Description

The Dickman Impulsivity Inventory (DII) is an assessment tool designed to measure impulsivity as a personality and behavioral trait. Developed by S. J. Dickman, it distinguishes between two fundamental dimensions of impulsivity:

Functional Impulsivity refers to the tendency to make quick decisions that are beneficial or adaptive in particular situations. This form of impulsivity is often associated with effective action in high-pressure or rapidly changing environments.
Dysfunctional Impulsivity refers to impulsive behavior that is poorly controlled, potentially harmful, and often leads to negative outcomes. It reflects a failure to inhibit inappropriate or premature responses.
The inventory consists of 69 statements, to which participants respond using a Likert-type scale, typically ranging from 1 (“Strongly Agree”) to 5 (“Strongly Disagree”).

Analysis

The analysis of DII results focuses on the scores obtained in the two core dimensions:
Functional Impulsivity: High scores indicate an individual’s ability to make quick and useful decisions, suggesting a form of impulsivity that can be constructive.
Dysfunctional Impulsivity: High scores suggest poor impulse control, frequent rash decision-making, and a greater likelihood of encountering negative consequences due to unregulated behavior.
Data analysis involves aggregating scores across relevant items, dividing results into subcategories, and comparing them with normative data to interpret the extent and nature of an individual’s impulsivity.

Purpose

The main aim of the DII is to assess impulsivity by distinguishing between adaptive and maladaptive forms. The tool is used for various purposes:

Clinical Assessment: To explore how impulsivity may impact an individual’s daily functioning and interpersonal relationships.

Research: To examine how impulsivity correlates with psychiatric and personality disorders, such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or mood disorders.

Therapeutic Intervention: To support the development of behavioral strategies aimed at improving self-regulation and impulse control.

Calibration

Scoring is based on participant responses across the 69 items. Total scores are computed separately for the two impulsivity types.
Functional Impulsivity: High scores reflect a capacity for adaptive decision-making in fast-paced or uncertain contexts.
Dysfunctional Impulsivity: High scores reflect challenges with self-control, impulsive risk-taking, and susceptibility to negative consequences.

References

Dickman, S. J. (1990). Functional and dysfunctional impulsivity: Personality and cognitive correlates. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 58(1), 95–102.
Dickman, S. J., & Meyer, S. (1994). Impulsivity and self-control: Relationship to personality, cognitive processes, and problem behaviors. Journal of Research in Personality, 28(3), 310–331.
Kruschke, J. K. (2011). Doing Bayesian Data Analysis: A Tutorial with R, JAGS, and Stan. Academic Press. (For methodological guidance on analysis and impulsivity evaluation.)