Optimism Assessment

This page has the procedures for requesting materials on:

  • The Attributional Style Questionnaire (ASQ: for Adults): Note that this can only be administered in paper format, not online
  • The Children’s Attributional Style Questionnaire (CASQ): Note that this can only be administered in paper format, not online
  • The CAVE Technique (Content Analysis of Verbatim Explanations)

(For a complete list of Dr. Martin E.P. Seligman’s publications on these topics, see his Curriculum Vitae.)

To request permission to use these assessments for not-for-profit, research applications, please follow these procedures:

  1. Mail a letter describing your research and the purpose of your request to:
    Dr. Martin E.P. Seligman
    University of Pennsylvania
    3720 Walnut Street
    Philadelphia, PA 19104
    Attn: ASQ, CASQ, or CAVE Request
  2. Include payment with your letter. This is a nominal fee to cover our costs.
    • Within the U.S.: $ 10.00 for each assessment device
    • Outside the U.S.: $ 20.00 for each assessment device
    • Please send checks in U.S. dollars only, payable to "The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania"
  3. When we receive your letter and payment, we will mail you a packet that includes:
    • The assessment device you requested
    • The scoring key
    • Selected articles on validity and reliability
    • We are unable to send any materials by e-mail.