Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11)

Abstract

The Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) is one of the most widely utilized and extensively validated psychometric instruments designed to measure the trait of human impulsiveness. Developed by Patton, Stanford, and Barratt in 1995, the BIS-11 is a 30-item, self-report measure that assesses impulsivity as a multidimensional psychological construct, differentiating between cognitive, motor, and non-planning aspects. It is primarily used in clinical psychology and research settings to quantify behavioral and cognitive tendencies toward acting without forethought, making it a critical tool for studying various psychiatric and neurological disorders characterized by poor inhibitory control.

Keywords

Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, BIS-11, Impulsivity, Non-planning, Motor Impulsiveness, Cognitive Impulsiveness, Self-report scale, Trait assessment, Psychometrics.

Authors

J. H. Patton, M. S. Stanford, E. S. Barratt

Purpose

The primary purpose of the BIS-11 is to provide a reliable and comprehensive assessment of the tendency toward impulsive behavior in individuals. Unlike earlier versions of the scale, the BIS-11 was specifically developed to capture the multidimensional nature of impulsivity, thereby allowing researchers and clinicians to distinguish between different facets of this trait. The scale is crucial for understanding underlying mechanisms in conditions such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), substance use disorders, and personality disorders.

The scale utilizes a 4-point Likert response format (Rarely/Never, Occasionally, Often, Almost Always) for all 30 items. Scoring involves calculating a total impulsivity score, as well as separate scores for the three main factors. The original English version of the instrument is available online, and the PDF can be downloaded here: http://www.impulsivity.org/pdf/BIS11English.pdf.

Construct

The BIS-11 measures impulsivity, defined as a personality trait involving a predisposition toward rapid, unplanned reactions to internal or external stimuli without regard to potential negative consequences. The scale operationalizes this construct into three primary, correlated sub-factors:

• Motor Impulsiveness: Reflects the tendency to act quickly without thinking, such as rapid action or decision-making.
• Non-planning Impulsiveness: Reflects a lack of future orientation or forethought, indicating a focus on the present moment and difficulty with planning.
• Cognitive Impulsiveness (or Attentional Impulsiveness): Reflects a rapid cognitive tempo, including quick decision-making and a lack of concentration or persistence in complex tasks.

Validity

The construct validity of the BIS-11 is supported by its consistent three-factor structure across diverse populations and languages, confirming that it measures distinct yet related components of impulsivity. Patton et al. (1995) established the scale’s fundamental factorial validity. Furthermore, studies comparing the BIS-11 with other impulsivity measures, such as the I7 Impulsiveness Questionnaire (Luengo et al., 1991), have demonstrated strong concurrent validity, showing that the BIS-11 effectively captures the components of impulsiveness defined by other established instruments.

Cross-cultural research, such as the study on the Italian version (Fossati et al., 2001), further supports the scale’s external validity, showing that the factor structure holds up in non-clinical subjects internationally. The scale’s ability to predict real-world behaviors associated with poor inhibitory control (e.g., risk-taking, substance abuse) also provides strong evidence of its predictive validity.

Reliability

The BIS-11 generally demonstrates good internal consistency, particularly for the total score and the major factors. Miller (2003) reported specific internal consistency coefficients (Cronbach’s alpha) for the primary factors based on his research:

• Motor Impulsiveness: 0.70
• Non-planning Impulsiveness: 0.72
• Cognitive Impulsiveness (Attentional): 0.61

While the alpha for the Cognitive Impulsiveness factor is slightly lower, the overall consistency of the major factors is considered acceptable for research purposes. Test-retest reliability has also been generally favorable across various studies, confirming the stability of the impulsivity trait measurement over time.

