The Self-Assessment Library

Personality Insights

HOW WELL DO I HANDLE AMBIGUITY?

Respond to each of the following statements by indicating the extent to which you agree or disagree with them.

An expert who doesn't come up with a definite answer probably doesn't know too much.
I would like to live in a foreign country for a while.
The sooner we all acquire similar values and ideals, the better.
A good teacher is one who makes you wonder about your way of looking at things.
I like parties where I know most of the people more than ones where all or most of the people are complete strangers.
Teachers or supervisors who hand out vague assignments give a chance for one to show initiative and originality.
A person who leads an even, regular life in which few surprises or unexpected happenings arise really has a lot to be grateful for.
Many of our most important decisions are based on insufficient information.
There is really no such thing as a problem that can't be solved.
People who fit their lives to a schedule probably miss most of the joy of living.
A good job is one in which what is to be done and how it is to be done are always clear.
It is more fun to tackle a complicated problem than to solve a simple one.
In the long run, it is possible to get more done by tackling small, simple problems than large and complicated ones.
Often the most interesting and stimulating people are those who don't mind being different and original.
What we are used to is always preferable to what is unfamiliar.
People who insist upon a yes or no answer just don't know how complicated things really are.

Source: PC. Nutt, "The Tolerance for Ambiguity and Decision Making." Working Paper Series, WP88-291; Columbus, Ohio: Ohio State University College of Business. Adapted from S. Budner, "Intolerance of Ambiguity as a Personality Variable," Journal of Personality, March 1962, pp. 29-50.