⚠ Educational Use Only — The CAT-PD: Exhibitionism is a self-reflection worksheet for academic and research purposes only. It does not provide a formal assessment result, professional evaluation, or any form of recommendation. If you have concerns, please consult a qualified professional.
6 Research Items
1–5 Likert Scale
≥3 Baseline Avg
~2m Est. Time

Exhibitionism: Academic Baseline Profiler

The Exhibitionism subscale of the CAT-PD-SF personality battery provides a 6-item academic instrument measuring trait-level attention-seeking, self-display orientation, and the use of appearance and charm as interpersonal tools. Developed by Simms and colleagues (2011)....

For each statement, select the response that best describes your typical patterns of thinking, feeling, and behavior. There are no right or wrong answers — accurate, honest responses produce the most academically useful baseline data.

1 of 6 CAT-PD: Exhibitionism

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Academic Profile
Average item score (1–5 scale) · CAT-PD: Exhibitionism

Profile Interpretation

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Academic Citation

Simms, L. J., Goldberg, L. R., Roberts, J. E., Watson, D., Welte, J., & Rotterman, J. H. (2011). Computerized adaptive assessment of personality disorder: Introducing the CAT–PD project. Journal of Personality Assessment, 93(4), 380–389. doi.org/10.1080/00223891.2011.577475

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The Academic Science Behind the CAT-PD: Exhibitionism

The Exhibitionism subscale of the CAT-PD-SF personality battery provides a 6-item academic instrument measuring trait-level attention-seeking, self-display orientation, and the use of appearance and charm as interpersonal tools. Developed by Simms and colleagues (2011).

Research Framework and Construct Validity

Exhibitionism in the CAT-PD framework captures the stable drive to attract social attention and stand out. It overlaps with narcissistic and histrionic trait dimensions in the broader academic personality literature, particularly regarding impression management and social dominance.

Comparison: CAT-PD: Exhibitionism vs. NPI (Narcissistic Personality Inventory)
Feature CAT-PD-EXH NPI (Narcissistic Personality Inventory)
Core Construct Exhibitionism trait profiling Closely related construct
Number of Items 6 items Varies by version
Primary Use Case Academic personality baseline Research and structured evaluation
Scoring Method 1–5 Likert average Scale-specific method
Framework CAT-PD personality research battery Independent academic instrument

Understanding Your Score Range

The scale yields an average from 1 to 5 with one reverse-keyed item. Scores above 3.0 reflect above-average exhibitionism patterns. Community reliability α = .82; patient α = .83.

Academic Utility and Research Applications

Researchers use Exhibitionism alongside Grandiosity and Domineering in academic studies of narcissistic trait clusters and their relationship to social functioning, leadership, and interpersonal influence in educational contexts.

Educational Results Interpretation

Higher scores reflect stronger attention-seeking and self-display orientation as stable personality research baseline characteristics. This engine is provided for academic self-reflection and research purposes only. Results constitute educational data points and not evaluative conclusions. Participants are always encouraged to consult a qualified professional for comprehensive structural review.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the CAT-PD Exhibitionism scale measure?

The Exhibitionism scale maps the trait-level drive to attract social attention, stand out in groups, and use appearance or charm as interpersonal tools. It is not a measure of confidence or social skill per se — it specifically captures the motivational pull toward being noticed as a stable personality pattern.

How is the Exhibitionism score calculated?

Six items are rated 1–5. One item ('Don't enjoy being in the spotlight') is reverse-keyed and scored inversely. The item average is your score. A higher average reflects a stronger attention-seeking and self-display orientation in your personality research baseline.

Is exhibitionism always problematic in personality research?

Not at all. Academic research treats all trait scores dimensionally — there is no inherently 'bad' score range, only patterns with different strengths and challenges. Moderate exhibitionism is associated with charisma, social confidence, and natural leadership presence. It is only at the extreme end, where attention-seeking becomes compulsive or a primary source of self-worth, that research identifies consistent interpersonal difficulties.

How does Exhibitionism relate to Grandiosity in the CAT-PD?

Exhibitionism captures the behavioural dimension — seeking the spotlight and using self-display. Grandiosity captures the cognitive dimension — believing you are superior and entitled. Both belong to the same antagonistic trait cluster in the CAT-PD battery, and academic research frequently examines them together in studies of narcissistic personality patterns.

Does this profile replace a formal professional evaluation?

No. This worksheet provides an educational research baseline. It does not produce formal conclusions or personalised recommendations. If you want to explore what this pattern means in the context of your relationships or wellbeing, a qualified professional can offer invaluable perspective.