The IPIP-CPI is a public-domain, IPIP-built representation of the personality dimensions covered by the California Psychological Inventory (CPI) — a framework built around everyday interpersonal and self-management traits like Dominance, Sociability, Self-control, Responsibility, and Tolerance, rather than the abstract Big Five domains. It measures 33 separate facets, from Competence and Insight to Politeness and Temperance, so instead of one overall score you get a broad profile of how you tend to interact with others, manage yourself, and handle everyday situations. Taking it gives you a practical, socially-oriented personality snapshot that complements a Big Five profile rather than duplicating it.
Instrument Specifications
Target Population
Adults
Administration Format
Self-Administered
Intended Domain / Purpose
Research & Empirical Study
Recommended Age Bracket
18+
Duration & Pacing
35 Minutes (Self-Paced)
Access License
Open Creative Commons
Academic Citation & Instrument Provenance
When referencing this instrument in research, academic theses, or clinical institutional audits, please cite the original author publication:
License: Public Domain (International Personality Item Pool, ipip.ori.org), representing constructs from the California Psychological Inventory. Citation: Gough, H. G. (1987). California Psychological Inventory administrator's guide. Consulting Psychologists Press. This is not a diagnostic tool and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the publisher of the original CPI instrument. Facet scores reflect this test's own item pool only — they are not compared against a published clinical or population norm; no such norm has been entered for this instrument.
Governance, Boundaries & Ethical Use
Construct Boundaries & Interpretive Limitations
This is a 313-item self-report inventory covering 33 separate facets; individual facet scores are based on 5 to 12 items each, so shorter facets are less precise than longer ones. Results reflect how you currently see yourself, not an objective or clinical evaluation of personality.
License: Public Domain (International Personality Item Pool, ipip.ori.org), representing constructs from the California Psychological Inventory. Citation: Gough, H. G. (1987). California Psychological Inventory administrator's guide. Consulting Psychologists Press. This is not a diagnostic tool and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the publisher of the original CPI instrument. Facet scores reflect this test's own item pool only — they are not compared against a published clinical or population norm; no such norm has been entered for this instrument.
