Dale Pietrzak, Ed.D.

LPC-MH, CCMHC

Basic Personality Inventory

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
 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
inventory
I think I can do that!
 Adult
Adult Norms
Norms
Marital
Marital %%
Single 16.7 Region
Region %%
Single 16.7
Married 67.6 NNEast
East 30.6
30.6
Age
Age %% Married 67.6
Widowed 7.2 SE
SE&&SC
SC 14.8
14.8
19-20
19-20 3.6
3.6 Widowed 7.2
Divorced 6.8 NNCentral
Central 28.2
28.2
21-30
21-30 26.6
26.6 Divorced 6.8 Pac.
Pac.&
&Mtn.
Mtn. 26.4
26.4
31-40
31-40 22.0
22.0
41-50
41-50 14.0
14.0 Occupation
Occupation %%
51-60
51-60 15.0
15.0 Mang.
Mang.& &Professional
Professional 36.4
36.4
61-65
61-65 8.3
8.3 Sales
Sales& &Adm.
Adm.Support33.2
Support33.2
66+
66+ 10.5
10.5 Skilled
SkilledWorkers
Workers 12.4
12.4
Service
ServiceWorkers
Workers 6.6
6.6
Semi-Skilled
Semi-SkilledWrks.
Wrks. 7.2
7.2
Unskilled
UnskilledWrks.
Wrks. 3.9
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
Test-Retest Stability: 1 Month
Holden Kilduff Median
Hypocondrisis .74 .73 .74
Depression .85 .85 .85
Denial .67 .63 .65
Interpersonal Problems .82 .77 .80
Alienation .81 .77 .79
Persecutory Ideas .71 .78 .75
Anxiety .75 .78 .77
Thinking Disorder .64 .71 .68
Impulse Expression .78 .78 .78
Social Introversion .82 .87 .85
Self Depreciation .62 .77 .70
Deviation .70 .69 .70
 Internal Consistency: Adult
Normal Psychiatric
KR-20 Alpha
Hypocondrisis .80 .82
Depression .83 .86
Denial .69 .69
Interpersonal Problems .70 .74
Alienation .63 .75
Persecutory Ideas .74 .81
Anxiety .78 .77
Thinking Disorder .65 .78
Impulse Expression .68 .74
Social Introversion .77 .81
Self Depreciation .61 .82
Deviation .63 .55
Reliability of BPI: Adolescent
KR-20 Internal Consistency
Hypocondrisis .77
Depression .80
Denial .61
Interpersonal Problems .72
Blah Why do
Alienation .72
Blah I have to
Persecutory Ideas .73
Anxiety .57 learn
Thinking Disorder .72 this?
Impulse Expression .74
Social Introversion .79
Self Depreciation .73
Deviation .66
 Standard Error of Measurement
Consistency Consistency
Stability Adult Adoles.
Hypocondrisis 5.1 4.3 4.8
Depression 3.9 3.9 4.5
Denial 5.9 5.6 6.2
Interpersonal Problems 4.5 5.3 5.3
Alienation 4.6 5.6 5.3
Persecutory Ideas 5.0 4.7 5.2
Anxiety 4.8 4.7 6.6
Thinking Disorder 5.7 5.3 5.3
Impulse Expression 4.7 5.4 5.1
Social Introversion 3.9 4.6 4.6
Self Depreciation 5.5 5.3 5.2
Deviation 5.5 6.4 5.8
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 Categories
A. Social Deviation/Inadequate Socialization
- Interpersonal Problems Correctional
- Alienation Scales
- Impulse Expression
B. Mood Personal/Emotional Adjustment
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Hypochondriasis
C. Cognitive Functioning E. Critical Deviant Behaviors
- Thinking Disorder - Deviation
- Persecutory Ideas F. Guardedness
D. Self-Perception & Sociability - Denial
- Self Depreciation
- Social Introversion
 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
 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.”
Empirical
Empirical Scale
Scale Combinations:
Combinations: Adults
Adults
•• Hallucinations:
Hallucinations:
–– Thinking
Thinking Disorder
Disorderwith
with Persecutory
Persecutory Ideas
Ideas(lower
(lower
depression)
depression)
•• Delusions:
Delusions:
–– Persecutory
Persecutory Ideas
Ideaswith
withAlienation
Alienation and
andThinking
Thinking
Disorders
Disorders(lower
(lower depression)
depression)
•• Mania:
Mania:
–– Impulse
Impulse Expression
Expression with
with Denial
Denial &
&
Hypochondrias
Hypochondrias
 E-Scale
E-Scale Combinations
Combinations Con’t
Con’t
•• Depression:
Depression:
–– Depression
Depression with
with Self
Self Depreciation
Depreciation and
andAnxiety
Anxiety
•• Anxiety:
Anxiety:
–– Anxiety
Anxiety with
with Depression
Depression and
and Hypochondrias
Hypochondrias
(lower
(lowerAlienation)
Alienation)
•• Somatic
Somatic Complaints:
Complaints:
–– Depression,
Depression, Hypochondrias
Hypochondrias and
and self-
self-
depreciation
depreciation with
withAnxiety
Anxiety and
and Persecutory
Persecutory
Ideas
Ideas
 E-Scale
E-Scale Combinations
Combinations Con’t
Con’t

