Aggression Questionnaire (AQ)

A.H. Buss & W.L. Warren

This self-report inventory makes it possible – and practical – to routinely screen children and adults for aggressive tendencies. The Aggression Questionnaire (AQ) measures an individual’s aggressive responses and his or her ability to channel those responses in a safe, constructive manner.

The AQ is a full revision of the Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory, a long time standard for assessing anger and aggression. It consists of just 34 items, scored on the following scales:

• Anger

A Total Score is also provided, along with an Inconsistent Responding Index.

Written at a third-grade reading level, AQ items describe various characteristics related to aggression. The respondent simply rates each item on a 5-point scale ranging from “Not al all like me” to “Completely like me”. Because it is brief and easy to read, the scale can be used with virtually anyone, including respondents who have difficulty with more complex verbal measures. The test can be hand scored in minutes.

In clinical setting, the AQ’s five subscale scores provide a level of detail that is particularly useful for treatment planning and outcome measurement. In correctional setting, the simplicity of the AQ makes it an excellent choice for documenting need for service and focusing rehabilitation efforts. In other institutional settings – schools, businesses, military installations, and geriatric or convalescent hospitals – it can be used for both screening and program evaluation.

Norms