Protocol - Aggression and Hostility
- Behavioral Health Screener
- Disruptive Behavior
- Emotional State - Adult
- Emotional State - Child
- Temperament - Adolescent
- Temperament - Adult
- Temperament - Child
- Temperament - Early Childhood
- Temperament - Infant
Description
The Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ) consists of 29 self-administered items rated on a 5-point Likert scale. The BPAQ includes four subscales: Physical Aggression (items 1-9), Verbal Aggression (items 10-14), Anger (items 15-21), and Hostility (items 22-29.)
The score for each scale is the sum or the ratings for its items. The two items (7 and 18) worded in the direction opposite to aggression are reverse-scored. The total score for aggression is the sum of these scale scores. Higher scores indicate higher aggressive behavior.
Specific Instructions
The authors (Buss & Perry, 1992) recommend that investigators "scramble the items so that items from any one factor do not pile up."
Availability
Protocol
Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire
Please rate each of the following items in terms of how characteristic they are of you.
1. Once in a while I can’t control the urge to strike another person.
1[ ]Extremely uncharacteristic
2[ ]Somewhat uncharacteristic
3[ ]Neither uncharacteristic nor characteristic
4[ ]Somewhat characteristic
5[ ]Extremely characteristic
2. Given enough provocation, I may hit another person.
1[ ]Extremely uncharacteristic
2[ ]Somewhat uncharacteristic
3[ ]Neither uncharacteristic nor characteristic
4[ ]Somewhat characteristic
5[ ]Extremely characteristic
3. If somebody hits me, I hit back.
1[ ]Extremely uncharacteristic
2[ ]Somewhat uncharacteristic
3[ ]Neither uncharacteristic nor characteristic
4[ ]Somewhat characteristic
5[ ]Extremely characteristic
4. I get into fights a little more than the average person.
1[ ]Extremely uncharacteristic
2[ ]Somewhat uncharacteristic
3[ ]Neither uncharacteristic nor characteristic
4[ ]Somewhat characteristic
5[ ]Extremely characteristic
5. If I have to resort to violence to protect my rights, I will.
1[ ]Extremely uncharacteristic
2[ ]Somewhat uncharacteristic
3[ ]Neither uncharacteristic nor characteristic
4[ ]Somewhat characteristic
5[ ]Extremely characteristic
6. There are people who pushed me so far that we came to blows.
1[ ]Extremely uncharacteristic
2[ ]Somewhat uncharacteristic
3[ ]Neither uncharacteristic nor characteristic
4[ ]Somewhat characteristic
5[ ]Extremely characteristic
7. I can think of no good reason for ever hitting a person (R).
1[ ]Extremely uncharacteristic
2[ ]Somewhat uncharacteristic
3[ ]Neither uncharacteristic nor characteristic
4[ ]Somewhat characteristic
5[ ]Extremely characteristic
8. I have threatened people I know.
1[ ]Extremely uncharacteristic
2[ ]Somewhat uncharacteristic
3[ ]Neither uncharacteristic nor characteristic
4[ ]Somewhat characteristic
5[ ]Extremely characteristic
9. I have become so mad that I have broken things.
1[ ]Extremely uncharacteristic
2[ ]Somewhat uncharacteristic
3[ ]Neither uncharacteristic nor characteristic
4[ ]Somewhat characteristic
5[ ]Extremely characteristic
10. I tell my friends openly when I disagree with them.
1[ ]Extremely uncharacteristic
2[ ]Somewhat uncharacteristic
3[ ]Neither uncharacteristic nor characteristic
4[ ]Somewhat characteristic
5[ ]Extremely characteristic
11. I often find myself disagreeing with people.
1[ ]Extremely uncharacteristic
2[ ]Somewhat uncharacteristic
3[ ]Neither uncharacteristic nor characteristic
4[ ]Somewhat characteristic
5[ ]Extremely characteristic
12. When people annoy me, I may tell them what I think of them.
1[ ]Extremely uncharacteristic
2[ ]Somewhat uncharacteristic
3[ ]Neither uncharacteristic nor characteristic
4[ ]Somewhat characteristic
