Basic Personality Inventory

Introduction: Administration, Scoring

and Interpretation for Hand Scoring

Dale Pietrzak, Ed.D. LPC-MH, CCMHC

BPI Overview

• 240 Items• Counterbalanced True and False Items for

all but the deviation Scale• Easily hand scored in 10 minutes• Good Response Set detection in computer

scored report• Ages 12 through Adult

Seems OK ...

Hand Scoring

• 1 key for the 12 main scales– Total number of marked responses for each half

of each scale• 1 Balanced desirability scale• Total number of True responses for

inventoryI think I can do that!

Adult NormsMarital %Single 16.7Married 67.6Widowed 7.2Divorced 6.8

Age %19-20 3.621-30 26.631-40 22.041-50 14.051-60 15.061-65 8.366+ 10.5

Region %N East 30.6SE & SC 14.8N Central 28.2Pac. & Mtn. 26.4

Occupation %Mang. & Professional 36.4Sales & Adm. Support 33.2Skilled Workers 12.4Service Workers 6.6Semi-Skilled Wrks. 7.2Unskilled Wrks. 3.9

Adolescent Norms

• n = 2210: 880 Males and 1380 Females• Based on pooled samples of 2 Canadian

providences• Stratified Random Sample

– Sex, Age, Rural-urban & Social Class– Only sex showed significant differences

Who cares?

Reliability of BPI: Adult

Hypocondrisis .74 .73 .74Depression .85 .85 .85Denial .67 .63 .65Interpersonal Problems .82 .77 .80Alienation .81 .77 .79Persecutory Ideas .71 .78 .75Anxiety .75 .78 .77Thinking Disorder .64 .71 .68Impulse Expression .78 .78 .78Social Introversion .82 .87 .85Self Depreciation .62 .77 .70Deviation .70 .69 .70

Test-Retest Stability: 1 Month

Holden Kilduff Median

Internal Consistency: Adult

Hypocondrisis .80 .82Depression .83 .86Denial .69 .69Interpersonal Problems .70 .74Alienation .63 .75Persecutory Ideas .74 .81Anxiety .78 .77Thinking Disorder .65 .78Impulse Expression .68 .74Social Introversion .77 .81Self Depreciation .61 .82Deviation .63 .55

Normal PsychiatricKR-20 Alpha

Reliability of BPI: AdolescentKR-20 Internal Consistency

Hypocondrisis .77Depression .80Denial .61Interpersonal Problems .72Alienation .72Persecutory Ideas .73Anxiety .57Thinking Disorder .72Impulse Expression .74Social Introversion .79Self Depreciation .73Deviation .66

Why doI have to

learnthis?

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Standard Error of Measurement

Hypocondrisis 5.1 4.3 4.8Depression 3.9 3.9 4.5Denial 5.9 5.6 6.2Interpersonal Problems 4.5 5.3 5.3Alienation 4.6 5.6 5.3Persecutory Ideas 5.0 4.7 5.2Anxiety 4.8 4.7 6.6Thinking Disorder 5.7 5.3 5.3Impulse Expression 4.7 5.4 5.1Social Introversion 3.9 4.6 4.6Self Depreciation 5.5 5.3 5.2Deviation 5.5 6.4 5.8

Consistency ConsistencyStability Adult Adoles.

Mean: 4.9 4.7 5.3

Basic Interpretation

• Uses linear T-scores• 70 or higher indicates a clinical elevation

– approximately the 97th percentile• 60 to 69 has elements of scale

– approximately the 85th percentile• 50 or less generally has positive aspects of

scale

Interpretation Continued• 65-74 minimal to milder symptoms.• 75 or more moderate to severe symptoms.• May have “normal” people score in clinical

ranges.– Need to know history.– Need to be able to abstract more “normal”

displays to very severe displays for each scale– Clinical judgment is required

BPI Response Set Detection

• Balanced Desirability (Adult)– 19 or more Fake Good– 8 or less Fake Bad

• Total Number of True Responses (Adult)– 153 or more “True” response set– 77 or less “False” response set

• Denial Scale over 70 with lower scores on other scales– Denial of Symptoms

BPI Response Set Detection

• Deviation over 70 with other scales high– Infrequent symptom pattern

• Random raw scores of 10 2 on almost all scales

• Hand scored infrequency and consistency scales under construction

Admit it !

