Let’s take a look at the Dysfunctional Attitude Scale (DAS). The Dysfunctional Attitude Scale is a test that determines whether your thoughts in life are helpful or having a negative impact. Originally, it was a psychological tool created by Arlene Weissman and Aaron Beck to investigate the beliefs of patients with depression, and it is currently used with various psychiatric subjects. Try the DAS test to check your thoughts!
1. What is the Dysfunctional Attitude Scale?
The Dysfunctional Attitude Scale (DAS) is a tool that can measure an individual’s dysfunctional beliefs and attitudes, making it a good test to understand what kind of thoughts a person holds.
This scale was introduced in the 1980s by American psychologists Arlene Weissman and Aaron Beck to assess the beliefs and attitudes of patients with depression.
This test allows you to see what kind of thoughts you emphasize more and make efforts to change your attitude.
2. Assessment areas of the Dysfunctional Attitude Scale
The Dysfunctional Attitude Scale allows you to check attitudes about needs for approval and recognition, self-esteem, perfectionism, and coping behaviors.
1) Approval and Recognition
The approval and recognition area determines one’s value based on whether or not one is recognized by others, emphasizing the perspectives and thoughts of others.
Humans have found it difficult to survive without belonging to a group since prehistoric times, so gaining the approval of others can be important.
However, excessively striving for the recognition of others can be associated with low self-esteem or undervaluing oneself.
2) Self-Esteem
Self-esteem, a contraction of self-respect, refers to the attitude of respecting oneself. People with low self-esteem undervalue their worth.
People who undervalue their worth may consider themselves inferior and tend to conform to others. They may also be shy about revealing their true selves and become withdrawn.
Ultimately, self-esteem is related to one’s belief in oneself, and the lower the self-evaluation, the more negative thoughts and behaviors can appear.
3) Perfectionism
Perfectionism is an attitude of pursuing a state without flaws or failures, which can stem from the belief that one’s worth diminishes if not perfect.
Looking at unconscious beliefs, perfectionism is often related to the thoughts and attitudes of parents or important figures in childhood.
If parents had perfectionism and demanded perfection from their children, those children could inherit their parents’ thoughts and beliefs.
However, living with perfectionism can be excellent in work aspects, but it is likely to have a negative impact on mental health.
4) Coping Behaviors
While this test does not specifically examine coping behaviors, it can look at thoughts and attitudes about avoidance behaviors to escape difficulties.
Humans can exhibit three types of coping behaviors when facing painful situations: submission, avoidance, and counterattack.
However, avoidance is often used in most cases to escape painful situations, which can reinforce beliefs that are not helpful.
If the intensity of beliefs that have a negative impact on oneself is strong, effort should be made to change those thoughts and behaviors.
3. Trying the Dysfunctional Attitude Test
You can assess your Dysfunctional attitudes test through the link below. Once you complete the test, your thoughts are categorized into low, moderate, or high impact.
If your Dysfunctional Attitude Scale score is high, it indicates that your thoughts and beliefs are likely having a negative impact on your emotions and behavior.
In such cases, it is recommended to seek mental training from a mental health professional (doctor, counselor, etc.).
https://psytests.org/cbt/bdasAen.html
4. Author’s Thoughts
I have conducted cognitive behavioral therapy and schema therapy counseling for subjects with depression, social anxiety, etc. I always assess depression and anxiety tests and the Dysfunctional Attitude Scale for these subjects.
So far, subjects with severe depression and anxiety have never had a positive Dysfunctional Attitude Scale score.
The reason for this situation is according to Aaron Beck’s cognitive model, where an individual’s thoughts and beliefs impact their behavior and emotions.
So, if you find yourself unknowingly depressed and anxious, it is crucial to recognize your unconscious beliefs and thoughts and make efforts to change them.
There are various training methods to change your thoughts, and I personally recommend starting with cognitive behavioral therapy, schema therapy, or mindfulness meditation techniques. If you are curious about the content, there are many articles on this website for reference.
5. Conclusion and Q&A
We have explored what the Dysfunctional Attitude Scale (DAS) is and its content. You can check your own thoughts directly through the test link provided. Let’s address some frequently asked questions and understand the key points.
1) What is the Dysfunctional Attitude Scale?
Dysfunctional attitude refers to non-functional attitudes, i.e., attitudes and beliefs that are not helpful to oneself. This test allows you to assess how much of your thoughts are not helpful.
2) What should I do if my Dysfunctional Attitude Scale score is high?
A high score means that your various beliefs and thoughts are having a negative impact
on you. If you feel that your life is painful due to your thoughts, it is necessary to consult a professional.
I recommend visiting an institution that provides professional cognitive behavioral therapy, schema therapy, or mindfulness meditation training rather than prescribing medication in a psychiatric hospital.
If you are curious about how much self-esteem you have or mindfulness training to manage difficult thoughts and emotions, please refer to the article link below!
► Source Information and References
Overcoming Resistance in Cognitive Therapy – Robert L. Leahy / Hakjisa Publisher
Aaron Beck Official Website (https://beckinstitute.org/about/dr-aaron-t-beck)
– Be the Titan Brain
