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Assessment of Anger and Hostility: A Critical Review

NCJ Number
203844
Journal
Aggression and Violent Behavior Volume: 9 Issue: 1 Dated: January-February 2004 Pages: 17-43
Author(s)
Christopher Eckhardt; Bradley Norlander; Jerry Deffenbacher
Date Published
January 2004
Length
27 pages
Annotation
This article discusses anger and hostility in order to provide a theoretical context from which to evaluate the scope of current measures of these constructs.
Abstract
Some conceptual and theoretical issues relating to anger and hostility are outlined. The focus is on the central components of the hostility and anger constructs, rather than the causes of these affective states. Hostility is regarded as an attitudinal construct. It is defined as a negative attitude toward people that is reflected in an unfavorable judgment of the target. The central features distinctive to the hostility construct involve the cognitive variables of cynicism, mistrust, and denigration. Anger is defined as an emotional state that consists of feelings that vary in intensity. Most methods of measuring anger and hostility are based upon individuals’ endorsement of questionnaire items. Major assessment instruments used for the measurement of anger and hostility are reviewed. The scales discussed are varied widely in their theoretical underpinnings, psychometric quality, and construct validity. While some scales were developed with clear, empirically based definitions and possess excellent psychometric quality, others did not clearly distinguish between the constructs of anger and hostility or had an otherwise suspect empirical basis. It does not appear that most of the instruments reviewed emerged from a clear and consistent theoretical basis. The theoretical problems that exist within the scientific literature on anger and hostility are likely to carry over into similar inconsistencies in attempts to measure these constructs. The scales that stand out as strong instruments are those that have a clear theoretical basis with definable construct boundaries and relatively clear guidelines as to whom and for what purposes they can be used. The STAXI-2, MMPI-2 Anger Content Scale, Aggression Questionnaire, and Novaco Anger Scale distinguish themselves as being theoretically clear and well-normed scales that have a multitude of uses in clinical and research settings. These scales could potentially serve as the backbone of new and much-needed research on the causes, experiences, and consequences associated with essential components of the human experience. 42 references

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