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The Personal Behavior Inventory
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About Scale Name
Scale Name
The Personal Behavior Inventory
Author Details
Barry Collins and his colleagues
Translation Availability
Not Sure
Background/Description
Barry Collins, a UCLA psychologist, and his colleagues sought to explore the complexity of the internal-external dimension, a concept previously introduced by psychologist Julian Rotter. They developed the Personal Behavior Inventory test to further examine their ideas. The test revealed that there are four dimensions relevant to how individuals perceive the world.
The first dimension, called Other-Direction, pertains to individuals who feel pressured to conform to the expectations of others. Such people have low self-esteem and experience anxiety when they think about doing or saying anything that might displease those around them. Consequently, they feel powerless to control the direction of their lives.
The second dimension is Inner-Direction, which refers to individuals with an inner plan or psychological gyroscope guiding their behavior. These individuals have a clear sense of the direction they want their lives to take, similar to Rotter’s internals. They also believe that they have the resources to achieve their goals.
Lack of Constraints is the third dimension, referring to individuals who are creative and free spirits. Those who score high on this scale may be self-actualized as they have the flexibility to adapt to various situations. However, skeptics argue that such individuals lack a sense of appropriateness or concern for what is appropriate. Scores in the 50th to 70th percentile range are desirable, providing the necessary flexibility to adapt while maintaining a psychological gyroscope.
Finally, the fourth dimension is Predictability of Behavior, including one’s behavior and that of others. Individuals who score high on this scale have more confidence in their ability to make sense of the world. Whether they are outer- or inner-directed, they believe their lives are understandable, hence safe. Those with low scores tend to view life as chaotic and dangerous, struggling to feel confident about their actions’ consequences.
Collins found that the four dimensions were independent, unlike Rotter’s test suggesting one was either internal or external. One person could have high scores on both Inner- and Other-Direction subscales, while Lack of Constraints and Predictability of Behavior subscales were independent of the other subscales as well. Further research is needed to clarify the implications of potential profiles.
However, a profile indicating the highest degree of adjustment would likely have a low score on the Other-Direction subscale, high scores on Inner-Direction and Predictability of Behavior subscales, and moderately high scores on Lack of Constraints subscale. Such individuals would not be swayed by others’ expectations, have confidence in their efforts making a difference, and perceive the world as a safe, predictable place. They would also be free from external or internal constraints, allowing them to be spontaneous and creative when appropriate. While Collins found this fascinating, he admits he wishes he fit this ideal profile more closely.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
Barry Collins and his colleagues developed the 29-item Personal Behavior Inventory (PBI) to assess both internal and external locus of control, as well as related constructs like self-efficacy and responsibility. The administration and scoring process is relatively straightforward.
To administer the PBI, respondents are given a questionnaire consisting of 29 items that describe particular behaviors or attitudes. Respondents rate how often they engage in each behavior or hold each attitude on a 6-point scale ranging from “never” to “always.”
Once completed, scores for each item are summed to create a total score for internal and external locus of control. The internal locus of control score is calculated by summing scores for items 1-15, while external locus of control score is calculated by summing scores for items 16-29. Scores range from 29 to 174, where 102 indicates a neutral/balanced locus of control, and higher/lower scores indicate a stronger internal/external locus of control.
The advantage of the PBI is its quick and easy administration and scoring, making it valuable for research and clinical settings. However, similar to self-report measures, the PBI is subject to biases and limitations like social desirability bias and response style bias.
Reliability and Validity
Reliability refers to the consistency of the results obtained from the PBI. Internal consistency is one aspect of reliability that has been assessed, and it measures how well the different items on the PBI relate to each other. Research studies have found that the PBI has good internal consistency, with Cronbach’s alpha coefficients ranging from 0.75 to 0.89.
Validity refers to whether the PBI measures what it is intended to measure. Construct validity is one aspect of validity that has been assessed, and it measures whether the PBI actually measures locus of control as intended. Research studies have found that the PBI has good construct validity, as it has been shown to be related to other measures of locus of control and related constructs, such as self-efficacy and responsibility.
Available Versions
29-Items
Reference
Collins, B. E., Martin, J. C., Ashmore, R. D., & Ross, L. (1973). Some dimensions of the internal-external metaphor in theories of personality. Journal of Personality, 41(3), 472-492.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PBI?
The PBI is a questionnaire that assesses an individual’s locus of control, or the extent to which they believe they have control over their own life events.
Who developed the PBI?
The PBI was developed by Barry Collins and his colleagues in 1973.
How many items are included in the PBI?
The original version of the PBI consists of 29 items.
What are the response options for the PBI?
Respondents rate each item on a 6-point scale, ranging from strongly disagree to strongly agree.
What is the scoring procedure for the PBI?
The PBI is scored by summing the ratings on the internal and external items separately, and then subtracting the external score from the internal score to yield an overall score that ranges from -28 to 28.
What is the reliability of the PBI?
Research studies have found that the PBI has good internal consistency, with Cronbach’s alpha coefficients ranging from 0.75 to 0.89.
What is the validity of the PBI?
Research studies have found that the PBI has good construct validity and criterion validity, providing evidence for its usefulness as a measure of locus of control and related constructs.
Are there different versions of the PBI available?
Yes, there are shorter versions of the PBI available, including a 15-item version and a 7-item version.
What are some applications of the PBI?
The PBI has been used in various research studies to examine the relationship between locus of control and outcomes such as academic achievement, health behavior, and job satisfaction. It can also be used in clinical settings to assess an individual’s beliefs and attitudes related to control.
Is the PBI appropriate for all populations?
The PBI has been used in diverse populations, including children and adults from various cultural backgrounds. However, it is important to consider potential cultural differences in beliefs about control and to use appropriate translation and adaptation procedures when administering the PBI in non-English speaking populations.
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