Life Positions Test (LPS)

The concept of life positions originated in transactional analysis, a psychological framework developed by Eric Berne and expanded by Thomas Harris in the mid-twentieth century. Life positions represent fundamental, enduring beliefs that individuals hold about their own worth and the worth of other people. In 2002, psychologist Fredrick A. Boholst developed the Life Position Scale (LPS) to create a concise, reliable, and empirically validated questionnaire for measuring these core psychological orientations. Rather than relying on purely clinical impression, the LPS provides a standardized way to evaluate how strongly a person endorses self-regard and regard for others.

The LPS evaluates two primary dimensions that together define an individual's overall life position. The first dimension, I'm OK, reflects self-acceptance, self-esteem, and self-worth. People who score high on this scale generally feel comfortable with who they are, take pride in their achievements, and maintain a positive self-concept even in the face of setbacks. The second dimension, You're OK, reflects interpersonal faith, trust, and appreciation for other people. High scorers on this scale readily see the value in others, find it easy to appreciate those around them, and maintain a basic benevolence toward humanity, whereas lower scorers may experience cynicism, hostility, or social alienation.

In transactional analysis theory, these two dimensions intersect to form four classic orientations: I'm OK, You're OK (a healthy, constructive stance); I'm OK, You're Not OK (a defensive or superior stance); I'm Not OK, You're OK (a self-critical stance); and I'm Not OK, You're Not OK (a hopeless or withdrawn stance). Psychological research using the LPS demonstrates that individuals who hold a strong positive stance toward both self and others tend to experience higher life satisfaction, healthier interpersonal relationships, and lower levels of psychological distress. Conversely, negative orientations toward self or others are frequently linked to relationship difficulties, loneliness, low self-esteem, and mood disturbance.

Understanding your position on both dimensions offers valuable insight into your everyday relational patterns and self-perception. Because life positions are formed early in development through interpersonal experiences, they often operate as automatic baseline assumptions about social interactions. However, psychological research emphasizes that life positions are not permanent personality traits; rather, they are dynamic orientations that can evolve as individuals cultivate greater self-awareness, process past experiences, and develop healthier relational habits.

Alongside your results, the chart displays population comparison markers to help contextualize your scores. The population comparison markers shown on the chart are estimated values rescaled from published research samples using the original scale, not validated percentile norms or exact rankings for this specific assessment. Treat these markers as a general reference point rather than a definitive statement about where you stand relative to others.

Finally, this test is provided for educational and self-reflection purposes only. It is not a diagnostic instrument and cannot provide a formal psychological evaluation. This assessment is based on the LPS, but it uses its own items and scoring procedures and is not affiliated with Fredrick A. Boholst or any academic institution. If you are experiencing emotional distress or interpersonal challenges, consider consulting a qualified mental health professional for personalized guidance and support.

References

• Boholst, F. A. (2002). A Life Position Scale. Transactional Analysis Journal, 32(1), 28-32.

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