•• Insomnia
Insomnia
–– Social
Social Introversion
Introversion with
with Self
Self Depreciation
Depreciation and
and
lower
lowerAlienation
Alienation
•• Anorexia
Anorexia
–– Lower
LowerAlienation
Alienation and
and Interpersonal
Interpersonal Problems
Problems
with
with lower
lowerThinking
Thinking Disorder
Disorder and
and Lower
Lower
Persecutory
Persecutory Ideas
Ideas
 E-Scale
E-Scale Combinations
Combinations Con’t
Con’t

•• Assaultive
Assaultive Behavior
Behavior
–– Interpersonal
Interpersonal Problems
Problems with
with
Alienation
Alienation and
and Persecutory
Persecutory Ideas
Ideas
•• Alcoholism
Alcoholism (In
(In Treatment)
Treatment)
–– Moderate
Moderate elevations
elevations on
on Interpersonal
Interpersonal Problems,
Problems,
Hypochondrias,
Hypochondrias, depression,
depression,Alienation,
Alienation, Social
Social
Introversion
Introversion (Lower
(Lower Denial)
Denial)
 E-Scale Combinations Con’t
•• Drug
Drug Abuse
Abuse (In
(In Treatment)
Treatment)
–– Alienation,
Alienation, Interpersonal
Interpersonal Problems
Problems and
and
Deviation
Deviation (Impulse
(Impulse Expression)
Expression) with
with Lower
Lower
Denial
Denial
•• Suicidal
Suicidal Behavior
Behavior
–– Depression
Depression with
with Deviation,
Deviation, Self
Self depreciation,
depreciation,
Anxiety
Anxiety and
and Social
Social Introversion
Introversion
•• Neuroticism
Neuroticism
–– Hypochondrias,
Hypochondrias,Anxiety,
Anxiety,Social
Social Introversion
Introversion
 Empirical Patterns: Adolescents
•• Pattern
Pattern 1:
1: Mental
Mental Health
Health Difficulties
Difficulties
–– Depression,
Depression,Anxiety,
Anxiety,Self
Self depreciation
depreciation and
and
Deviation
Deviation
•• Higher
Higherthe
theelevation
elevationthe
theworse
worseadjusted
adjusted
•• Pattern
Pattern 2:
2: Interpersonal
Interpersonal Maladjustment
Maladjustment
–– Interpersonal
Interpersonal Problems,
Problems, Persecutory
Persecutory Ideas,
Ideas, and
and
Impulse
Impulse Expression
Expression
•• Rebellious
Rebelliousand
andanti-establishment
anti-establishment(More
(More
oppositional)
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
Scale Defense
Defense Mechanisms
Mechanisms
•• Hypochondrias:
Hypochondrias: Repression
Repression && Denial
Denial
•• Depression:
Depression: Rationalization
Rationalization
•• Denial:
Denial: Denial
Denial &
& Repression
Repression
•• Interpersonal
Interpersonal Problems:
Problems: Projection,
Projection,
Blocking
Blocking
•• Alienation:
Alienation: Projection,
Projection, Blocking
Blocking
•• Persecutory Ideas:
Persecutory Ideas: Projection
Projection and
and other
other
blame
blame
 Scale Defense Mechanisms
•• Anxiety:
Anxiety: Rationalization
Rationalization
•• Thinking
Thinking Disorder:
Disorder: Distancing,
Distancing,
Disassociation,
Disassociation, Blocking
Blocking
•• Impulse
Impulse Expression:
Expression: Ignoring,
Ignoring,
Rationalization
Rationalization
•• Social
Social Introversion:
Introversion: Withdrawal,
Withdrawal, Escape
Escape
•• Self-Depreciation:
Self-Depreciation: Self-Blame,
Self-Blame, Giving
Giving up
up
 Other
Other Scale
Scale Interactions
Interactions
•• Interpret
Interpret how
how the
the various
various scales
scales interact
interact
with
with each
each other
other
•• No
No established
established guidelines:
guidelines: Intuitive
Intuitive Clinical
Clinical
Judgment
Judgment
 Hum ...

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