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Balloon Analogue Risk Task

Balloon Analogue Risk Task

What is BART

The BART is a computerized, laboratory-based measure that involves actual risky behavior for which, similar to real-world situations, riskiness is rewarded up until a point at which further riskiness results in poorer outcomes. Lejuez et al. (2002) developed the BART to overcome difficulties inherent in self-report measures of clinical risk taking.

BART Printable PDF

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BART Scoring and Interpretation

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Domain

Risk taking

What does BART measure

The purpose of the evaluation is to:

  • examine risk taking,
  • identify an overall propensity for risk taking,
  • use in combination with paper-and-pencil measures of risk-related constructs to improve the assessment of a broad range of real-world risk behaviors,

and

  • tap unique aspects of risk and thereby contribute to a more comprehensive multimethod assessment of risk taking.

Administration

Self-administered

Type of outcome tool

Cognitive

Assessment modes

Digital task

Age and eligibility

9 years and above

Estimated time

30 to 45 minutes

Notes

One of the instructions of this assessment is, "At the end of the task, you will receive gift certificates in the amount earned in your permanent bank. (Please reach out to the referrer to confirm)." Please inform the client as per your experimental design.

Since the task relies on client self-report, all responses should be verified by the clinician, and a definitive diagnosis is made on clinical grounds taking into account how well the client understood the task, as well as other relevant information from the client.

BART may be used in combination with paper-and-pencil measures of risk-related constructs to improve the assessment of a broad range of real-world risk behaviors (Delinquent Risk Behaviors - alcohol, gambling stealing, Substance Use and Sexual Risk Behaviors - cigarettes and drugs, multiple sex partners, unsafe sex, etc.).

Attribution and References

Lejuez, C. W., Read, J. P., Kahler, C. W., Richards, J. B., Ramsey, S. E., Stuart, G. L., Strong, D. R., & Brown, R. A. (2002). Evaluation of a behavioral measure of risk taking: the Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART). Journal of experimental psychology. Applied, 8(2), 75–84.