Factor Analysis

The development of the BIS-11 was underpinned by rigorous factor analysis, which refined the structure from earlier versions (BIS-7, BIS-10). The definitive factor structure used for scoring the BIS-11 is the three-factor model proposed by Patton, Stanford, and Barratt (1995), often confirmed in subsequent studies (e.g., Miller, 2003). These three factors are:

1. Attentional Impulsiveness (Cognitive): Measures inability to focus or concentrate.
2. Motor Impulsiveness: Measures the tendency to act without thinking.
3. Non-planning Impulsiveness: Measures lack of forethought or future orientation.

The items are further broken down into six first-order sub-factors, which contribute to the three primary factors:

• Attentional Factor: Includes Attention items (5, 9*, 11, 20*, 28) and Cognitive Instability items (6, 24, 26).
• Motor Factor: Includes Motor items (2, 3, 4, 17, 19, 22, 25) and Perseverance items (16, 21, 23, 30*).
• Non-planning Factor: Includes Self-Control items (1*, 7*, 8*, 12*, 13*, 14) and Cognitive Complexity items (10*, 15*, 18, 27, 29*). (Note: Asterisks denote reverse-scored items.)

Instrument

Test Type: Self-report scale / Questionnaire

Format: 30 items, 4-point Likert scale (Rarely/Never, Occasionally, Often, Almost Always)

Language Available: English (Original), Italian, and numerous other translations.

Population Group: Clinical and Non-clinical populations.

Age Group: Adolescents and Adults (typically 16+).

Population Details: Widely used across psychiatric cohorts, including those with substance abuse, mood disorders, and forensic populations.

Test Methodology: Respondents rate how often they engage in or experience the behaviors described by each item. Scores are summed to yield a total impulsivity score and three subscale scores.

Keywords

Psychological assessment, Personality, Inhibitory control, ADHD, Barratt, Clinical psychology, Self-control, Factor structure.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Not provided in source content.

Affiliation Email addresses: Not provided in source content.

Correspondence Address: Not provided in source content.

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) is generally considered to be in the public domain for non-commercial research and clinical use, often available freely online via the official impulsivity website. Researchers are typically required to cite the original 1995 Patton et al. paper. The definitive version, BIS-11, was published in 1995.

Reference’s

• 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.
• Luengo, M. A., Carrillo-de-la-Pena, M. T., & Otero, J. M. (1991). The components of impulsiveness: A comparison of the I7 impulsiveness questionnaire and the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale. Personality and Individual Differences, 12:657-667.
• Fossati, A., Di Ceglie, A., Acquarini, E., & Barrat, E. S. (2001). Psychometric Properties of an Italian version of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 (BIS-11) in nonclinical subjects. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 57(6): 815-828.
• Miller, E. (2003). The Measurement of Impulsivity. Coventry University, School of Health and Social Sciences and University of Warwick, Thesis (Ph. D.). http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/2900/
• Miller, E., Tudway, J., & Watson, D. (2003). Investigating the Attentional-Fixity theory of impulsivity (Dickman, 1993, 1996) among a UK sexual offending sample. To be submitted to the Journal of Interpersonal Violence.

Items of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11)

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

1. I plan tasks carefully.
2. I do things without thinking
3. I make up my mind quickly
4. I am happy-go-lucky
5. I don’t pay attention
6. I have racing thoughts
7. I plan trips well ahead of time
8. I am self-controlled
9. I concentrate easily
10. I save regularly
11. I squirm at plays or lectures
12. I am a careful thinker
13. I plan for job security
14. I say things without thinking
15. I like to think about complex problems
16. I change jobs
17. I act on impulse
18. I get easily bored when solving thought problems
19. I act on the spur of the moment
20. I am a steady thinker
21. I change where I live [I change residences].
22. I buy things on impulse
23. I can only think about one problem at a time
24. I change hobbies
25. I spend more than I earn [I spend or ch‎arge more than I earn].
26. I have outside thoughts when thinking [I often have extraneous thoughts when thinking].
27. I am more interested in the present than the future
28. I am restless at lectures or talks
29. I like puzzles
30. I plan for the future [I am future oriented].