Do social situations trigger fear or avoidance for you?

The Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) was developed by Michael Liebowitz in 1987 to measure anxiety and avoidance in specific social situations. The self-report version (LSAS-SR) was validated by Fresco et al. (2001) and is the most widely used in research and screening.

For each situation, it evaluates two things: the level of fear or anxiety it produces, and how often you avoid it. This separation matters — sometimes we have a lot of fear but don't avoid, or we avoid quite a bit even though the fear feels mild.

Note: there are two questions for each situation (fear and avoidance). Answer both. The test has 48 items total (24 situations × 2).

Orientative 6 minutes · Private · we store nothing

Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS-SR)

Developed by Liebowitz (1987) and validated in self-report form by Fresco et al. (2001). Evaluates fear and avoidance across 24 social or performance situations.

Validated by: Fresco et al. (2001); Liebowitz (1987)

1. Speaking in public — FEAR/ANXIETY
2. Speaking in public — AVOIDANCE
3. Talking with people in authority — FEAR/ANXIETY
4. Talking with people in authority — AVOIDANCE
5. Acting, performing or speaking in front of an audience — FEAR/ANXIETY
6. Acting, performing or speaking in front of an audience — AVOIDANCE
7. Calling someone you don't know — FEAR/ANXIETY
8. Calling someone you don't know — AVOIDANCE
9. Being watched while doing something — FEAR/ANXIETY
10. Being watched while doing something — AVOIDANCE
11. Writing while someone is watching — FEAR/ANXIETY
12. Writing while someone is watching — AVOIDANCE
13. Going to a party — FEAR/ANXIETY
14. Going to a party — AVOIDANCE
15. Meeting strangers — FEAR/ANXIETY
16. Meeting strangers — AVOIDANCE
17. Talking with people you don't know well — FEAR/ANXIETY
18. Talking with people you don't know well — AVOIDANCE
19. Disagreeing with someone in authority — FEAR/ANXIETY
20. Disagreeing with someone in authority — AVOIDANCE
21. Looking people you don't know well in the eyes — FEAR/ANXIETY
22. Looking people you don't know well in the eyes — AVOIDANCE
23. Giving a report to a small group — FEAR/ANXIETY
24. Giving a report to a small group — AVOIDANCE
25. Returning goods to a store — FEAR/ANXIETY
26. Returning goods to a store — AVOIDANCE
27. Giving a party — FEAR/ANXIETY
28. Giving a party — AVOIDANCE
29. Resisting a persistent salesperson — FEAR/ANXIETY
30. Resisting a persistent salesperson — AVOIDANCE
31. Entering a room when others are already seated — FEAR/ANXIETY
32. Entering a room when others are already seated — AVOIDANCE
33. Being the center of attention — FEAR/ANXIETY
34. Being the center of attention — AVOIDANCE
35. Eating or drinking in public places — FEAR/ANXIETY
36. Eating or drinking in public places — AVOIDANCE
References

Frequently asked questions

Is shyness the same as social anxiety disorder?

No. Shyness may cause discomfort but doesn't significantly interfere with life. Social anxiety disorder involves intense fear and avoidance that meaningfully impairs work, relationships, or daily life.

Is the LSAS-SR a diagnosis?

No. It's a screening tool. A diagnosis of social anxiety disorder requires a full clinical evaluation.

What treatment has the most evidence for social anxiety?

CBT with gradual exposure has the strongest evidence. Group therapy can also be especially helpful.

Are my answers stored?

No. The test runs entirely in your browser.