Proust Questionnaire

What is the Proust Questionnaire?

The Proust Questionnaire is a series of introspective questions designed to reveal an individual’s personality, preferences, and values—what one might call "his or her true nature." Named after French writer Marcel Proust, who completed the questionnaire as a young man, it resembles a confession album or a friend’s autograph book. This format encouraged personal reflection through a series of thought-provoking questions, leading many to believe that the answers reveal a unique insight into the respondent's inner self.

The questionnaire's fame grew when Vanity Fair magazine adapted it in its own feature, "Vanity Fair’s Proust Questionnaire," posing the same questions to notable celebrities, artists, and academics. Over time, it has gained recognition not only as a tool for self-discovery but as an engaging, entertaining exercise in reflection.

Here are the 35 items of the Proust Questionnaire:

1. What is your idea of perfect happiness?
2. What is your greatest fear?
3. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
4. What is the trait you most deplore in others?
5. Which living person do you most admire?
6. What is your greatest extravagance?
7. What is your current state of mind?
8. What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
9. On what occasion do you lie?
10. What do you most dislike about your appearance?
11. Which living person do you most despise?
12. What is the quality you most like in a man?
13. What is the quality you most like in a woman?
14. Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
15. What or who is the greatest love of your life?
16. When and where were you happiest?
17. Which talent would you most like to have?
18. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
19. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
20. If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?
21. Where would you most like to live?
22. What is your most treasured possession?
23. What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
24. What is your favorite occupation?
25. What is your most marked characteristic?
26. What do you most value in your friends?
27. Who are your favorite writers?
28. Who is your hero in fiction?
29. Which historical figure do you most identify with?
30. Who are your heroes in real life?
31. What are your favorite names?
32. What is it that you most dislike?
33. What is your greatest regret?
34. How would you like to die?
35. What is your motto?

How to use our Proust Questionnaire template

The Proust Questionnaire template provides a structured way to encourage clients to explore their personal thoughts and feelings, similar to a confession album or a friend’s autograph book. Here’s how health professionals can use the template effectively:

Step 1: Access the template

Use the "Use template" button to open the Proust Questionnaire in Carepatron, where you can fill it out digitally or print it for in-session use. You may also download a fillable PDF by clicking "Download."

Step 2: Explain the concept to the client

Introduce the Proust Questionnaire to the client, explaining its purpose as a self-reflective exercise meant to help uncover personal preferences, values, and beliefs. Describe it as a non-evaluative, introspective activity to encourage open responses.

Step 3: Wait for the client to complete the template or administer it directly

Allow the client time to respond independently or, if preferred, administer the questionnaire directly through conversation in a session to facilitate reflection. This approach depends on what best suits your practice and your client’s comfort level.

Step 4: Use the responses for discussion or reflection

After the client has completed the questionnaire, you can discuss their answers to foster insight, build rapport, or explore their responses further. If the questionnaire is provided to group clients, it can serve as an icebreaker, allowing participants to share personal reflections comfortably.

Purpose of the questionnaire

The Proust Questionnaire serves as a tool for fostering insight and rapport, making it particularly valuable in mental health settings. Its reflective prompts encourage clients to explore personal values, desires, and beliefs, helping clinicians gain a deeper understanding of “his or her true nature.”

Self-reflection

The questionnaire invites clients to reflect on topics like their “most marked characteristic” or a “historical figure” they identify with, which promotes introspection and personal growth.

Therapeutic engagement

Using the questionnaire as an icebreaker can make initial sessions more comfortable, creating a safe space for clients to open up about their lives.

Group settings

In group therapy, sharing answers can serve as a bonding exercise, helping participants connect over shared experiences and insights.

Benefits of using the Proust Questionnaire in practice

Using the Proust Questionnaire in therapeutic settings provides several advantages, making it a versatile tool for patient engagement and self-exploration.

• Facilitates trust-building: By answering personal questions, clients reveal meaningful aspects of their lives, helping build rapport and trust between the client and clinician.
• Promotes deeper understanding: Clinicians gain insight into clients' core values, motivations, and insecurities, which can guide treatment and personalized care.
• Encourages open dialogue: The questionnaire’s format invites open-ended answers, which can lead to discussions that clarify and deepen the therapeutic relationship.
• Enhances self-awareness: For clients, answering questions about themselves in a structured way promotes awareness of their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, aiding in personal growth.