A negativity attitude assessment measures a candidate's tendency to perceive conditions, situations, and their own abilities as worse than they actually are. In our Behavioral Assessments, this is scored through the Negativity trait, one of five dimensions within the Integrity & Attitude section. It does not measure realistic concern. Instead, it measures a persistent outlook pattern that affects how the candidate relates to the team and the work environment.

Not in isolation. The Negativity trait is measured across only six questions, making it the smallest individual trait in the Integrity & Attitude section. As a result, a high reading by itself carries less weight than an elevated Critical or Blame score. However, when Negativity is extremely high, or when it is elevated alongside other traits, it becomes a meaningful signal. The I&A Average is always the primary indicator.

No. The assessment distinguishes between a healthy understanding of reality and a persistent tendency to interpret conditions as worse than they are. Someone with genuine concerns who communicates them constructively scores differently than someone with a glass-half-empty pattern across many situations. The Negativity trait specifically measures the latter: a consistent outlook that does not shift even when conditions are objectively positive.

Candidates naturally try to present themselves positively. However, the Negativity trait is measured across multiple questions throughout the assessment, making it far harder to maintain a consistently positive but inaccurate pattern than in a single interview. Furthermore, the Reliability Indicators in the report are specifically designed to flag when responses appear inconsistent or overly favorable.

First, check the I&A Average. If the average is within a positive range and no other traits are elevated, a high Negativity score alone is worth noting but is unlikely to be the primary concern. However, if Negativity is extremely high, or if Critical or Blame are also elevated, treat it as a meaningful signal. Contact previous supervisors directly for feedback on the candidate's general attitude and outlook on the team.

Negativity is most significant when combined with other elevated traits. For example, Negativity combined with Critical predicts a candidate who finds fault with others and holds a generally pessimistic view of conditions. Similarly, Negativity combined with Blame predicts a pattern where the candidate sees conditions as bad and holds others responsible. In contrast, Negativity elevated alone with all other traits within range warrants a note but is less likely to produce severe workplace behavior.