Description

The Impulsivity Scale (IS) is an assessment tool used to measure the tendency for impulsive behavior across various situations. It was designed to support the diagnosis and understanding of impulsivity, which can impact decision-making and social functioning.

Analysis

The IS includes questions that assess impulsivity in multiple areas of a person’s life, such as:

Behavioral Impulsivity:
Refers to actions taken without consideration of consequences, such as making risky decisions.
Emotional Impulsivity:
Examines how frequently the individual reacts strongly in emotional situations without thinking about the outcome.
Cognitive Impulsivity:
Measures the individual’s difficulty in delaying gratification or planning their actions.
Social Impulsivity:
Assesses how impulsivity affects relationships and interactions with others.

Purpose

The purpose of the Impulsivity Scale (IS) is:

Impulsivity Assessment:
To provide a quantitative measurement of an individual’s impulsivity across various life domains.
Diagnosis and Treatment:
To support the diagnosis of disorders associated with impulsivity and to guide intervention and rehabilitation.
Behavioral Understanding:
To offer insight into how impulsivity affects daily life and social interactions.

Scoring

Scoring for the IS includes:

Total Score:
Calculated based on responses to the items using a Likert-type scale. Higher scores indicate higher levels of impulsivity.
Impulsivity Categories:
Scores are categorized into levels such as mild, moderate, and severe impulsivity for better understanding of symptom severity.

References

Barratt, E. S. (1994). Barratt Impulsiveness Scale. In G. L. Strub & J. M. Schlessinger (Eds.), Advances in Psychological Assessment (pp. 147–155). Springer.
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.
Moeller, F. G., Barratt, E. S., & Dougherty, D. M. (2001). Psychiatric Aspects of Impulsivity. In M. L. McGuffin (Ed.), Advances in Neuropsychopharmacology (pp. 205–220). Academic Press.