Test: How strong are your psycholinguistic skills?

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Test: How strong are your psycholinguistic skills?

For each statement, choose the option that most accurately reflects how frequently you use or show this language habit in your daily life.

Question 1 of 20

I use assertive phrases such as 'I know', 'I believe', or 'I recommend'.
I describe challenges using limiting terms like 'stuck' or 'impossible'.
I choose active verbs that emphasise agency (e.g., 'I decide', 'I create', 'I choose').
I describe myself with negative labels ('clumsy', 'useless', etc.).
I reframe difficulties with constructive words like 'options' and 'possibilities'.
I use disempowering phrases like 'I can't', 'I have no choice', or 'It's not up to me'.
I choose words that highlight my strengths and progress.
I use language that replays past mistakes (e.g., 'I should have', 'I failed at').
I prefer active constructions that place me as the subject (e.g., 'I handled it', 'I responded').
I hedge my speech with words like 'maybe' or 'I guess'.
I use forward-moving words like 'next', 'build', or 'improve'.
I weaken my statements with fillers like 'just', 'kind of', or 'sort of'.
My language dwells on problems without suggesting action.
I frame experiences with future-focused verbs like 'I will' and 'I'm going to'.
I use harsh words towards myself when I speak or think.
I use future-oriented language that highlights growth and potential.
I describe myself with past-oriented labels (e.g., 'I've always been bad at...').
I frame events with passive structures (e.g., 'It was done to me').
I choose precise words that show clarity and confidence.
I use affirming language when I talk about myself.

How scoring works

For positive items (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20): higher = stronger ability.

For negative items (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19): reverse the score when adding (1→5, 2→4, 3→3, 4→2, 5→1).

How to improve your psycholinguistic skills

I've created the Language & Thought Mindfulness Journal with that goal in mind. It's a tool grounded in psycholinguistic research that helps you strengthen the positive patterns you already experience, while gently shifting the ones that are holding you back.

Track your daily language patterns and thought habits
Reframe limiting phrases into empowering ones
Build consistent habits for growth and resilience

Tell me more

Language & Thought Mindfulness Journal preview

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