Your outlook on life

The result texts are shown in English, as they have not been translated into Suomi yet.

What the score means

The ten answers are combined into one score from 0 to 100. Higher scores mean a more positive outlook. A score of 70 does not mean you are more optimistic than 70% of people, or that good outcomes have a 70% chance. The labels describe sections of the scale, not population norms or clinical cutoffs.

Questions to reflect on

• Think of something you expect to go badly. Which facts support that expectation, and which suggest a different outcome?
• What is one small step you can take toward an outcome you want? What part of it is within your control?
• Think of a recent setback. Was it limited to one situation, or are you treating it as a sign that everything will go wrong?
• If you expect things to go well, what could still get in the way? Keep a practical backup plan alongside your hopes.

What this test can tell you

• This is the ten-item IPIP optimism scale, an alternative to the Life Orientation Test–Revised (LOT-R). Its items and scoring differ from the LOT-R; their scores cannot be compared directly.
• Several statements concern low mood and self-esteem. These overlap with optimism here, so this is not a measure of future expectations alone.
• A low score does not diagnose depression, and a high score does not guarantee good decisions. Current circumstances can influence your answers.

Sources

• IPIP items and scoring key
• IPIP public-domain permission