Interpersonal Reactivity Index – IRI
A multidimensional measure of dispositional empathy, assessing both cognitive and emotional components.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Interpersonal Reactivity Index – IRI was developed by Mark H. Davis (1980). It is designed to measure Empathy. The scale is intended for use with Adults.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 28 items organized into 4 factors/subscales: Perspective Taking, Fantasy, Empathic Concern, Personal Distress.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Perspective Taking | 3,8,11,15,21,25,28 | 7 |
| Fantasy | 1,5,7,12,16,23,26 | 7 |
| Empathic Concern | 2,4,9,14,18,20,22 | 7 |
| Personal Distress | 6,10,13,17,19,24,27 | 7 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 1 = Does not describe me well, 2 = Describes me slightly well, 3 = Describes me moderately well, 4 = Describes me well, 5 = Describes me very well.
The scale includes 9 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 7 to 35. Interpretation guidelines:
- Low Subscale Score: 7 – 14
- Moderate Subscale Score: 15 – 27
- High Subscale Score: 28 – 35
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of Cronbach's alpha ranges from 0.71 to 0.77 across subscales.
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.