (AO)
I don't let it show. (AV)

G. When I feel others think poorly of me:
I want to escape their view. (WD)
I want to point out their faults. (AO)
I deny there is any reason for me to feel bad. (AV)
I dwell on my shortcomings. (AS)

H. When I think I have disappointed other people:
I get mad at them for expecting so much from me. (AO)
I cover my feelings with a joke. (AV)
I get down on myself. (AS)
I remove myself from the situation. (WD)

I. When I feel rejected by someone:
I soothe myself with distractions. (AV)
I brood over my flaws. (AS)
I avoid them. (WD)
I get angry with them. (AO)

J. When other people point out my faults
I feel like I can't do anything right. (AS)
I want to run away. (WD)
I point out their faults. (AO)
I refuse to acknowledge those faults. (AV)

K. When I feel humiliated:
I isolate myself from other people. (WD)
I get mad at people for making me feel this way. (AO)
I cover up the humiliation by keeping busy. (AV)
I get angry with myself. (AS)

L. When I feel guilty:
I push the feeling back on those who make me feel this way. (AO)
I disown the feeling. (AV)
I put myself down. (AS)
I want to disappear. (WD)