Content CategoriesA. Social Deviation/Inadequate Socialization

- Interpersonal Problems- Alienation- Impulse Expression

B. Mood Personal/Emotional Adjustment- Depression- Anxiety- Hypochondriasis

C. Cognitive Functioning- Thinking Disorder- Persecutory Ideas

D. Self-Perception & Sociability- Self Depreciation- Social Introversion

Correctional Scales

E. Critical Deviant Behaviors- Deviation

F. Guardedness- Denial

Higher Order Factor Scales• Psychiatric Symptomology

– Hypochondriasis, Persecutory Ideas, Anxiety, Thinking Disorder and Deviation

• Social Symptomology– Interpersonal Problems, Alienation, Persecutory

Ideas, Impulse Expression and Deviation• Depression

– Depression, Self-Depreciation & Social Introversion

HypochondriasisIntended: Identify those with physical symptoms which areeither

caused psychologically, or exaggerated psychologically.

70+Frequently concerned about being ill. Complains regularly ofpeculiar pains or bodily dysfunctions. Discusses such topicsfrequently, revealing a preoccupation with such complaints.

60-69Many with real physical conditions score in this range.

Less than 50Is without excessive bodily concern or preoccupation with physical complaints. Absenteeism due to illness is belowaverage.

Depression

Intended: To identify those who have the cognitive, affective and some physical symptoms of depression.

49 or lessreports a usual feeling of confidence, cheerfulness, andpersistence, even when experiencing disappointment. Has anoptimistic 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.

DenialIntended: To identify those who are guarded or denying symptoms.

Less than 50Accepts feelings as part of self. Is not afraid to discuss unpleasanttopics. Can answer questions about self frankly; avoids impressionmanagement. 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 ProblemsIntended: To identify those who have difficulty getting along

with others. Especially due to irritability and oppositional styles.

49 or lessReasonably cooperative. Experiences less than average irritationfrom their environment and others. Handles noises, interruptions, changes in routine, disappointments, others mistakes and authority reasonably well. Prefers clearly defined rules andregulations; able to handle criticism.

70+Is often extremely annoyed by little inconveniences, frustrations, ordisappointments; 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 50Ordinarily displays socially acceptable ethical attitudes and is socially responsible. Reports feeling a sense of obligationtoward 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/illegaland untrustworthy manner; feels little or no guilt about behavior.

Persecutory IdeasIntended: To identify those who have paranoid ideation.

49 or lessTrust others and does not feel threatened. Accepts responsibilityfor the events in life and does not attribute maliciousness to others.

70+Believes that certain people are hostile and are trying to makelife difficult and/or unpleasant. Inclined to brood. Distrusts others.

AnxietyIntended: To identify those who have the cognitive and

affective symptoms of anxiety. Emotional reactivity.

Less than 50Remains calm, unruffled and not worried even when confrontedby unexpected occurrences. Takes things as they come withoutfear or apprehension. Maintains personal control even in crisissituations.

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 lessHas no difficulty with reality testing. Has no difficulty distinguishing daydreams from reality. Is able to concentrate andmaintain sensible conversations.

70+Is markedly confused, distractible and cognitively disorganized.cannot remember simple things from day to day. reports feelingthat life is dream-like, and that there is a marked difference between self and others (sees self as different from others-odd).

Impulse ExpressionIntended: To identify impulsive, hedonistic minded responses.

Sensation seeking and risky behaviors.

Less than 50Appears to be even-tempered and level headed; considers thefuture and consequences before acting; generally has thepatience to cope with lengthy and tedious tasks. Persistence.

70+Lacks the ability to think beyond the present and consider theconsequences of action; is prone to undertake risky and reckless actions; inclined to behave irresponsibly; finds routine tasks boring.

