THE 'DO YOU KNOW' SCALE

Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history. Carter G. Woodson

How much do you know about your parents?

What do your kids know about their parents?

Try out the DYK scale.

THE DO YOU KNOW SCALE, a measure developed by Dr. Marshall Duke and Dr. Robyn Fivush of Emory University. The scale is comprised of 20 questions seeking knowledge about family history. 

Children who score high on the Do You Know scale are associated with higher levels of self-esteem, an internal locus of control, better family functioning, lower levels of anxiety, fewer behavioral problems, and better chances for good outcomes if faced with educational or emotional/behavioral difficulties.

The following questions test knowledge of things that children could not possibly have learned first hand but from others through stories, writings or other indirect resources. Mostly, this storytelling happens at family dinners and family occasions, and mostly it’s the mothers and grandmothers who do the transmitting.

Instructions: Click the button below to get the DYK questions.  Answer each question according to the way you personally feel. Check the box if it is at least somewhat true for you.