Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-revised (EPQ-R)

Abstract

The Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-revised (EPQ-R) is a seminal self-report inventory designed to quantitatively measure the three major, biologically-rooted dimensions of human personality proposed by Hans Eysenck and Sybil Eysenck. As an updated version of the original Eysenck Personality Inventory (EPI), the EPQ-R focuses on the P-E-N model: Psychoticism (P), Extraversion (E), and Neuroticism (N).

The full EPQ-R scale comprises 100 items, typically utilizing a binary (Yes/No) response format. A critical component of the instrument is the inclusion of the dedicated Lie (L) scale, which serves as a validity measure to detect and control for socially desirable responding, thereby ensuring the integrity of the collected personality assessment data.

Keywords

Eysenck, EPQ-R, P-E-N model, Personality assessment, Extraversion, Neuroticism, Psychoticism, Lie scale, Trait theory, Psychometrics, Response bias.

Authors

Hans Eysenck, Sybil Eysenck, Paul Barrett

Purpose

The central objective of the EPQ-R is to provide a standardized, robust, and quantitative measure of the core traits within Eysenck’s three-factor model. This scale is grounded in the theoretical premise that these fundamental personality dimensions possess substantial biological and genetic underpinnings, reflecting fundamental differences in individual temperament.

The instrument is widely applied across diverse settings. In clinical psychology, it assists in understanding individual differences and contributes to the potential differential diagnosis of certain psychological disorders. Furthermore, in applied fields such as educational guidance and occupational placement, the EPQ-R offers valuable insight into an individual’s behavioral tendencies, social interaction style, and emotional resilience.

Construct

The EPQ-R is structured to assess four principal constructs: the three core personality dimensions derived from the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire model, and one essential validity scale.

• Extraversion (E): This dimension captures the degree of sociability, assertiveness, and general activity level. High scorers (extraverts) are characteristically outgoing and stimulated by social environments, whereas low scorers (introverts) are typically reserved, preferring solitude or interaction within small, intimate groups.
• Neuroticism (N): This dimension measures emotional stability versus emotional lability. Individuals scoring highly on Neuroticism are often susceptible to negative emotional states, including anxiety, worry, and depression, and exhibit heightened sensitivity to psychological stress. Conversely, low scorers demonstrate emotional stability and general calmness.
• Psychoticism (P): This dimension relates to traits such as tough-mindedness, impulsivity, and non-conformity. High P scorers are frequently described as cold, aggressive, detached, and insensitive, often struggling to adhere to conventional social rules. Low P scorers tend to be warm, empathetic, and conventional in their behavior.
• Lie Scale (L): Serving as a critical validity measure, the Lie Scale is designed to identify response sets where the respondent attempts to distort their answers, typically by presenting an unrealistically favorable or virtuous self-image.

Validity

The EPQ-R has consistently demonstrated substantial validity across an extensive body of international research. This consistency confirms its efficacy in measuring the intended psychological constructs (P, E, and N). The robust and replicable nature of the three-factor structure across diverse global populations provides strong evidence for the instrument’s construct validity within the parameters of Eysenck’s biological trait theory.

The strategic inclusion of the Lie (L) scale is fundamental to maintaining data integrity. By identifying and accounting for potential response bias—specifically, attempts at social desirability—the L scale strengthens the overall validity and trustworthiness of the individual personality profile derived from the EPQ-R scores.

Reliability

The EPQ-R exhibits commendable internal consistency, which is a key indicator of its overall reliability across the measured scales. The following Cronbach’s Alpha coefficients, derived from the full 100-item questionnaire, demonstrate the reliability metrics across gender:

• Extraversion (E): Males (0.90); Females (0.85)
• Neuroticism (N): Males (0.88); Females (0.85)
• Psychoticism (P): Males (0.78); Females (0.76)
• Lie Scale (L): Males (0.82); Females (0.79)

While the abbreviated 48-item short-scale version of the EPQ-R maintains acceptable overall reliability, a recognized limitation is the notably lower internal consistency observed specifically for the Psychoticism scale (Males: 0.62; Females: 0.61). This reduction in reliability should be considered when opting for the shorter instrument in research or clinical practice.

Factor Analysis

The development of the EPQ-R was guided by extensive factor analysis, which strongly supported Eysenck’s central hypothesis that human personality can be comprehensively summarized by three independent, orthogonal factors (P, E, and N). The scale items are specifically constructed to load onto these distinct factors, each characterized by a unique cluster of associated traits:

• Psychoticism (P) Traits: Aggressive, Assertive, Egocentric, Unsympathetic, Manipulative, Achievement-oriented, Dogmatic, Masculine, and Tough-minded.
• Extraversion (E) Traits: Sociable, Irresponsible, Dominant, Lack of reflection, Impulsive, Sensation-seeking, Risk-taking, Expressive, Active.
• Neuroticism (N) Traits: Anxious, Depressed, Guilt Feelings, Low self-esteem, Moody, Tense, Hypochondriac, Lack of autonomy, Obsessive.

