Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS)

Patton, J. H., Stanford, M. S., & Barratt, E. S. (1995). Factor structure of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 51(6), 768-774. doi: 10.1002/1097-4679(199511)51:6<768::AID-JCLP2270510607>3.0.CO;2-1

	Table of Contents
	Description
	History of Use
	References

Description:

Purpose		The BIS was designed to assess the personality trait of impulsiveness. It was intended to be an improvement over previous versions of the BIS, including Barratt's (1959) original measure.
Questions		30 items using 4-point ratings (1 = never/rarely, 2 = occasionally, 3 = often, 4 = almost always/always)
Sub-scales		3 sub-scales: Attentional Impulsiveness assesses task-focus, intrusive thoughts, and racing thoughts. Motor Impulsiveness assesses tendency to act on the spur of the moment and consistency of lifestyle. Non-planning Impulsiveness assesses careful thinking and planning and enjoyment of challenging mental tasks.
Domain
Psychometrics
Sample items		I am restless at the theater or lectures. (Attentional Impulsiveness) I buy things on impulse. (Motor Impulsiveness) I plan tasks carefully. (Non-planning Impulsiveness)

References:

Scale:

Patton, J. H., Stanford, M. S., & Barratt, E. S. (1995). Factor structure of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 51(6), 768-774. doi: 10.1002/1097-4679(199511)51:6<768::AID-JCLP2270510607>3.0.CO;2-1

Other:

Barratt, E. S. (1959). Anxiety and impulsiveness related to psychomotor efficiency. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 9(2), 191-198 doi: 10.2466/PMS.9.3.191-198

Barratt, E. S. (1965). Factor analysis of some psychometric measures of impulsiveness and anxiety. Psychological Reports, 16(2), 547-554

Stanford, M. S., Mathias, C. W., Dougherty, D. M., Lake, S. L., Anderson, N. E., & Patton, J. H. (2009). Fifty years of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale: An update and review. Personality and Individual Differences, 47(5), 385-395. doi: 10.1016/j.paid.2009.04.008

Selected Uses:

Stanford, M. S., Greve, K. W., Boudreaux, Mathias, C. W., & Brumbelow, J. L. (1996). Impulsiveness and risk-taking behavior: comparison of high-school and college students using the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale. Personality and Individual Differences, 21(6), 1073-1075. doi: 10.1016/S0191-8869(96)00151-1

Mitchell, S. H. (1999). Measures of impulsivity in cigarette smokers and non-smokers. Psychopharmacology, 146(4), 455-464. doi: 10.1007/PL00005491

Lauriola, M., Russo, P. M., Lucidi, F., Violani, C., & Levin, I. P. (2005). The role of personality in positively and negatively framed risky health decisions. Personality and Individual Differences, 38(1), 45-59. doi: 10.1016/j.paid.2004.03.020

Davis, C., Patte, K., Tweed, S., & Curtis, C. (2007). Personality traits associated with decision-making deficits. Personality and Individual Differences, 42(2), 279-290. doi: 10.1016/j.paid.2006.07.006

Martin, L. E., & Potts, G. F. (2009). Impulsivity in decision-making: an event-related potential investigation. Personality and Individual Differences, 46(3), 303-308. doi: 10.1016/j.paid.2008.10.019

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