The Barratt Impulsiveness Scale: An examination of autonomic, neuropsychological, laboratory function

Impulsiveness is an important personality dimension because of its consequences in terms of social function, public health and clinical realms. The Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) is the most widely administered self-report measures of this aspect of personality. The current design is concerned with further validation of the BIS-11 using other self-report, autonomic, neuropsychological and laboratory measure among normal and high impulsive college students. Persons scoring high on the BIS-11 also scored high on some (i.e. the I7) but not all (i.e. BIS/BAS Scales) more self-report measures of impulsiveness. The BIS-11 was not however, related to scores on the Arousal Predisposition Scale despite theory and ANS indication of arousal differences. Physiological measures indicated that the high impulsive subjects were underaroused at rest and this underarousal persisted even under moderately stimulating conditions. Despite these arousal differences there were very few significant group effects on traditional neuropsychological and laboratory measures. These findings are discussed within the larger context of impulsiveness and personality theory.