Searchable Inventory of Instruments
Assessing Violent Behavior and Related Constructs in Children and Adolescents


Behavior Assessment System for Children

General Information

The Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC) is a coordinated system of instruments that evaluates the behaviors, thoughts, and emotions of children and adolescents. It focuses on assessing both adaptive and maladaptive behaviors. The BASC consists of 5 components: a self-report scale; a teacher rating scale; a parent rating scale; a structured developmental history; and a form for the recording and classifying of classroom observation. Information below pertains to the self rating scale for ages 6-11. General population norms are included. This scale measures adaptive and problem behaviors in school, home and community settings.

Number of Versions: 8
Version: Self-Report (ages 6-11)
Author(s): Cecil R. Reynolds, Randy W. Kamphaus
Date of Publication: 1992
Material(s) Needed for Test: Instrument
Manual: Available
Time to Administer: 35 minutes
Charge for one form or kit:  Yes

Purpose and Nature of Test

Construct(s) Measured:
Aggression
Population for which designed:
Age Range: 6 through 11 years old
Method of Administration: Group and Individual
Source of Information: Self
Subtests and Scores:
Anxiety, Attitude to Teachers, Atypicality, Depression, Locus of Control, Sense of Inadequacy, Social Stress, Interpersonal Relations, Relations with Parents, Self-Esteem, Self-Reliance, School Maladjustment Composite, Clinical Maladjustment Composite, Personal Adjustment Composite, Emotional Symptoms Composite
Number of Items: 130
Type of Scale: Forced choice

Technical Evaluation

Norms: 

Sample Size: 5,413
Population: 8-11 year old children in public schools, private schools, and daycare centers in Western, Northern Central, Southern, and Northeastern U.S.
Culture/ethnicity: African-American, Asian-American, Caucasian, Hispanic/Latino, Native-American, Other
SES Level: Not reported by author(s).

Reliability: 

Psychometric information: Provided for Subscales. 
The range of Test-Retest Value:  0.76 to 0.80
The range of Inter-rater reliability:  Not assessed
The range of Internal consistency:  0.80 to 0.90

Validity: 

 Criterion validity was assessed and found to be acceptable.

Practical Evaluation

Scoring Procedure: Manual and Computer Scoring
Examiner Qualifications and Training Required: Doctoral Degree
Permission Required to Use Instrument: Yes
If yes, by whom: American Guidance Service

Notes

Original Reference(s): Reynolds, C. R., & Kamphaus, R. W. (1992). Behavior Assessment System for Children: Manual. Circle Pines, MN: American Guidance.
Other Reference(s): Sandoval, J., & Echandia, A. (1994). Behavior Assessment System for Children. Journal of School Psychology, 32 (4), 419-425.
 Reviewed in the Buros Institute, Mental Measurements Yearbook. http://www.unl.edu/buros/

Contact

Organization: American Guidance Service
Address: 4201 Woodland Road
City: Circle Pines
State: MN
Zip: 55014-1796
Phone: (800) 328-2560
Fax: (800) 471-8457
E-mail: customerservice@agsnet.com
Website: http://www.agsnet.com/

Last updated by Violence Institute of New Jersey:  February 2007


Violence Institute of New Jersey at UMDNJ