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Table 1 Sample items representing the five dimensions of the original PFAI (Conroy et al. 2002)

From: Quantifying fear of failure in STEM: modifying and evaluating the Performance Failure Appraisal Inventory (PFAI) for use with STEM undergraduates

Dimension/factor name

Abbreviation

Sample item

Fear of shame or embarrassment

FSE

“When I am not succeeding, I worry about what others think of me.”

Fear of devaluing one’s self-estimate

FDSE

“When I am failing, I blame my lack of talent.”

Fear of having an uncertain future

FUF

“When I am failing, it upsets my ’plan’ for the future.”

Fear of important others losing interest

FIOLI

“When I am not succeeding, some people are not interested in me anymore.”

Fear of upsetting important others

FUIO

“When I am failing, I lose the trust of people who are important to me.”