Activity+2.1

Measuring Social Avoidance and Distress** Watson and Friend (1969) developed the Social Avoidance and Distress Scale to measure people’s aversion to social interaction. This scale attempts to determine the level of anxiety people feel in social situations and the extent to which they avoid these situations. Watson and Friend found that individuals with high scores on the SAD Scale preferred not to participate in a group discussion and were more anxious about doing so than low scorers. They also found that SAD Scale scores had a strong negative correlation with the drive toward affiliation. Thus it appears that the SAD Scale is a valid measure of social anxiety and avoidance. The types of feelings measured by the SAD Scale are possibly the feelings that lead to social phobias. Social phobias involve "an excessive fear of engaging in behaviors that involve public scrutiny" (Rathus & Nevid, 1991, p. 607). Some degree of evaluation anxiety is normal, but social phobics take normal anxiety to extremes. Social phobias may take such unusual forms as being unable to order a meal in a restaurant, avoiding meeting new people or dating, or being unable to sign one’s name in public (Rathus & Nevid, 1991). However, it should be stressed that a high score on the SAD Scale does not automatically indicate a social phobia. Stage fright and anxiety about speaking in front of people are common causes of social anxiety (Rathus & Nevid, 1991). Respond to the questions below with either True or False. Then proceed to the scoring criteria at the end of the questionnaire to see whether or not you experience some sort of social anxiety. Trust me, even the most seemingly gregarious people experience social anxiety some times. After you have completed the scoring respond to the question which follow on a separate piece of paper.
 * Activity 2.1

The statements below inquire about your personal reactions to a variety of situations. Consider each statement carefully. Then indicate whether the statement is true or false with regard to your typical behavior. 1. I feel relaxed even in unfamiliar social situations. 2. I try to avoid situations which force me to be sociable. 3. It is easy for me to relax when I am with strangers. 4. I have no particular desire to avoid people. 5. I often find social occasions upsetting. 6. I usually feel calm and comfortable at social occasions. 7. I am usually at ease when talking to someone of the opposite sex. 8. I try to avoid talking to people unless I know them well. 9. If the chance comes to meet new people, I often take it. 10. I often feel nervous or tense in casual get-togethers in which both sexes are present. 11. I am usually nervous with people unless I know them well. 12. I usually feel relaxed when I am with a group of people. 13. I often want to get away from people. 14. I usually feel uncomfortable when I am in a group of people I don’t know. 15. I usually feel relaxed when I meet someone for the first time. 16. Being introduced to people makes me tense and nervous. 17. Even though a room is full of strangers, I may enter it anyway. 18. I would avoid walking up and joining a large group of people. 19. When my superiors want to talk with me, I talk willingly. 20. I often feel on edge when I am with a group of people. 21. I tend to withdraw from people. 22. I don’t mind talking to people at parties or social gatherings. 23. I am seldom at ease in a large group of people. 24. I often think up excuses in order to avoid social engagements. 25. I sometimes take the responsibility for introducing people to each other. 26. I try to avoid formal social occasions. 27. I usually go to whatever social engagements I have. 28. I find it easy to relax with other people. Count one point for each answer that matches those below: 2 3 4// || F T F F || //5 6 7 8// || T F F T || //9 10 11 12// || F T T F || //13 14 15 16// || T T F T || //17 18 19 20// || F T F T || //21 22 23 24// || T F T T || //25 26 27 28// || F T F F ||
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The norms reported by Watson and Friend (1969) can be used to interpret students’ scores: //Low Intermediate High// Males: below 4 4-19 20+ Females: 0 1-16 17+ The higher the score, the greater the degree of social discomfort. Rathus, S.A., & Nevid, J.S. (1991). //Abnormal psychology//. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall. Watson, D., & Friend, R. (1969). Measurement of social-evaluative anxiety. //Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology//, 33, 448-457. **Questions**
 * References**
 * 1) In your honest opinion, was this assessment accurate? Why, or why not?
 * 2) Do you feel that we can place too much importance on self-diagnosis questionnaires of this sort? Explain why?
 * 3) If a person's score were high on this questionnaire would you say that that person should seek professional assistance, or do you feel that once armed with this information, a person can find a way on their own to deal with their psychological issues? Explain.