Author: Harrison G. Gough

The Tolerance (To) Scale measures openness to diverse perspectives, behaviors, and viewpoints. It reflects the ability to navigate and appreciate differences in social and cultural contexts. This scale offers insight into how inclusively an individual interacts with others and adapts to varied environments.

The scale is part of the California Psychological Inventory (CPI), a well-established tool for understanding personality characteristics that contribute to effective behavior in various contexts. This scale is frequently used in leadership development and organizational coaching to identify strengths and developmental opportunities.

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Features of the Tolerance Scale

Purpose: To assess an individual’s openness to differing perspectives and their ability to work effectively with diverse individuals.

Length: Approximately 50 items

Average completion time: 5 minutes

Target population: High school age and older.

Administration: Designed for individual administration.

Validation: Demonstrated validity across diverse populations and contexts.

Uses of the Tolerance Scale

  • Self-Evaluation
  • Leadership development
  • Coaching and personal growth
  • Organizational research

High scores on To do appear to presage tolerance and a willingness to accept others and to accept differences from one’s own views. This disposition seems to stem from cognitive, reflective attitudes rather than from warmth and positive feelings. High scorers on To also seem to be intelligent, interested in cognitive matters, realistic in their expectations, stable, and relatively free of serious conflicts or psychological problems. (p.128)

-- From H.G. Gough & P. Bradley (1996), “CPI Manual Third Edition” (Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press)