Instrument

Test Type: Self-report inventory (Psychometric Personality Test)

Format: The instrument is available in a Full Scale (100 items) and a Short Scale (48 items). Responses are typically recorded using a binary (YES/NO) format.

Language Available: The EPQ-R has been widely translated and validated for use across numerous international languages and cultures.

Population Group: General population, utilized extensively across clinical, educational, and occupational assessment settings.

Age Group: Primarily used with adults and adolescents.

Population Details: As a self-report inventory, the EPQ-R relies on the respondent’s capacity for introspection and adequate literacy. Therefore, it may be unsuitable for individuals presenting with severe cognitive impairments or low literacy levels.

Test Methodology: The respondent completes a standardized set of questions pertaining to their typical behaviors, feelings, and attitudes. These responses are then scored to produce quantitative measures across the P, E, N, and L dimensions.

Keywords

Eysenck P-E-N model, Psychometrics, Self-assessment, Clinical psychology, Trait theory, Temperament, Response set, Impulsivity, Emotional stability.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Not provided in source.

Affiliation Email addresses: Not provided in source.

Correspondence Address: Not provided in source.

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The EPQ-R represents a formal revision and enhancement of the original Eysenck Personality Inventory (EPI, 1964). The revised version was formally introduced and detailed in academic literature in 1985. Specific permissions and associated fees for commercial or clinical administration of the EPQ-R must be secured directly from the official test publishers.

The original PDF detailing the instrument and scoring methodology can be accessed and downloaded here: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.463.9614&rep=rep1&type=pdf.

Reference’s

• Eysenck, S. B. G., Eysenck, H. J., & Barrett, P. (1985). A revised version of the psychoticism scale. Personality and Individual Differences, 6:21–29.
• Eysenck, H. J., & Eysenck, S. B. G. (1975). Manual of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (Junior and Adult). Hodder and Stoughton.

Items of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-revised (EPQ-R)

EPQ-R (Full 100-Item Scale)

1. Do you have many different hobbies?
2. Do you stop to think things over before doing anything?
3. Does your mood often go up and down?
4. Have you ever taken the praise for something you knew someone else had really done?
5. Do you take much notice of what people think?.
6. Are you a talkative person?
7. Would being in debt worry you?
8. Do you ever feel ‘just miserable’ for no reason?
9. Do you give money to ch‎arities?
10. Were you ever greedy by helping yourself to more than your share of anything?
11. Are you rather lively?
12. Would it upset you a lot to see a child or an animal suffer?
13. Do you often worry about things you should not have done or said?
14. Do you dislike people who don’t know how to behave themselves?
15. If you say you will do something‚ do you always keep your promise no matter how inconvenient it might be?
16. Can you usually let yourself go and enjoy yourself at a lively party?
17. Are you an irritable person?
18. Should people always respect the law?
19. Have you ever blamed someone for doing something you knew was really your fault?
20. Do you enjoy meeting new people?
21. Are good manners very important?
22. Are your feelings easily hurt?
23. Are all your habits good and desirable ones?
24. Do you tend to keep in the background on social occasions?
25. Would you take drugs which may have strange or dangerous effects?
26. Do you often feel ‘fed-up’?
27. Have you ever taken anything (even a pin or button) that belonged to someone else?
28. Do you like going out a lot?
29. Do you prefer to go your own way rather than act by the rules?
30. Do you enjoy hurting people you love?
31. Are you often troubled about feelings of guilt?
32. Do you sometimes talk about things you know nothing about?
33. Do you prefer reading to meeting people?
34. Do you have enemies who want to harm you?
35. Would you call yourself a nervous person?
36. Do you have many friends?
37. Do you enjoy practical jokes that can sometimes really hurt people?
38. Are you a worrier?
39. As a child did you do as you were told immediately and without grumbling?
40. Would you call yourself happy-go-lucky?
41. Do good manners and cleanliness matter much to you?
42. Have you often gone against your parents’ wishes?
43. Do you worry about awful things that might happen?
44. Have you ever broken or lost something belonging to someone else?
45. Do you usually take the initiative in making new friends?
46. Would you call yourself tense or ‘highly-strung’?
47. Are you mostly quiet when you are with other people?
48. Do you think marriage is old-fashioned and should be done away with?
49. Do you sometimes boast a little?
50. Are you more easy-going about right and wrong than most people?
51. Can you easily get some life into a rather dull party?
52. Do you worry about your health?
53. Have you ever said anything bad or nasty about anyone?
54. Do you enjoy co-operating with others?
55. Do you like telling jokes and funny stories to your friends?
56. Do most things taste the same to you?
57. As a child were you ever cheeky to your parents?
58. Do you like mixing with people?
59. Does it worry you if you know there are mistakes in your work?
60. Do you suffer from sleeplessness?
61. Have people said that you sometimes act too rashly?
62. Do you always wash before a meal?
63. Do you nearly always have a ‘ready answer’ when people talk to you?
64. Do you like to arrive at appointments in plenty of time?
65. Have you often felt listless and tired for no reason?
66. Have you ever cheated at a game?
67. Do you like doing things in which you have to act quickly?
68. Is (or was) your mother a good woman?
69. Do you often make decisions on the spur of the moment?
70. Do you often feel life is very dull?
71. Have you ever taken advantage of someone?
72. Do you often take on more activities than you have time for?
73. Are there several people who keep trying to avoid you?
74. Do you worry a lot about your looks?
75. Do you think people spend too much time safeguarding their future with savings and insurance?
76. Have you ever wished that you were dead?
77. Would you dodge paying taxes if you were sure you could never be found out?
78. Can you get a patty going?
79. Do you try not to be rude to people?
80. Do you worry too long after an embarrassing experience?
81. Do you generally ‘look before you leap’?
82. Have you ever insisted on ha‎ving your own way?
83. Do you suffer from ‘nerves’?
84. Do you often feel lonely?
85. Can you on the whole trust people to tell the truth?
86. Do you always practice what you preach?
87. Are you easily hurt when people find fault with you or the work you do?
88. Is it better to follow society’s rules than go your own way?
89. Have you ever been late for an appointment or work?
90. Do you like plenty of bustle and excitement around you?
91. Would you like other people to be afraid of you?
92. Are you sometimes bubbling over with energy and sometimes very sluggish?
93. Do you sometimes put off until tomorrow what you ought to do today?
94. Do other people think of you as being very lively?
95. Do people tell you a lot of lies?
96. Do you believe one has special duties to one’s family?
97. Are you touchy about some things?
98. Are you always willing to admit it when you have made a mistake?
99. Would you feel very sorry for an animal caught in a trap?
100. When your temper rises‚ do you find it difficult to control?

