Basic Personality Inventory (BPI)

by Douglas N. Jackson, Ph.D.

 Overview

 It is a profile measure of psychopathology containing 11

bipolar personality scales and one critical item scale.
It is used to identify sources of maladjustment as well as
personal strengths.
It is used with both clinical and normal populations and
can be used for both adolescents and adults, and takes far
less time than most other personality measures
Background
The BPI was created by Douglas N. Jackson, Ph.D. 
Jackson was the former chair of the American
Psychological Association (APA)'s Committe on
Psychological Tests and Assessments.
He was also the APA's former president for their
Division of Evaluation, Measurement and Statistics;
and Society of Multivariate Experimental Psychology
Quick Facts
 Composed of 240 True/False questions
11 substansive clinical scales and 1 critical
item scale
Administration time: 35 Minutes
 Available in English, French, Spanish 
Requires a reading level equivalent to
Grade 5
It’s target client are 12+ years of age
 12 Distinct Psychological Traits
Hypochondriasis Anxiety
 Depression Thinking Disorder
Denial Impulse Expression
Interpersonal Problems Social Introversion
Alienation Self Depreciation
Persecutory Ideas Deviation
Scale names were chosen to avoid potentially
stigmatizing diagnostic labels while preserving the
accuracy of the construct name.

The BPI makes use of sophisticated procedures to

minimize susceptibility to social desirability response
bias. It is sensitive to the tendency to describe oneself
in favorable (“fake-good”) and unfavorable (“fake-
bad”) terms.
 Applications & Administrations
The BPI is used as an assessment of psychopathology
in both psychiatric and counseling practices.
It can also be used as an assessment in juvenile and
adult correctional facilities, and court referrals. 
Psychological evaluation as part of a conditional job
offer for sensitive positions
It’s purpose is to evaluate personality
In order to be purchased and administered, an
individual must have:

a) A Doctorate Degree in psychology or a

similar discipline, such as counseling,
education, human resources, social work, etc.);

b) The Direct Supervision of a qualified

psychologist or a qualified professional in a
related discipline.
 Reliability and Validity
The BPI scales have demonstrated sizable correlations with
other self-report measures intended to assess the same
dimensions of psychopathology.

None of the validity indices are out of normal limits,

indicating that the BPI was completed purposefully and that
the results may be interpreted accordingly.

The reliability index is in the normal range and indicates

consistent responding throughout the BPI.
Reliability
In a large psychiatric sample N=812, KR20
coefficients ranged between .66 and .86, with a
median of .76. 

In a sample with N=379, the values ranged from .61

to .83, with a median of .70.

Test-retest reliabilities were also acceptable, with a

gap of 1 month before the retest-2 studies came a
combined range of .62 to .87, with a median of .77

Overall, these values demonstrate stable reliabilities

for the BPI scale scores
 Validity
When compared with other self-report measures
designed to assess the same dimensions of psychopathy,
the BPI has shown sizable correlations. 

For example: In a study of 235 substance abusers, BPI

Hypochondriasis correlated .73 with MMPI
Hypochondriasis; .62 for BPI Thinking Disorder and
MMPI Schizophrenia; .55 for BPI Depression and
MMPI Depression; and .58 for BPI Social-Introversion
and MMPI Social Introversion 
 Norms
The accompanying manual for the
assessment shows separate norms for adults
and adolescents.

Adult: 1419
Adolescent: 2210
  Adult norms are based on a North American
sample using comparisons with U.S. census
data.
 Interpretation r O r d e r
H ig h e s
r Sc a l e
Psychiatric Symptomology Facto

Hypochondriasis, Persecutory Ideas, Anxiety, Thinking

Disorder and Deviation

Social Symptomology

Interpersonal Problems, Alienation, Persecutory Ideas, Impulse

Expression and Deviation
HYPOCHONDRIASIS
 Intended: Identify those with physical symptoms which are either
caused psychologically, or exaggerated psychologically. 
 Less than 50
• Is without excessive bodily concern or preoccupation with
physical complaints.  Absenteeism due to illness is below average.
• 60-69
• Many with real physical conditions score in this range.
• 70+
• Frequently concerned about being ill.  Complains regularly of
peculiar pains or bodily dysfunctions.  Discusses such topics
frequently, revealing a preoccupation with such complaints.
•
•
•
DEPRESSION
Intended:  To identify those who have the cognitive,
affective and some physical symptoms of depression.
49 or less
reports a usual feeling of confidence, cheerfulness, and
persistence, even when experiencing disappointment.
 Has an optimistic attitude about the future.
70+
Is inclined to be down-hearted and show extreme
despondency; considers self to be inadequate; may be
listless, remote, and preoccupied; looks at the future
pessimistically.


