Bricklin Perceptual Scales™ (BPS™)
by Barry Bricklin, Ph.D.

Since its publication in 1984 the BPS has become the premier custody evaluation test in use today.  It has been administered more than 50,000 times, used in all 50 states, and accepted and relied upon by courts throughout the United States and Canada.
 
This unique and efficient data-based test is widely used by professionals who must make decisions regarding child custody. The Bricklin Perceptual Scales (BPS) is designed primarily for children who are at least 6 years old.   The test assesses the child’s perception of his or her parents in four major areas: Competence, Follow-up Consistency, Supportiveness, and Possession of Admirable Personality Traits.
 
The child responds to two sets of parallel questions, 32 pertaining to the mother and 32 to the father. Each question is printed on a separate card. On the back of each card is a response continuum-a long black line with a “Very Well” printed at one end and “Not so Well” at the other. The examiner reads the question, and the child gives a spoken response. The examiner then asks the same question, worded a little differently, and the child answers by punching a hole in the card somewhere along the response continuum. This second response, considered the more important of the two, reflects the child’s nonverbal assessment of the parent in question.
 
BPS results have been validated against the decisions of independent mental health professionals, opinions of courtroom judges, and scores on the Perception-of-Relationships Test.