Revised Cambridge Personality Questionnaire

Abstract

The Revised Cambridge Personality Questionnaire, commonly referred to by its primary subscale, the Systemizing Quotient-Revised (SQ-R), is a comprehensive psychological instrument developed to quantify an individual’s drive to systemize. Systemizing is defined as the innate tendency to analyze, explore, and construct systems, which are governed by predictable rules and patterns. Published by Wheelwright and colleagues in 2006, the SQ-R consists of 75 items and represents a significant expansion and refinement of the original Systemizing Quotient. This scale is critically important in research concerning cognitive styles, particularly within the framework of the Empathy-Systemizing theory, and is frequently utilized to study traits associated with the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ).

Keywords

Systemizing Quotient-Revised (SQ-R), Systemizing, Autism Spectrum Quotient, Empathy-Systemizing Theory, Cognitive Style, Psychological Assessment, Cambridge Personality Questionnaire, Baron-Cohen.

Authors

S. Wheelwright, S. Baron-Cohen, N. Goldenfeld, J. Delaney, D. Fine, R. Smith, L. Weil, A. Wakabayashi.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the SQ-R is to provide a detailed and psychometrically sound measurement of the systemizing trait. This trait is considered one of two core dimensions—alongside empathy—that structure individual differences in cognitive processing, according to the Empathy-Systemizing theory.

By capturing the drive to identify and manipulate rules across various domains (including mechanical, natural, numerical, and abstract systems), the SQ-R allows researchers to quantify the degree to which an individual prioritizes structure, order, and predictable patterns. The enhanced 75-item structure aimed to increase the breadth and sensitivity of the measure, facilitating more precise research into cognitive profiles, particularly those seen in conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Construct

The scale measures the Systemizing construct. Systemizing is the drive to analyze systems in terms of the rules that govern them, allowing for prediction and control. A system is anything that follows rules: a mechanical device, a mathematical formula, a library catalog, or a social structure. Individuals with high systemizing scores exhibit a strong preference for detail, organization, and rule-based knowledge.

The items cover activities such as fixing electrical problems, reading maps, understanding financial systems, organizing collections, and noticing grammatical errors. The scoring reflects the degree of interest in and aptitude for detecting underlying structure and logic, making the SQ-R a crucial tool for understanding cognitive differences, especially in relation to the Empathy Quotient (EQ).

Validity

The development of the SQ-R from the original SQ reflects an effort to maximize content validity by broadening the scope of systemizing domains covered by the items. The 75 items ensure comprehensive coverage of technical, natural, abstract, and collecting behaviors.

Construct validity is evidenced by the scale’s predictable correlations with other established psychological measures. Specifically, the SQ-R is consistently found to correlate negatively with the Empathy Quotient (EQ) and positively with the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ), supporting the theoretical framework that high systemizing is a cognitive marker for certain conditions. The 2006 foundational study demonstrated its efficacy in predicting AQ scores when combined with EQ scores.

Reliability

The substantial length of the 75-item scale contributes significantly to its high internal reliability. In psychometric evaluations, the SQ-R typically demonstrates robust internal consistency, often measured using Cronbach’s alpha, confirming that the items cohesively measure the underlying systemizing trait. This high reliability makes the SQ-R suitable for use in both large-scale population studies and clinical settings where consistency of measurement is paramount.

Factor Analysis

While the SQ-R is often scored as a single, unidimensional measure of the general Systemizing drive, factor analytic studies have explored potential subdomains within the 75 items. These investigations often reveal clusters corresponding to different types of systems, such as technical/mechanical systemizing, abstract/mathematical systemizing, and natural/collectable systemizing. The authors designed the scale to capture the breadth of systemizing behaviors, suggesting that a strong general factor underlies these specific interests.

Instrument

Test Type: Self-report questionnaire / Psychological Test

Format: 75 items, utilizing a 4-point Likert Scale response format (strongly agree, slightly agree, slightly disagree, strongly disagree).

Language Available: Primarily English; translations are often developed by researchers based on localized needs.

Population Group: General adult population and clinical populations (e.g., individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder).

Age Group: Adults (typically 16 years and older).

Population Details: Used widely in research to explore sex differences in cognitive style and to profile neurodiverse populations.

Test Methodology: Items are scored based on agreement with statements reflecting systemizing behavior. Scoring involves assigning points for agreement/disagreement, with some items being reverse-scored. Total scores are summed, with higher scores indicating a stronger drive to systemize.

Keywords

Systemizing, SQ-R, Systemizing Quotient-Revised, Cognitive Profile, Baron-Cohen, Rule-Based Thinking, Psychometrics, Autism Research Centre.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Information not provided in source. (N/A)

Affiliation Email addresses: Information not provided in source. (N/A)

Correspondence Address: Correspondence is typically handled through the Autism Research Centre (ARC) at the University of Cambridge.

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The SQ-R was first published in its revised form in 2006. This instrument is typically available for non-commercial academic research use through the Autism Research Centre (ARC). Permissions should be sought directly from the ARC, and researchers are required to cite the original publication. Academic use is generally provided without a fee.

The instrument can be found at the Autism Research Centre test repository: http://www.autismresearchcentre.com/arc_tests.

The original PDF detailing the scale’s use in predicting the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) is available here: http://docs.autismresearchcentre.com/papers/2006_Wheelwright_etal_BrainResearch.pdf

Reference’s

Wheelwright, S., Baron-Cohen, S., Goldenfeld, N., Delaney, J., Fine, D., Smith, R., Weil, L., and Wakabayashi, A. (2006). Predicting Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) from the Systemizing Quotient-Revised (SQ-R) and Empathy Quotient (EQ). Brain Research 1079:47-56.

