Angry Verbalization Scale

Abstract

The Angry Verbalization Scale I (AVS I), first published by Doering et al. in 1962, is a psychometric instrument comprising 40 items designed to measure an individual’s potential verbal responses when confronted with frustrating situations. The scale operates on the foundational premise that behaviors induced by frustration exist along a defined continuum, ranging from non-hostile reactions to intensely hostile displays. Development of the AVS I utilized the rigorous equal-appearing-intervals technique (a form of Thurstone scaling).

The creation process involved devising forty distinct categories of responses, which were exemplified through replies to a standardized scenario where a student confronts an instructor regarding a frustrating grade. Thirty male college students then rated the hostility level of these replies, establishing the scale values that form the basis of the AVS I. This instrument is specifically intended for understanding and quantifying varying intensities of angry verbalization.

Keywords

Angry Verbalization Scale I, Frustration, Hostility, Test Development, Emotional Responses, Rating Scale, Equal-appearing-intervals technique, Oral Communication.

Authors

Doering, Milan F., Hamlin, Roy M., Everstine, Louis, Eigenbrode, Charles R., Chambers, Guinevere S., Wolpin, Milton, Lackner, Frank M.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Angry Verbalization Scale I is to systematically evaluate the range of potential verbal reactions an individual might exhibit in response to specific frustrating scenarios. This evaluation specifically targets the intensity and nature of angry verbalizations, treating them as quantifiable points upon a spectrum of emotional expression.

The scale was developed not only as a measurement tool but also in the context of research exploring whether training could be used to increase the intensity of angry verbalization, suggesting its utility in experimental psychological settings focused on emotional control and reaction modification.

Construct

The central psychological construct measured by the AVS I is Angry Verbalizations. This construct is operationalized by categorizing verbal responses according to their perceived level of hostility following a frustrating event. The scale seeks to provide a standardized metric for the variance in verbal aggression and emotional expression, particularly within challenging interpersonal contexts.

The design method, based on the equal-appearing-intervals technique, ensures that the items selected for the final 40-item scale represent equidistant steps along the theoretical continuum of hostility, thereby providing a robust measure of intensity.

Validity

The original documentation for the Angry Verbalization Scale I (1962) does not explicitly detail specific quantitative studies regarding its validity (e.g., criterion or construct validity). However, the scale’s development process, which involved expert rating of items to establish scale values, inherently contributes to content validity by ensuring the items adequately span the intended hostility continuum.

Formal validity statistics confirming the scale’s ability to correlate with external measures of aggression or anger expression are not indicated in the primary reference material. Researchers should exercise caution and seek subsequent validation studies if using the AVS I today.

Reliability

Information concerning the standard psychometric reliability coefficients, such as internal consistency (e.g., Cronbach’s alpha) or test-retest reliability, of the AVS I is not specified in the primary source documentation. The initial research focus was on establishing the reliable interval measurement system through the scaling technique itself, rather than reporting standard reliability metrics for the final 40-item instrument.

Factor Analysis

There is no indication in the foundational literature that a formal factor analysis was performed on the 40 items of the Angry Verbalization Scale I. Given that the scale was constructed using the equal-appearing-intervals technique, the structure was inherently designed to represent a single, linear dimension of hostility, making a complex, multi-factor structure unnecessary for the scale’s intended use.

Instrument

Test Type: Rating Scale

Format: Paper (Designed for presentation of scenarios and rating of responses)

Language Available: English (Implied)

Population Group: Human; Specifically tested on both Male and Female participants.

Age Group: Adults (College Students)

Population Details: The initial standardization sample used to establish the scale values consisted of 30 male college students who rated the hostility of 40 prepared verbal responses.

Test Methodology: The scale utilized the equal-appearing-intervals technique (a Thurstone scaling method) to determine precise scale values for 40 verbal responses, ensuring they represented incrementally increasing degrees of hostility or angry verbalization.

Keywords

Anger, Frustration, Hostility, Oral Communication, Emotional States, Emotional Responses, Test Construction, Psychological Measurement.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Information not available in the source material.

Affiliation Email addresses: Information not available in the source material.

Correspondence Address: Information not available in the source material.

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The Angry Verbalization Scale I was initially developed and published in 1962. Information regarding current permissions requirements, licensing fees, or commercial availability is not specified in the primary reference. Researchers interested in utilizing the scale should consult the original authors or the publishing journal, Psychological Monographs: General and Applied, for usage rights.

Reference’s

Doering, M. F., Hamlin, R. M., Everstine, L., Eigenbrode, C. R., Chambers, G. S., Wolpin, M., & Lackner, F. M. (1962). The use of training to increase intensity of angry verbalization. Psychological Monographs: General and Applied, 76(37), 1–27. The digital object identifier (DOI) for this publication is https://doi.org/10.1037/h0093877.

Items of the Angry Verbalization Scale

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

The original test items for the Angry Verbalization Scale I are not available in the source documentation.