Brief Self-Control Scale
BSCSPermission: Free for research use. Free for non-commercial academic research, with no licence fee. Cite the original publication.
A 13-item short form measuring trait self-control: the ability to override inner responses and interrupt undesired behavioral tendencies.
Ready-to-cite methods sentence
Citing this in a methods section? See the APA 7 guide (Author–date citations for psychology and the social sciences). Or compare all six citation styles.
Run BSCS in Folio Surveyor
Folio has verified the citation and methods for this scale, not its item wording, so Surveyor cannot add the items for you. It starts a study named for BSCS, with room for its 13 items; you add each item from the published source.
Reliability & validation
Response anchors
Not at all like me · A little like me · Somewhat like me · Mostly like me · Very much like me
Known limitations
Most items are reverse-worded around impulse problems, and the factor structure (one factor vs. separate restraint and impulsivity factors) is debated.
Original citation
Tangney, J. P., Baumeister, R. F., & Boone, A. L. (2004). High self-control predicts good adjustment, less pathology, better grades, and interpersonal success. Journal of Personality, 72(2), 271-324.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0022-3506.2004.00263.xQuestions researchers ask
What does the BSCS measure?
A 13-item short form measuring trait self-control: the ability to override inner responses and interrupt undesired behavioral tendencies.
How many items does the BSCS have?
The Brief Self-Control Scale (BSCS) has 13 items.
Is the BSCS free to use?
The BSCS is free to use for non-commercial academic research. You don't need to pay a license fee, but you should always cite the original publication.
Is the BSCS reliable?
Validation studies report Cronbach's α of 0.83, test–retest reliability of 0.87. See the reliability section for the population studied and full statistics.
Who developed the BSCS, and how do I cite it?
Tangney, J. P., Baumeister, R. F., & Boone, A. L. (2004). High self-control predicts good adjustment, less pathology, better grades, and interpersonal success. Journal of Personality, 72(2), 271-324. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0022-3506.2004.00263.x
Related scales
Library entry verified September 2026. Metadata is provided for reference; item wording is available inside Folio Surveyor, subject to each instrument's licensing.