The Trust Test
Martha Beck's trust test
Illustration: Julien Pacaud
You've got a no-fail means of recognizing the really dependable people out there—a nifty inner gizmo Martha Beck calls a trust-o-meter.

If your inner software is working well, your trust-o-meter is guiding you safely through life's many hazards. If it isn't, you smash into one disappointment or betrayal after another. The good news is that no matter how faulty your trust-o-meter, it's never too late to debug the system. Here's one short quiz to help you determine if your trust-o-meter needs recalibrating.

Choose how much you agree with the following statements.

 
 Strongly Disagree 
 Disagree 
 No Opinion 
 Agree 
 Strongly Agree 

 I'm at ease when I'm alone.

 When people are angry at me, I usually understand why.

 I never worry that my friends and family will hurt or abandon me.

 I eat only when I'm hungry and stop as soon as I'm full.

 My first impressions are almost always accurate.

 I don't need alcohol or drugs to relax.

 I stay within my spending budget.

 I never worry that people might find out too much about me.

 I show up on time for appointments, even informal ones.

 I have many rewarding, happy relationships.

 I'm careful to save part of my income.

 Life makes more and more sense to me as I age.

 I keep my promises, and my friends and family keep their promises to me.

 Most people behave pretty much as I expect them to.

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