Mapping the Possible: The Possibilities Literacy Questionnaire

Abstract

In a world marked by uncertainty and accelerating change, there is a growing need for tools that help individuals understand how they relate to the possible. Building on recent work proposing “Possibilities Literacy” as a set of competencies for perceiving, generating, engaging with and ethically guiding possibilities, this article introduces the Possibilities Literacy Questionnaire (PoLiQu). Rather than a validated psychometric instrument, PoLiQu is conceived as a reflective tool designed to support self-understanding, dialogue and personal or group development. Its fifteen items correspond directly to the fifteen dimensions of the Possibilities Literacy framework: Perception, Crafting, Engagement, Stewardship, and Mindsets, each explored through Constraints, Alternatives, and Agency. The questionnaire invites respondents to reflect on their behaviours rather than underlying traits, using understandable response options such as “often”, “sometimes” or “rarely”. It can be completed in multiple ways: assessing one’s current practices, one’s aspirations, and the behaviours expected by others. PoLiQu can also be used relationally—i.e., completed with or for others—or as an interview guide that supports rich qualitative exploration. By proposing a tool that prioritises reflection rather than measurement, PoLiQu contributes to an emerging family of creativityoriented, socioculturally grounded instruments that aim not to categorise individuals but to expand their horizon of possibility. Its potential applications range from education and organisational development to therapy, coaching, and community work.