Test Result
Low Scores
“You navigate the world with a shield up, prioritizing safety and self-reliance over vulnerability.”
Your overall pattern: The Self-Protector
Your results suggest that you view the world through a lens of vigilance. In the standard psychological classification of Propensity to Trust, your score falls into the Low / Skeptical range. This doesn't mean you are "negative"; it means you are protective. You likely operate like a castle with the drawbridge raised—you only lower it after someone has undergone rigorous inspection.
You tend to believe that human nature is inherently self-serving, and you may feel that if you don't look out for yourself, no one else will. This skepticism is often a learned survival strategy, perhaps developed because you are highly observant of inconsistencies in others' behavior.
"Skepticism is the armor of the intelligent, but wearing armor 24/7 is exhausting. It keeps the arrows out, but it also keeps the sunlight out."
Typical behaviors
- High Verification: You rarely take people at their word; you double-check facts, receipts, and promises.
- Emotional Fortress: You are slow to share personal struggles, fearing that this information could be used as "ammunition" against you later.
- Scanning for Threat: In social situations, you are often the first to notice if someone is being fake or manipulative.
Strengths in this pattern
- Independence: Because you rely less on others, you are often highly self-sufficient and capable of solving problems alone.
- Critical Thinking: You are not easily scammed or swayed by smooth talkers. Your "radar" for deception is sharper than most.
Common pitfalls
The cost of eternal vigilance
- Relationship Friction: Partners or friends may feel like they are constantly on trial, waiting for you to "catch" them in a mistake.
- Mental Fatigue: Maintaining a state of high alert burns a tremendous amount of cognitive energy, often leading to anxiety or burnout.
"Reflection point: Ask yourself, 'Is this person actually untrustworthy, or am I just terrified of being surprised?'"
What you can do next
Small actions you can start today
- The Coffee Test: Try trusting someone with a very small, low-stakes task (like picking up a coffee for you) and observe the outcome without interfering.
- Assume Competence: When someone makes a mistake, try to attribute it to clumsiness or forgetfulness rather than malice just once this week.
Longer-term directions
- Calculated Vulnerability: Practice sharing one minor worry with a friend. Notice that the world does not end when you show a crack in the armor.
- Cognitive Reframing: Work on challenging the thought that "everyone is out for themselves." Look for evidence of altruism in your daily life to balance your view.
Disclaimer and when to seek help
This test provides an educational snapshot of your trust habits, not a clinical diagnosis. If your lack of trust is causing severe isolation, paranoia, or preventing you from forming any close relationships, consider speaking with a therapist. A professional can help distinguish between healthy caution and trauma-based hypervigilance.