5[ ]Extremely characteristic
13. I can’t help getting into arguments when people disagree with me.
1[ ]Extremely uncharacteristic
2[ ]Somewhat uncharacteristic
3[ ]Neither uncharacteristic nor characteristic
4[ ]Somewhat characteristic
5[ ]Extremely characteristic
14. My friends say that I’m somewhat argumentative.
1[ ]Extremely uncharacteristic
2[ ]Somewhat uncharacteristic
3[ ]Neither uncharacteristic nor characteristic
4[ ]Somewhat characteristic
5[ ]Extremely characteristic
15. I flare up quickly but get over it quickly.
1[ ]Extremely uncharacteristic
2[ ]Somewhat uncharacteristic
3[ ]Neither uncharacteristic nor characteristic
4[ ]Somewhat characteristic
5[ ]Extremely characteristic
16. When frustrated, I let my irritation show.
1[ ]Extremely uncharacteristic
2[ ]Somewhat uncharacteristic
3[ ]Neither uncharacteristic nor characteristic
4[ ]Somewhat characteristic
5[ ]Extremely characteristic
17. I sometimes feel like a powder keg ready to explode.
1[ ]Extremely uncharacteristic
2[ ]Somewhat uncharacteristic
3[ ]Neither uncharacteristic nor characteristic
4[ ]Somewhat characteristic
5[ ]Extremely characteristic
18. I am an even-tempered person (R).
1[ ]Extremely uncharacteristic
2[ ]Somewhat uncharacteristic
3[ ]Neither uncharacteristic nor characteristic
4[ ]Somewhat characteristic
5[ ]Extremely characteristic
19. Some of my friends think I’m a hothead.
1[ ]Extremely uncharacteristic
2[ ]Somewhat uncharacteristic
3[ ]Neither uncharacteristic nor characteristic
4[ ]Somewhat characteristic
5[ ]Extremely characteristic
20. Sometimes I fly off the handle for no good reason.
1[ ]Extremely uncharacteristic
2[ ]Somewhat uncharacteristic
3[ ]Neither uncharacteristic nor characteristic
4[ ]Somewhat characteristic
5[ ]Extremely characteristic
21. I have trouble controlling my temper.
1[ ]Extremely uncharacteristic
2[ ]Somewhat uncharacteristic
3[ ]Neither uncharacteristic nor characteristic
4[ ]Somewhat characteristic
5[ ]Extremely characteristic
22. I am sometimes eaten up with jealousy.
1[ ]Extremely uncharacteristic
2[ ]Somewhat uncharacteristic
3[ ]Neither uncharacteristic nor characteristic
4[ ]Somewhat characteristic
5[ ]Extremely characteristic
23. At times I feel I have gotten a raw deal out of life.
1[ ]Extremely uncharacteristic
2[ ]Somewhat uncharacteristic
3[ ]Neither uncharacteristic nor characteristic
4[ ]Somewhat characteristic
5[ ]Extremely characteristic
24. Other people always seem to get the breaks.
1[ ]Extremely uncharacteristic
2[ ]Somewhat uncharacteristic
3[ ]Neither uncharacteristic nor characteristic
4[ ]Somewhat characteristic
5[ ]Extremely characteristic
25. I wonder why sometimes I feel so bitter about things.
1[ ]Extremely uncharacteristic
2[ ]Somewhat uncharacteristic
3[ ]Neither uncharacteristic nor characteristic
4[ ]Somewhat characteristic
5[ ]Extremely characteristic
26. I know that "friends" talk about me behind my back.
1[ ]Extremely uncharacteristic
2[ ]Somewhat uncharacteristic
3[ ]Neither uncharacteristic nor characteristic
4[ ]Somewhat characteristic
5[ ]Extremely characteristic
27. I am suspicious of overly friendly strangers.
1[ ]Extremely uncharacteristic
2[ ]Somewhat uncharacteristic
3[ ]Neither uncharacteristic nor characteristic
4[ ]Somewhat characteristic
5[ ]Extremely characteristic
28. I sometimes feel that people are laughing at me behind me back.
1[ ]Extremely uncharacteristic
2[ ]Somewhat uncharacteristic
3[ ]Neither uncharacteristic nor characteristic
4[ ]Somewhat characteristic
5[ ]Extremely characteristic
29. When people are especially nice, I wonder what they want.
1[ ]Extremely uncharacteristic
2[ ]Somewhat uncharacteristic
3[ ]Neither uncharacteristic nor characteristic
4[ ]Somewhat characteristic
5[ ]Extremely characteristic
Scoring:
Physical Aggression subscale: items 1-9.
