The Barratt Impulsivity Scale is a 30-item self-administered questionnaire that helps assess whether and to what extent a person may have an impulse control disorder or pathological impulsivity. Each of the 30 questions is scored four points. The questions refer to how someone thinks and behaves without reference to a specific point in time. The questionnaire consists of three subscales: motor, unplanned, and cognitive impulsivity. Ernest S. Barratt, the author of the Barratt Impulsivity Scale, suggests that a score of 75 or higher likely indicates an impulse control disorder, while those with pathological impulsivity often score between 70 and 75 points.
First developed in the 1950s, the Barratt Impulsivity Scale has been revised at least 11 times. Barratt, the author, was an internationally renowned personality and impulsive aggression researcher who passed away in 2005. Barratt's scale was developed primarily to measure anxiety-independent impulsivity as an aid to researchers.
When taking the questionnaire, the respondent is asked to rate how often they engage in particular thoughts or behaviors. A response of almost always or always is awarded four points, while a response of rarely or never is worth one point. Certain items marked with an asterisk are reverse scored. Once all questions have been answered, the total score is calculated. Normative data is available for many sample populations, from female substance abuse patients to college-age males.
Within the Barratt Impulsivity Scale there are three subscales that measure specific types of impulsivity. Certain items on the questionnaire are coded for each of these subscales. This allows the respondent or researcher to calculate a total score as well as subscale scores.
The non-planning impulsive subscale measures a person's lack of consideration for the future as well as current orientation. In other words, the focus of this subscale is the respondents' attention to detail. Items related to this subscale include the statements "I plan tasks carefully" and "I plan trips well in advance."
An additional subscale focuses on motor impulsivity, or the tendency to act on the spur of the moment without thinking. Respondents with this tendency will score high on items like "I find it hard to sit still for long periods of time" and "I do things without thinking." “I buy things on impulse” is another Barratt Impulsiveness Scale item created for this subscale.
The final subscale measures attentional impulsivity, or the ability to focus on the task at hand. This subscale is related to future-oriented thinking and coping skills of the respondent. Items related to this subscale include "I have racing thoughts" and "I like to think about complex problems."
People with impulse control disorders manifest an inability to control themselves in a variety of situations. Pyromania, kleptomania and pathological gambling are three prominent examples. An individual without proper impulse control may also experience episodes of violent and aggressive outbursts that result in physical and property damage. Treatment depends on how the impulse control disorder manifests itself.
The Barratt Impulsivity Scale is widely available and frequently used by researchers and mental health professionals. As a self-reported assessment, anyone can take the quiz at any time. It can be purchased commercially and is also available online with the scoring template.