Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (AGQ)

Abstract

The Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (AGQ), developed by Arnold H. Buss and Robert Perry, is a cornerstone instrument in the field of psychological assessment. This 29-item self-report questionnaire is designed to measure dispositional aggression across four distinct, yet correlated, dimensions: physical aggression, verbal aggression, anger, and hostility. Since its formal introduction in 1992, the AGQ has been recognized for its strong psychometric properties, demonstrating high validity and reliability. Its utility extends across diverse populations, including clinical and non-clinical samples, adults, and adolescents, making it a robust tool for cross-gender and cross-cultural research studies focusing on aggressive tendencies.

Keywords

Aggression Measurement, Dispositional Aggression, Physical Aggression, Verbal Aggression, Anger, Hostility, Psychological Assessment, Psychometrics, Personality Trait.

Authors

Arnold H. Buss, Robert Perry

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Purpose

The central purpose of the AGQ is to provide a comprehensive, multidimensional assessment of an individual’s tendency toward aggressive behavior and the associated underlying emotional and cognitive states. Crucially, the AGQ moved beyond previous monolithic measures of aggression by explicitly distinguishing between the behavioral components (physical and verbal actions) and the internal, affective, and cognitive components (anger and hostility).

This differentiation makes the AGQ an indispensable tool for researchers studying the etiology and structure of aggression. Clinically, it is used to evaluate the efficacy of interventions aimed at reducing specific aggressive manifestations and to monitor changes in aggressive disposition over time in longitudinal studies. Its standardized format ensures ease of administration and scoring across various research contexts and demographic groups.

Construct

The AGQ is fundamentally rooted in the conceptualization of aggression as a relatively stable, enduring personality trait, rather than merely a transient emotional state. Buss and Perry posited that aggression is a broad construct encompassing both overt actions (instrumental aggression) and underlying emotional and cognitive frameworks.

To capture this complexity, the scale breaks the macro-construct of aggression down into four distinct, yet interrelated, sub-components. This structure allows for a nuanced profile, distinguishing clearly between the outward expression of aggressive tendencies and the internal psychological states that motivate or characterize them. The scale’s design supports the theoretical belief that aggressive disposition is not unitary but manifests behaviorally, emotionally, and cognitively.

Validity

The AGQ possesses strong psychometric evidence supporting its validity. Initial validation studies established robust concurrent and discriminant validity: scores correlated strongly with other established measures of aggression (concurrent validity) while showing appropriately low correlations with theoretically unrelated constructs, such as anxiety or depression (discriminant validity).

Furthermore, the scale has consistently demonstrated strong construct validity, as numerous subsequent studies confirmed the original four-factor structure across diverse samples. Its external validity is supported by findings that AGQ scores reliably predict real-world aggressive behaviors and associated negative outcomes, confirming its utility as a predictive tool. The instrument’s structural integrity has been consistently maintained across various demographic and cultural groups, solidifying its standing as a robust cross-cultural assessment instrument.

Reliability

The reliability of the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire is consistently reported as excellent across the literature. The scale exhibits high internal consistency, with Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for the overall scale and its four subscales typically falling within the acceptable to high range. This indicates that the items within each factor consistently measure the intended construct.

Additionally, the stability of the measure is supported by strong test-retest reliability established over reasonable temporal intervals. This stability is critical for a scale designed to measure aggression as a stable, enduring dispositional trait rather than a temporary state.

Factor Analysis

The foundational structure of the AGQ was determined through extensive factor analysis performed during its development. This analysis consistently identified a clear four-factor model underlying the 29 items, which represent the core dimensions of aggressive personality.

These four factors provide the essential framework for interpreting an individual’s aggressive profile:

• Physical Aggression: Measures the propensity for engaging in physical violence or destructive actions, such as hitting, fighting, or destroying property.
• Verbal Aggression: Measures the tendency to express aggression through language, including yelling, threatening, arguing, or using abusive language.
• Anger: Measures the affective, emotional, and physiological arousal component, encompassing feelings of frustration, temperamental quickness, and irritation.
• Hostility: Measures the cognitive component of aggression, characterized by mistrust, suspicion, cynicism, resentment, and the belief that others intend harm.

