ATTITUDE AWARENESS QUESTIONNAIRE
PROCEDURE:
Carefully read each question and circle the number that best reflects your current actions, beliefs and experiences.
SCALE 1 = Almost never; 2 = Seldom; 3 = Usually; 4 = Almost always
HOW OFTEN DO YOU AS AN INDIVIDUAL
1. Confront others when they make racial/ethnic/sexually insulting comments? 1 2 3 4
2. Speak up when someone is humiliating, insulting or ridiculing another person? 1 2 3 4
3. Think about how my comments and actions may affect others before I speak or act? 1 2 3 4
4. Refuse to participate in jokes that are insulting to any group, culture, or sex? 1 2 3 4
5. Avoid repeating statements or rumours that reinforce prejudice or bias? 1 2 3 4
6. Find out the truth before repeating or believing rumours or assumptions about anyone? 1 2 3 4
7. Avoid using words that reinforce negative stereotypes? 1 2 3 4
8. Try to meet and understand people from different cultures and groups as individuals? 1 2 3 4
9. Help new people in my organisation, including women and people of various cultures, ages, and sizes, to feel welcome and accepted? 1 2 3 4
10. Learn about and try to understand other cultures and groups and respect what is important to them? 1 2 3 4
11. Encourage people from other groups and cultures to speak up about important personal/collective issues and concerns? 1 2 3 4
12. Tell those from different cultures and groups about the written and unwritten rules of my organisation? 1 2 3 4
13. Follow and support organisational policies regarding equal treatment of all, including confronting those who sabotage those policies? 1 2 3 4
14. Suggest that organisational policies and procedures that lead to the exclusion of anyone be changed? 1 2 3 4
15. Help to create a work environment in which all employees and clients are respected and valued? 1 2 3 4
16. Protest in some way when a book, newspaper, television show, or person shows support for prejudice and/or stereotyping? 1 2 3 4
17. Refuse to join or remain a member of associations or groups that allow or support attitudes or practices that are racist, biased, or prejudiced? 1 2 3 4
18. Participate in volunteer or community activities that are designed to change things in my community or country? 1 2 3 4
19. Make extra efforts to get to know individuals whose backgrounds differ from mine? 1 2 3 4
20. Say, “I think that’s not right or fair”, when I think something indicates prejudice? 1 2 3 4
Total Score
ATTITUDE AWARENESS ANALYSIS
The following category analyses will assist you assess how free of bias, prejudice/stereotypes and discrimination your behaviour is.
1. Unaware (?) You do not even realise that you behave with bias. Often when you offend others, you are not aware that your own behaviour is offensive. You tend to accept stereotypes as facts. No score is indicated for this category, because scores can vary widely for the person who is unaware. For example, you may believe that “almost always” is a truthful response to many of the questions, because you do not know or realise that your behaviour shows prejudice or bias. Regardless of your score, think about types of behaviour that indicates stereotypes and prejudice. Discuss the matter with someone you can trust and ask for feedback on your behaviour. If you are unaware you may be offending others – seek help from others in order to learn about yourself.
2. Maintainer (20 – 39) You are aware of your stereotypes and prejudices and aware that your behaviour sometimes offends others. Nevertheless, you continue with insulting comments and actions and act as though other’s feelings are not important to you. If you score in this category, please take note: you are hurting others and this is affecting your relationships. Look at the questions that you answered with a “1” or “2”. If you truly want to change your behaviour, keep these questions in mind to help you break your old habits. Create some action steps that will help to remind you of the type of behaviour you desire to acquire.
3. Supporter (40 – 59) You are aware of your stereotypes and are working on your own prejudices, but you are reluctant to address inappropriate behaviour by others. You try to play it safe by saying nothing, and this behaviour is often seen as acceptance. If your score indicates this category, look at the questions that you answered with a “1” or “2”. Your action steps should include efforts to improve in those areas. Work on ways to speak up when you are aware of stereotypes.
4. Initiator (60 – 69) You are not only aware of stereotypes in yourself and others, but you also realise the negative impact of acting on those prejudices. You are willing to take action when you encounter inappropriate words or behaviours from others. You try to make a difference when there is clear evidence of discrimination or bias.
5. Radical (70 – 80) You are constantly aware of any behaviour that seems to be biased or prejudiced, and you confront the offenders strongly. You have played an important role in helping to do away with discrimination but you may have paid a price. For example, you may have a reputation of being a radical and people may not listen to what you are saying and even avoid you. If your score indicates you are radical, you may in fact be in a strong position to change things. If your score is near the lower range, then the things that apply to initiators apply to you. You should however, examine your behaviour carefully to determine any areas that indicate that you are oversensitive when no discrimination actually exists. Your action steps should include giving people a fair chance and the benefit of the doubt. Your behaviour may well be causing you to lose friends who could be a real source of comfort and benefit.