UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale – UPPS-P
Measures five distinct personality facets of impulsivity: negative urgency, positive urgency, lack of premeditation, lack of perseverance, and sensation seeking.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale – UPPS-P was developed by Whiteside, S. P., Lynam, D. R., Cyders, M. A., Smith, G. T., Spillane, N. S., Fischer, S., Annus, A. M., & Peterson, C. (2007). It is designed to measure Impulsivity. The scale is intended for use with Adults and adolescents.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 59 items organized into 5 factors/subscales: Negative Urgency, Positive Urgency, Lack of Premeditation, Lack of Perseverance, Sensation Seeking.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Negative Urgency | 2,7,12,17,22,29,34,39,44,51,54,58 | 12 |
| Positive Urgency | 5,10,15,20,25,30,35,40,45,50,53,55,57,59 | 14 |
| Lack of Premeditation | 1,6,11,16,21,28,33,38,43,48,49 | 11 |
| Lack of Perseverance | 4,9,14,19,24,27,32,37,42,47 | 10 |
| Sensation Seeking | 3,8,13,18,23,26,31,36,41,46,52,56 | 12 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 1 = Agree Strongly, 2 = Agree Somewhat, 3 = Disagree Somewhat, 4 = Disagree Strongly.
The scale includes 20 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 4. Interpretation guidelines:
- Low Impulsivity: 1 – 2
- Moderate Impulsivity: 2 – 3
- High Impulsivity: 3 – 4
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.