⚠ Educational Use Only — The CAT-PD: Submissiveness 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

Submissiveness: Academic Baseline Profiler

The Submissiveness subscale of the CAT-PD-SF battery is a 6-item academic instrument measuring the trait-level tendency toward interpersonal passivity, deference to others, and reliance on external direction for major life decisions. 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: Submissiveness

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

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: Submissiveness

The Submissiveness subscale of the CAT-PD-SF battery is a 6-item academic instrument measuring the trait-level tendency toward interpersonal passivity, deference to others, and reliance on external direction for major life decisions. Developed by Simms and colleagues (2011).

Research Framework and Construct Validity

Submissiveness in the CAT-PD framework captures the low-dominance pole of interpersonal functioning—the stable disposition to yield to others, accept control, and delegate agency. Academic research examines this alongside dependent and avoidant personality patterns.

Comparison: CAT-PD: Submissiveness vs. Interpersonal Adjective Scales (IAS)
Feature CAT-PD-SUB Interpersonal Adjective Scales (IAS)
Core Construct Submissiveness 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

No reverse-keyed items. Item average constitutes the score. Values above 3.0 reflect above-average submissiveness patterns. Community α = .81; patient α = .85.

Academic Utility and Research Applications

Researchers use Submissiveness alongside Domineering, Relationship Insecurity, and Emotional Detachment in academic personality research on interpersonal dependency, autonomy, and power dynamics.

Educational Results Interpretation

Higher scores reflect greater interpersonal passivity and dependency on others for direction. Lower scores indicate more autonomous and self-directing interpersonal orientation as academic 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 Submissiveness scale measure?

The Submissiveness scale maps the stable trait tendency to be easily controlled by others, defer major decisions to others, and allow yourself to be directed rather than directing your own life. It is measuring a personality dimension — the low-autonomy pole of interpersonal functioning — not judging deference or cooperation as inherently problematic.

How is the Submissiveness score calculated?

All six items are rated 1–5 with no reverse-keyed items. The item average is your score. A higher average reflects greater interpersonal passivity and dependency as a personality research baseline indicator.

Is submissiveness the opposite of domineering?

In the CAT-PD interpersonal framework, yes — submissiveness and domineering represent opposite poles of the power and control dimension. Academic research examines how these trait extremes relate to relationship functioning and what researchers call 'interpersonal complementarity' — the way submissive and dominant individuals often find themselves in complementary relationships that can either be healthy or mutually reinforcing in unhealthy ways.

What are the roots of high submissiveness according to research?

Academic research consistently links elevated submissiveness to early relational environments where self-assertion was unsafe, punished, or ineffective — where going along was the adaptive strategy. Understanding this origin is important: submissiveness is not a character weakness, it is a learned survival pattern. And like all learned patterns, it can be gradually updated with the right support.

Does this profile replace a formal professional evaluation?

No. This is an educational self-reflection worksheet. It does not generate personalised guidance or formal conclusions. A qualified professional can help you understand the specific dynamics driving this pattern and support you in building a more autonomous, self-directed way of living.