Approval-Seeking Test - Do You Crave Approval?

Trait

20questions

2minutes

Have you ever felt, 'I wish I were praised more' or 'I want someone to acknowledge me'? Approval-seeking is a natural human emotion, but when it becomes too strong, it can cause stress in relationships or make you lose your sense of self. This test reveals the strength and characteristics of your approval-seeking tendencies.

What this test tells you

How much does being liked or recognized shape your everyday choices? Answer 20 questions to reflect on your tendency to seek approval from others.

Answer 20 questions

Reflect on how you respond to feedback and relate to other people.

See your score

Receive a percentage and one of five result labels based on your answers.

Explore your result

Read about the tendency your result describes and ways to think about others’ opinions.

The test takes about 2 minutes. Choose answers that reflect your usual behavior rather than your ideal self.

What is approval-seeking?

Approval-seeking is the desire to be recognized or viewed positively by other people. It can show up in wanting your work to be appreciated or hoping friends will accept your ideas.

Recognition can give you a reason to keep trying. At other times, concern about a reaction can push your own preferences into the background. Rather than asking only whether you want approval, consider how much it influences your choices and feelings.

Seeking praise and avoiding rejection

Caring about others’ opinions does not always mean wanting attention. Psychological research distinguishes between wanting to gain positive feedback and wanting to avoid negative feedback.

Praise seeking

Wanting your strengths to be noticed

Sharing an achievement or showing a skill in the hope of receiving a positive response.

Rejection avoidance

Wanting to avoid disapproval

Holding back an opinion because you are concerned about criticism or a negative reaction.

These are not opposite personality types; both motives can be present in one person. This test does not score them separately.

What can it look like?

The wish to be recognized can show up in different situations. These examples offer starting points for reflection.

Watching for reactions

Replaying a conversation and wondering whether you made the wrong impression.

Wanting recognition

Wanting to share your efforts and feeling disappointed when they receive no response.

Meeting expectations

Putting what someone else would like ahead of what you would choose for yourself.

Comparing responses

Looking at social media reactions or other people’s achievements and wondering how you measure up.

A single behavior does not establish the strength or cause of approval-seeking. Consider the feelings and circumstances behind it, too.

Five possible results

Your answers produce an approval-seeking score with one of the following labels and an explanation. These levels describe tendencies, not your worth as a person.

Do Not Crave Approval

You tend to place little importance on receiving approval and rely on your own judgment. Other people’s feedback may still offer useful perspectives.

Slightly Seek Approval

You tend not to seek approval strongly, although particular people or situations may make their opinions feel more important.

Neutral Toward Approval

Recognition can encourage you to keep trying. Your result invites you to reflect on both motivation and the pressure you put on yourself.

Moderately Seek Approval

Other people’s evaluations tend to matter a great deal to you. Consider how meeting expectations relates to the pressure you feel.

Strongly Crave Approval

Being recognized tends to be especially important to you. Reflect on how the desire for approval affects your satisfaction and the demands you place on yourself.