DENIAL
Intended:  To identify those who are guarded or denying
symptoms
Less than 50
Accepts feelings as part of self.  Is not afraid to discuss
unpleasant topics.  Can answer questions about self frankly;
avoids impression management.  Shows normal affect.
 Reasonably insightful.
70+
Lacks insight into feelings and the causes of own behavior.
 Avoids unpleasant, exciting or violent topics.  relatively
unresponsive emotionally.  Questionable validity, especially if
clinical scales are lower than expected.


INTERPERSONAL PROBLEMS
Intended:  To identify those who have difficulty getting along with others.
 Especially due to irritability and  oppositional styles.
49 or less

Reasonably cooperative. Experiences less than average irritation from their
environment and others.  Handles noises, interruptions,
changes in routine, disappointments, others mistakes and authority
reasonably well.  Prefers clearly defined rules and regulations; able to
handle criticism.
70+

Is often extremely annoyed by little inconveniences, frustrations, or
disappointments; uncooperative, disobedient, resistant to others, and reacts
against discipline, rules and criticism.



ALIENATION
Intended:  To identify those with asocial, or personalized
standards of right and wrong.
Less than 50
Ordinarily displays socially acceptable ethical attitudes and is
socially responsible.  Reports feeling a sense of obligation
toward society and its laws (conscience).
70+

Expresses attitudes markedly different from common social
codes; is prone to depart from the truth and behave in an
unethical/illegal and untrustworthy manner;  feels little or no
guilt about behavior.


PERSECUTORY IDEAS
Intended:  To identify those who have paranoid
ideation.
49 or less
Trust others and does not feel threatened.  Accepts
responsibility for the events in life and does not
attribute maliciousness to others.
70+
Believes that certain people are hostile and are trying
to make life difficult and/or unpleasant.  Inclined to
brood.  Distrusts others.


ANXIETY
Intended:  To identify those who have the cognitive and
affective symptoms of anxiety.  Emotional reactivity.
Less than 50
Remains calm, unruffled and not worried even when
confronted by unexpected occurrences.  Takes things as they
come without fear or apprehension.  Maintains personal control
even in crisis situations.
70+

Easily scared and worrisome.  Little things, even an idea, can
cause a frenzy of anxiety.  Afraid of physical or interpersonal
danger.


THINKING DISORDER
Intended:  To identify those with problems with reality
testing and difficulties with distractibility and/or concentration.
49 or less
Has no difficulty with reality testing.  Has no difficulty
distinguishing daydreams from reality.  Is able to concentrate
and maintain sensible conversations.
70+

Is markedly confused, distractible and cognitively disorganized.
cannot remember simple things from day to day.  reports feeling
that life is dream-like, and that there is a marked difference
between self and others (sees self as different from others-odd).


IMPULSE EXPRESSION
Intended:  To identify impulsive, hedonistic minded responses.
Sensation seeking and risky behaviors.
Less than 50
Appears to be even-tempered and level headed; considers the
future and consequences before acting; generally has the
patience to cope with lengthy and tedious tasks.  Persistence.
70+

Lacks the ability to think beyond the present and consider the
consequences of action; is prone to undertake risky and
reckless actions; inclined to behave irresponsibly; finds routine
tasks boring.


SOCIAL INTROVERSION
Intended:  To identify people who avoid others either due
to disinterest, fear or withdrawal.
49 or less
Enjoys company and being with others.  Likes to talk and
knows many people.  Spends time with others, seeks
others out.
70+
Avoids people generally.  Has few friends, or is
withdrawing from friends.  Says little to others, even
friends. Seems to be uncomfortable when around others.
Prefers to keep to self or asocial activities.


SELF-DEPRECIATION
Intended:  To identify those who are negative and/or self-
depreciating.  Poor self-esteem.
Less than 50
Manifests a high degree or self-assurance in dealing with
others. Not afraid to meet strangers; speaks with
confidence about a variety of topics; believes in own
abilities and that he/she can accomplish things.
70+
Degrades self as being worthless, unpleasant, and
undeserving. Generally expresses a low opinion of self
and refuses credit for any accomplishment.


DEVIATION
Intended:  To identify unusual response styles and
behavior patterns which are very pathological.
49 or less
Generally shows behavior patterns similar to those of a
majority of people. Tends to be free from unusual
symptoms and modes of thought.
70+
Displays behavior patterns very different from most
people’s. admits to unusual and pathological
characteristics.  If elevated with most other scales watch
for “fake bad.”


 Best For
Psychologists looking for a quick psychological
screening test for both normal and clinical populations
Counselors and psychologists seeking to assess
psychopathology in adults and adolescents
Research on normal and maladaptive personality for
diverse populations
Online administration and an informative report for
easy interpretation
end