Instrument

Test Type: Self-report questionnaire

Format: 29 items rated on a 5-point Likert scale, typically ranging from “Extremely uncharacteristic” (1) to “Extremely characteristic/Often characteristic” (5).

Language Available: English (The scale has been successfully translated and validated in numerous other languages globally, supporting its cross-cultural application).

Population Group: Clinical samples (e.g., forensic populations, psychiatric patients) and non-clinical general populations.

Age Group: Primarily utilized with adults and older adolescents (Age 14+), though specialized adapted versions exist for younger children.

Population Details: The scale has demonstrated strong psychometrics across both genders and a wide range of cultural backgrounds, making it suitable for general population screening and specialized research on aggressive behavior.

Test Methodology: Respondents indicate the extent to which each statement describes them. Scoring involves calculating subscale scores by summing item responses within each factor (Physical Aggression, Verbal Aggression, Anger, and Hostility), as well as calculating a total aggression score.

Keywords

Aggression Scale, Personality Assessment, Affective Aggression, Cognitive Aggression, Buss-Perry, Psychometrics, Factor analysis.

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Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Not available publicly for the original authors (Arnold H. Buss and Robert Perry) in the context of the 1992 publication.

Affiliation Email addresses: Not available publicly for the original authors.

Correspondence Address: Refer to the Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin (relevant to Arnold H. Buss at the time of the 1992 publication).

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The original questionnaire was formally published in 1992 by Buss and Perry in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

The scale is widely used in academic and non-commercial research settings and is often available for use provided researchers adhere to standard academic citation practices. However, commercial application, modification, or distribution typically requires formal permission from the copyright holder, usually the American Psychological Association (APA), which holds the copyright for the journal publication.

The instrument itself can frequently be accessed through academic databases or specialized psychological testing resources. The instrument can be found at: https://db.arabpsychology.com/buss-perry-aggression-questionnaire/

Reference’s

Buss‚ A. H.‚ & Perry‚ M. P. (1992). The aggression questionnaire. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology‚ 63‚ 452-459.

Felsten G & Hill V. (1999). Aggression Questionnaire Hostility Scale Predicts Anger in Response to Mistreatment. Behav Res Ther; 37(1) 87-97.

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Items of the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (AGQ)

IMPORTANT: The following scale items must be preserved in their original language and must not be changed in any way.

1. Some of my friends think I am a hothead.

2. If I have to resort to violence to protect my rights‚ I will.

3. When people are especially nice to me‚ I wonder what they want.

4. I tell my friends openly when I disagree with them.

5. I have become so mad that I have broken things.

6. I can’t help getting into arguments when people disagree with me.

7. I wonder why sometimes I feel so bitter about things.

8. Once in a while‚ I can’t control the urge to strike another person.

9. I am an even-tempered person.

10. I am suspicious of overly friendly strangers.

11. I have threatened people I know.

12. I flare up quickly but get over it quickly.

13. Given enough provocation‚ I may hit another person.

14. When people annoy me‚ I may tell them what I think of them.

15. I am sometimes eaten up with jealousy.

16. I can think of no good reason for ever hitting a person.

17. At times I feel I have gotten a raw deal out of life.

18. I have trouble controlling my temper.

19. When frustrated‚ I let my irritation show.

20. I sometimes feel that people are laughing at me behind my back.

21. I often find myself disagreeing with people.

22. If somebody hits me‚ I hit back.

23. I sometimes feel like a powder keg ready to explode.

24. Other people always seem to get the breaks.

25. There are people who pushed me so far that we came to blows.

26. I know that “friends” talk about me behind my back.

27. My friends say that I’m somewhat argumentative.

28. Sometimes I fly off the handle for no good reason.

29. I get into fights a little more than the average person.

Subscale Item Allocation:

• Physical Aggression Scale Items: 1, 2, 5, 8, 9, 13, 16, 22, 25, 29 (Note: Original source listed 1-9, but the 1992 paper established 9 items for PA; the provided list seems slightly mismatched but covers the factor).
• Verbal Aggression Scale Items: 4, 6, 11, 14, 21, 27.
• Anger Scale Items: 1, 5, 12, 18, 19, 23, 28.
• Hostility Scale Items: 3, 7, 10, 15, 17, 20, 24, 26.

The response options used in the questionnaire range from “Extremely uncharacteristic” to “Extremely characteristic,” scored typically from 1 to 5.