Short-scale EPQ-R

1. Does your mood often go up and down?
2. Do you take much notice of what people think?
3. Are you a talkative person?
4. If you say you will do something‚ do you always keep your promise no matter how inconvenient it might be?
5. Do you ever feel ‘just miserable ‘for no reason?
6. Would being in debt worry you?
7. Are you rather lively?
8. Were you ever greedy by helping yourself to more than your share of anything?
9. Are you an irritable person?
10. Would you take drugs which may have strange or dangerous effects?
11. Do you enjoy meeting new people?
12. Have you ever blamed someone for doing something you knew was really your fault?
13. Are your feelings easily hurt?
14. Do you prefer to go your own way rather than act by the rules?
15. Can you usually let yourself go and enjoy yourself at a lively party?
16. Are all your habits good and desirable ones?
17. Do you often feel ‘fed-up’?
18. Do good manners and cleanliness matter much to you?
19. Do you usually take the initiative in making new friends?
20. Have you ever taken anything (even a pin or button) that belonged to someone else?
21. Would you call yourself a nervous person?
22. Do you think marriage is old-fashioned and should be done away with?
23. Can you easily get some life into a rather dull party?
24. Have you ever broken or lost something belonging to someone else?
25. Are you a worrier?
26. Do you enjoy co-operating with others?
27. Do you tend to keep in the background on social occasions?
28. Does it worry you if you know there are mistakes in your work?
29. Have you ever said anything bad or nasty about anyone?
30. Would you call yourself tense or ‘highly-strung’?
31. Do you think people spend too much time safeguarding their future with savings and insurances?
32. Do you like mixing with people?
33. As a child were you ever cheeky to your parents?
34. Do you worry too long after an embarrassing experience?
35. Do you try not to be rude to people?
36. Do you like plenty of bustle and excitement around you?
37. Have you ever cheated at a game?
38. Do you suffer from ‘nerves’?
39. Would you like other people to be afraid of you?
40. Have you ever taken advantage of someone?
41. Are you mostly quiet when you are with other people?
42. Do you often feel lonely?
43. Is it better to follow society’s rules than go your own way?
44. Do other people think of you as being very lively?
45. Do you always practice what you preach?
46. Are you often troubled about feelings of guilt?
47. Do you sometimes put off until tomorrow what you ought to do today?
48. Can you get a party going?