Tolerance for Uncertainty Scale: How Do You Handle the Unknown?

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to dance through life’s surprises, while others grip tightly to their planners, feeling anxious at the slightest deviation? The difference often comes down to a fundamental personality trait: our tolerance for uncertainty. It’s not about being right or wrong; it’s about how we emotionally and mentally respond when life gets messy, when the path forward is foggy, and the outcomes are unknown.

When Life Isn’t Black and White

Psychologist Stanley Budner was one of the first to deeply explore this concept, suggesting that our ability to handle ambiguous situations is a core part of who we are. Think about it: a vague job description, a relationship without clear labels, or a project with an undefined goal. These are the gray areas of life. For some, they are a source of deep discomfort and stress. For others, they represent freedom and possibility. Your reaction in these moments says a lot about your inner wiring and affects everything from the career you choose to how you cope with change. People who prefer clarity often excel in structured environments, while those who embrace the unknown might be drawn to innovation and risk-taking.

Discover Your Approach: A Quick Self-Reflection

Here is a short exercise to help you reflect on your own tendencies. Read the following 13 statements and rate your agreement on a scale from 1 to 7. Be honest with yourself—there are no right or wrong answers.

Scale: 1 = strongly disagree, 2 = moderately disagree, 3 = slightly disagree, 4 = neutral, 5 = slightly agree, 6 = moderately agree, 7 = strongly agree.

(Note: Some items are marked with an (R). We'll address this in the scoring section.)

1. A good job is one where what is to be done is clearly specified. (R)
2. I get pretty anxious when I’m in a social situation that I can’t understand. (R)
3. There is never enough time to get everything done. (R)
4. In order to succeed, you have to be willing to take risks.
5. I like to have things clearly defined when starting a new task. (R)
6. Fate determines much of what happens in life.
7. Living by a strict schedule is boring and restrictive.
8. I feel irritated when I have to wait for something without knowing how long it will take. (R)
9. Ambiguous situations make me uncomfortable. (R)
10. Success comes from hard work and clear planning. (R)
11. I enjoy exploring new ideas even if they don’t have immediate practical value.
12. It’s frustrating when people don’t give straight answers. (R)
13. Uncertainty in life keeps things exciting.

How to Calculate Your Score

Now, let's find your score.

• Step 1: For all the questions marked with an (R) (1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 9, 10, and 12), you need to reverse your score. Here’s how:
  • If you scored a 1, change it to a 7.
  • If you scored a 2, change it to a 6.
  • If you scored a 3, change it to a 5.
  • A 4 remains a 4.
  • If you scored a 5, change it to a 3.
  • If you scored a 6, change it to a 2.
  • If you scored a 7, change it to a 1.
• Step 2: Add up all 13 of your scores (your new reversed scores and your original scores for the non-R questions). Your total will be between 13 and 91.

What Your Score Suggests

This score is a snapshot, not a judgment. It simply offers a window into your natural comfort level with ambiguity.

• Low Tolerance (13–39): You likely prefer structure, clarity, and predictability. You feel most comfortable when you know what to expect and may find ambiguous situations stressful. This desire for order can make you an excellent planner and highly reliable.
• Moderate Tolerance (40–65): This is where most people land. You can handle a degree of uncertainty but also appreciate having a plan. You are adaptable enough to navigate unforeseen changes but might seek to create structure when things feel too chaotic.
• High Tolerance (66–91): You are comfortable with, and may even be energized by, vagueness and unpredictability. You see ambiguity as an opportunity for creativity and exploration. You are likely flexible, open to new experiences, and unafraid of taking risks.

From Awareness to Growth

Understanding your tolerance for uncertainty isn't about trying to fundamentally change yourself. It’s about awareness. Recognizing that a strong need for certainty drives your anxiety can be empowering. It might explain why you over-plan for vacations or why you feel stuck when facing a career change. If you find that a low tolerance for the unknown is holding you back, you can practice building your flexibility in small, low-stakes ways. Try a new restaurant without reading reviews, take a different route home from work, or start a hobby where there's no clear "right" way to do it. The goal isn’t to eliminate the desire for clarity but to gently expand your capacity to sit with the unknown. After all, life’s most exciting and meaningful moments often arise from the very uncertainty we try so hard to avoid.

References

• Budner, S. (1962). Intolerance of ambiguity as a personality variable. Journal of Personality, 30(1), 29–50.

  This is the foundational academic paper where Stanley Budner first defined the concept of "intolerance of ambiguity" and developed the scale to measure it. The article outlines the theory that individuals differ in their capacity to handle situations that are novel, complex, or lack clear solutions. It provides the original framework and questions that have been adapted for the self-reflection in this article. (The theoretical basis is detailed on pages 29-32).

• Furnham, A., & Ribchester, T. (1995). Tolerance of ambiguity: A review of the concept, its measurement and applications. Current Psychology, 14(3), 179–199.

  This review paper offers a broad overview of the research on tolerance for ambiguity since Budner's original work. It discusses how this personality trait relates to various aspects of life, including problem-solving styles, creativity, and leadership. The authors confirm that people with higher tolerance for ambiguity often demonstrate greater adaptability and effectiveness in complex and changing environments, supporting the idea that this trait is crucial for navigating modern life.