Verbal Aggression subscale: items 10-14.
Anger subscale: items 15-21.
Hostility subscale: items 22-29.
The score for each scale is the sum or the ratings for its items. The two items (7 and 18) worded in the direction opposite to aggression are reverse-scored. The total score for aggression is the sum of these scale scores. Higher scores indicate higher aggressive behavior.
Personnel and Training Required
None
Equipment Needs
None
Requirements
| Requirement Category | Required |
|---|---|
| Major equipment | No |
| Specialized training | No |
| Specialized requirements for biospecimen collection | No |
| Average time of greater than 15 minutes in an unaffected individual | No |
Mode of Administration
Self-administered questionnaire
Lifestage
Adolescent, Adult
Participants
Adolescents and adults, ages 12 and older
Selection Rationale
The Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ) is a widely used, low-burden questionnaire that is considered as the gold standard measurement of aggression. The BPAQ has internal and test-retest reliability, strong convergent validity, and is appropriate for both adolescents and adults. The BPAQ is a revision of the Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory, which was a widely used, well-validated aggression questionnaire.
Language
English
Standards
| Standard | Name | ID | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human Phenotype Ontology | Aggressive Behavior | HP:0000718 | HPO |
| Human Phenotype Ontology | Hostility | HP:0031473 | HPO |
| caDSR Form | PhenX PX640701 - Agression And Hostility | 6234052 | caDSR Form |
Derived Variables
None
Process and Review
Not applicable.
Protocol Name from Source
The Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ)
Source
Buss, A. H., & Perry, M. (1992). The Aggression Questionnaire. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 63(3), 452-459.
General References
Bridge, J. A., McBee-Strayer, S. M., Cannon, E. A., Sheftall, A. H., Reynolds, B., Campo, J. V., Pajer, K. A., Barbe, R. P., & Brent, D. A. (2012). Impaired decision-making in adolescent suicide attempters. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 51(4), 394-403.
Doihara, C., Kawanishi. C., Yamada, T., Sato, R., Hasegawa, H., Furuno, T., Nakagawa, M., & Hirayasu Y. (2008). Trait aggression in suicide attempters: A pilot study. Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, 62(3), 352-354.
Dougherty, D. M., Mathias, C. W., Marsh, D. M., Papageorgiou, T. D., Swann, A. C., & Moeller, G. F. (2004). Laboratory measured behavioral impulsivity relates to suicide attempt history. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior 34(4), 374-385.
Gerevich, J., Bacskal, E., & Czobor, P. (2007). The generalizability of the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire. International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research 16(3), 124-136.
Protocol ID
640701
Variables
Export Variables| Variable Name | Variable ID | Variable Description | dbGaP Mapping | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PX640701_Aggression_Arguments_Disagree | ||||
| PX640701011300 | I can't help getting into arguments when more | N/A | ||
| PX640701_Aggression_Get_Into_Fights | ||||
| PX640701010400 | I get into fights a little more than the more | N/A | ||
| PX640701_Aggression_Hit_Back | ||||
| PX640701010300 | If somebody hits me, I hit back. | N/A | ||
| PX640701_Aggression_Mad_Broken_Things | ||||
| PX640701010900 | I have become so mad that I have broken things. | N/A | ||
| PX640701_Aggression_No_Reason_ToHIt | ||||
| PX640701010700 | I can think of no good reason for ever more | N/A | ||
| PX640701_Aggression_Often_Disagreeeing | ||||
| PX640701011100 | I often find myself disagreeing with people. | N/A | ||
| PX640701_Aggression_Openly_Disagree | ||||
| PX640701011000 | I tell my friends openly when I disagree more | N/A | ||
| PX640701_Aggression_Provocation_Hit | ||||