Items of the Revised Cambridge Personality Questionnaire

IMPORTANT: The following scale items must be preserved in their original language and must not be changed in any way.

Response options: strongly agree, slightly agree, slightly disagree, strongly disagree

1. I find it very easy to use train timetables‚ even if this involves several connections.
2. I like music or book shops because they are clearly organised.
3. I would not enjoy organising events e.g. fundraising evenings‚ fetes‚ conferences.
4. When I read something‚ I always notice whether it is grammatically correct.
5. I find myself categorising people into types (in my own mind).
6. I find it difficult to read and understand maps.
7. When I look at a mountain‚ I think about how precisely it was formed.
8. I am not interested in the details of exchange rates‚ interest rates‚ stocks and shares.
9. If I were buying a car‚ I would want to obtain specific information about its engine capacity.
10. I find it difficult to learn how to programme video recorders.
11. When I like something I like to collect a lot of different examples of that type of object‚ so I can see how they differ from each other.
12. When I learn a language‚ I become intrigued by its grammatical rules.
13. I like to know how committees are structured in terms of who the different committee members represent or what their functions are.
14. If I had a collection (e.g. CDs‚ coins‚ stamps)‚ it would be highly organised..
15. I find it difficult to understand instruction manuals for putting appliances together.
16. When I look at a building‚ I am curious about the precise way it was constructed.
17. I am not interested in understanding how wireless communication works (e.g. mobile phones).
18. When travelling by train‚ I often wonder exactly how the rail networks are coordinated.
19. I enjoy looking through catalogues of products to see the details of each product and how it compares to others.
20. Whenever I run out of something at home‚ I always add it to a shopping list.
21. I know‚ with reasonable accuracy‚ how much money has come in and gone out of my bank account this month.
22. When I was young I did not enjoy collecting sets of things e.g. stickers‚ football cards etc.
23. I am interested in my family tree and in understanding how everyone is related to each other in the family.
24. When I learn about historical events‚ I do not focus on exact dates.
25. I find it easy to grasp exactly how odds work in betting.
26. I do not enjoy games that involve a high degree of strategy (e.g. chess‚ Risk‚ Games Workshop).
27. When I learn about a new category I like to go into detail to understand the small differences between different members of that category.
28. I do not find it distressing if people who live with me upset my routines.
29. When I look at an animal‚ I like to know the precise species it belongs to.
30. I can remember large amounts of information about a topic that interests me e.g. flags of the world‚ airline logos.
31. At home‚ I do not carefully file all important documents e.g. guarantees‚ insurance policies
32. I am fascinated by how machines work.
33. When I look at a piece of furniture‚ I do not notice the details of how it was constructed.
34. I know very little about the different stages of the legislation process in my country.
35. I do not tend to watch science documentaries on television or read articles about science and nature.
36. If someone stops to ask me the way‚ I’d be able to give directions to any part of my home town.
37. When I look at a painting‚ I do not usually think about the technique involved in making it.
38. I prefer social interactions that are structured around a clear activity‚ e.g. a hobby.
39. I do not always check off receipts etc. against my bank statement.
40. I am not interested in how the government is organised into different ministries and departments.
41. I am interested in knowing the path a river takes from its source to the sea.
42. I have a large collection e.g. of books‚ CDs‚ videos etc.
43. If there was a problem with the electrical wiring in my home‚ I’d be able to fix it myself.
44. My clothes are not carefully organised into different types in my wardrobe.
45. I rarely read articles or webpages about new technology.
46. I can easily visualise how the motorways in my region link up.
47. When an election is being held‚ I am not interested in the results for each constituency.
48. I do not particularly enjoy learning about facts and figures in history.
49. I do not tend to remember people’s birthdays (in terms of which day and month this falls).
50. When I am walking in the country‚ I am curious about how the various kinds of trees differ.
51. I find it difficult to understand information the bank sends me on different investment and saving systems.
52. If I were buying a camera‚ I would not look carefully into the quality of the lens.
53. If I were buying a computer‚ I would want to know exact details about its hard drive capacity and processor speed.
54. I do not read legal documents very carefully.
55. When I get to the checkout at a supermarket I pack different categories of goods into separate bags.
56. I do not follow any particular system when I’m cleaning at home.
57. I do not enjoy in-depth political discussions.
58. I am not very meticulous when I carry out D.I.Y or home improvements.
59. I would not enjoy planning a business from scratch to completion.
60. If I were buying a stereo‚ I would want to know about its precise technical features.
61. I tend to keep things that other people might throw away‚ in case they might be useful for something in the future.
62. I avoid situations which I cannot control.
63. I do not care to know the names of the plants I see.
64. When I hear the weather forecast‚ I am not very interested in the meteorological patterns.
65. It does not bother me if things in the house are not in their proper place.
66. In maths‚ I am intrigued by the rules and patterns governing numbers.
67. I find it difficult to learn my way around a new city.
68. I could list my favourite 10 books‚ recalling titles and authors’ names from memory.
69. When I read the newspaper‚ I am drawn to tables of information‚ such as football league scores or stock market indices.
70. When I’m in a plane‚ I do not think about the aerodynamics.
71. I do not keep careful records of my household bills.
72. When I have a lot of shopping to do‚ I like to plan which shops I am going to visit and in what order.
73. When I cook‚ I do not think about exactly how different methods and ingredients contribute to the final product.
74. When I listen to a piece of music‚ I always notice the way it’s structured.
75. I could generate a list of my favourite 10 songs from memory‚ including the title and the artist’s name who performed each song.