Multidimensional Inventory of Black Identity – MIBI
Measures the three stable dimensions of racial identity (centrality, ideology, and regard) in African American college students and adults.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Multidimensional Inventory of Black Identity – MIBI was developed by Robert M. Sellers, Stephanie J. Rowley, Tabbye M. Chavous, J. Nicole Shelton, & Margaret A. Smith (1997). It is designed to measure Racial Identity. The scale is intended for use with African American college students and adults.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 56 items organized into 7 factors/subscales: Centrality, Private Regard, Public Regard, Assimilation Ideology, Humanist Ideology, Oppressed Minority Ideology, Nationalist Ideology.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Centrality | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 | 8 |
| Private Regard | 9,10,11,12,13,14 | 6 |
| Public Regard | 15,16,17,18,19,20 | 6 |
| Assimilation Ideology | 21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29 | 9 |
| Humanist Ideology | 30,31,32,33,34,35,36,37,38 | 9 |
| Oppressed Minority Ideology | 39,40,41,42,43,44,45,46,47 | 9 |
| Nationalist Ideology | 48,49,50,51,52,53,54,55,56 | 9 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a 7-point Likert scale (1 = Strongly Disagree to 7 = Strongly Agree).
The scale includes 6 reverse-scored items to reduce acquiescence bias.
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Total scores range from 1 to 7. Interpretation guidelines:
- Low Agreement / Centrality / Regard / Ideology endorsement: 1 – 3
- Moderate Agreement / Centrality / Regard / Ideology endorsement: 3 – 5
- High Agreement / Centrality / Regard / Ideology endorsement: 5 – 7
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of Varies by subscale.
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.