Social IntroversionIntended: To identify people who avoid others either due to

disinterest, fear or withdrawal.

49 or lessEnjoys 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 orasocial activities.

Self Depreciation

Less than 50Manifests a high degree or self-assurance in dealing with others. Not afraid to meet strangers; speaks with confidence about avariety of topics; believes in own abilities and that he/she can accomplish things.

Intended: To identify those who are negative and/or self- depreciating. Poor self-esteem.

70+Degrades self as being worthless, unpleasant, and undeserving. Generally expresses a low opinion of self and refuses credit forany accomplishment.

DeviationIntended: To identify unusual response styles and behavior

patterns which are very pathological.

49 or lessGenerally shows behavior patterns similar to those of a majorityof 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.”

Empirical Scale Combinations: Adults

• Hallucinations:– Thinking Disorder with Persecutory Ideas (lower

depression)• Delusions:

– Persecutory Ideas with Alienation and Thinking Disorders (lower depression)

• Mania:– Impulse Expression with Denial &

Hypochondrias

E-Scale Combinations Con’t• Depression:

– Depression with Self Depreciation and Anxiety• Anxiety:

– Anxiety with Depression and Hypochondrias (lower Alienation)

• Somatic Complaints:– Depression, Hypochondrias and self-

depreciation with Anxiety and Persecutory Ideas

E-Scale Combinations Con’t

• Insomnia– Social Introversion with Self Depreciation and

lower Alienation• Anorexia

– Lower Alienation and Interpersonal Problems with lower Thinking Disorder and Lower Persecutory Ideas

E-Scale Combinations Con’t

• Assaultive Behavior– Interpersonal Problems with

Alienation and Persecutory Ideas• Alcoholism (In Treatment)

– Moderate elevations on Interpersonal Problems, Hypochondrias, depression, Alienation, Social Introversion (Lower Denial)

E-Scale Combinations Con’t• Drug Abuse (In Treatment)

– Alienation, Interpersonal Problems and Deviation (Impulse Expression) with Lower Denial

• Suicidal Behavior– Depression with Deviation, Self depreciation,

Anxiety and Social Introversion• Neuroticism

– Hypochondrias, Anxiety, Social Introversion

Empirical Patterns: Adolescents• Pattern 1: Mental Health Difficulties

– Depression, Anxiety, Self depreciation and Deviation

• Higher the elevation the worse adjusted

• Pattern 2: Interpersonal Maladjustment– Interpersonal Problems, Persecutory Ideas, and

Impulse Expression• Rebellious and anti-establishment (More

oppositional)

Adolescent Patterns Continued

• Pattern 3: Antisocial Delinquency– Alienation, Interpersonal Problems and Impulse

Expression• Pattern 4: Defensive Denial (offenders)

– Denial other normal to low– Females Persecutory Ideas common-indicates

feeling unfairly treated

Leave me alone!

Adolescent Patterns Continued

• Pattern 5: Performance Anxiety resulting in Somatic Complaints (Neurotic)– Hypochondrias, Anxiety, and Social

Introversion• Pattern 6: High risk Rebelliousness

– Depression, Anxiety, Self Depreciation, Interpersonal Problems, Alienation, Impulse Expression, and Deviation

Scale Defense Mechanisms• Hypochondrias: Repression & Denial• Depression: Rationalization• Denial: Denial & Repression• Interpersonal Problems: Projection,

Blocking• Alienation: Projection, Blocking• Persecutory Ideas: Projection and other

blame

Scale Defense Mechanisms

• Anxiety: Rationalization• Thinking Disorder: Distancing,

Disassociation, Blocking• Impulse Expression: Ignoring,

Rationalization• Social Introversion: Withdrawal, Escape• Self-Depreciation: Self-Blame, Giving up

Other Scale Interactions

• Interpret how the various scales interact with each other

• No established guidelines: Intuitive Clinical Judgment

Interpretation Process

• Investigate Validity and Distortion• Factor Scale Interpretation• Content Category Interpretation• Empirical Patterns• Specific Scale Interpretations & Scale

Interactions

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