| PX640701010200 | Given enough provocation, I may hit another more | N/A | ||
| PX640701_Aggression_Pushed_To_Blows | ||||
| PX640701010600 | There are people who pushed me so far that more | N/A | ||
| PX640701_Aggression_Resort_ToViolence | ||||
| PX640701010500 | If I have to resort to violence to protect more | N/A | ||
| PX640701_Aggression_Score | ||||
| PX640701013000 | Physical Aggression subscale: items more | N/A | ||
| PX640701_Aggression_Tell_What_Ithink | ||||
| PX640701011200 | When people annoy me, I may tell them what I more | N/A | ||
| PX640701_Aggression_Threatened_People | ||||
| PX640701010800 | I have threatened people I know. | N/A | ||
| PX640701_Aggression_Urge_ToStrike | ||||
| PX640701010100 | Once in a while I can't control the urge to more | N/A | ||
| PX640701_Anger_Argumentative | ||||
| PX640701011400 | My friends say that I'm somewhat argumentative. | N/A | ||
| PX640701_Anger_Even_Tempered | ||||
| PX640701011800 | I am an even-tempered person ® | N/A | ||
| PX640701_Anger_Feel_Ready_ToExplode | ||||
| PX640701011700 | I sometimes feel like a powder keg ready to more | N/A | ||
| PX640701_Anger_Flare_Up_Quickly | ||||
| PX640701011500 | I flare up quickly but get over it quickly. | N/A | ||
| PX640701_Anger_Fly_Off_Handle | ||||
| PX640701012000 | Sometimes I fly off the handle for no good reason. | N/A | ||
| PX640701_Anger_Frustrated_Show_Irritation | ||||
| PX640701011600 | When frustrated, I let my irritation show. | N/A | ||
| PX640701_Anger_Hothead | ||||
| PX640701011900 | Some of my friends think I'm a hothead. | N/A | ||
| PX640701_HostilityBitter | ||||
| PX640701012500 | I wonder why sometimes I feel so bitter more | N/A | ||
| PX640701_Hostility_Friends_Talk_AboutMe | ||||
| PX640701012600 | I know that friends talk about me behind my back. | N/A | ||
| PX640701_Hostility_Others_Get_Breaks | ||||
| PX640701012400 | Other people always seem to get the breaks. | N/A | ||
| PX640701_Hostility_People_Laughing_AtMe | ||||
| PX640701012800 | I sometimes feel that people are laughing at more | N/A | ||
| PX640701_Hostility_People_Nice_Iwonder | ||||
| PX640701012900 | When people are especially nice, I wonder more | N/A | ||
| PX640701_Hostility_Raw_Deal_OfLife | ||||
| PX640701012300 | At times I feel I have gotten a raw deal out more | N/A | ||
| PX640701_Hostility_Sometimes_Jealous | ||||
| PX640701012200 | I am sometimes eaten up with jealousy. | N/A | ||
| PX640701_Hostility_Suspicious_Of_Strangers | ||||
| PX640701012700 | I am suspicious of overly friendly strangers. | N/A | ||
| PX640701_Hostility_Trouble_Controlling_Temper | ||||
| PX640701012100 | I have trouble controlling my temper. | N/A | ||
Measure Name
Aggression and Hostility
Release Date
November 21, 2014
Definition
A questionnaire that measures the personality trait of aggression.
Purpose
Aggression is a multifaceted construct reflecting a range of verbal, emotional, and physical behaviors that can result in physical or psychological harm, typically consisting of expressions of anger or hostility, assertions of dominance, and/or intimidation. Aggression is related to suicidal behavior and may be useful for distinguishing attempters from nonattempters. Aggression is also a risk factor for crime, violence, and substance abuse.
Keywords
aggression, Hostility, violence, Temper, anger, Verbal aggression, Physical aggression
Measure Protocols
| Protocol ID | Protocol Name |
|---|---|
| 640701 | Aggression and Hostility |
Publications
Pink, J., et al. (2022) Refining the relationship between psychopathy, aggression, and rule-breaking by gender: A comparison of the triarchic and septarchic models of psychopathy. Personality and Individual Differences. 2022 February; 185: 111282. doi: 10.1016/j.paid.2021.111282
Goodman, M., et al. (2020) Group (?Project Life Force?) versus individual suicide safety planning: A randomized clinical trial. Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications. 2020 January; 17: 100520. doi: 10.1016/j.conctc.2020.100520