Body Comparison Scale – BCS
Measures the frequency with which individuals compare specific body parts and physical features to those of others.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Body Comparison Scale – BCS was developed by E. Fisher, M. Dunn, & J. Kevin Thompson (2002). It is designed to measure Body comparison processes. The scale is intended for use with Adults and adolescents.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 25 items organized into 4 factors/subscales: General Appearance (Non-Weight, Non-Muscular), Muscular, Weight, Overall Shape and Muscle Tone.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| General Appearance (Non-Weight, Non-Muscular) | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 | 9 |
| Muscular | 10,11,12,13,14,15 | 6 |
| Weight | 16,17,18,19,20 | 5 |
| Overall Shape and Muscle Tone | 21,22,23,24,25 | 5 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 1 = Never, 2 = Rarely, 3 = Sometimes, 4 = Often, 5 = Always.
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Total scores range from 25 to 125. Interpretation guidelines:
- Low Body Comparison Tendency: 25 – 58
- Moderate Body Comparison Tendency: 59 – 92
- High Body Comparison Tendency: 93 – 125
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of High internal consistency (typically alpha > .90).
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 5 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.