To assess the test-retest reliability of four anger scales: the Buss Durkee Hostility Inventory (BDHI), the Reaction Inventory (RI), the Anger Self Report (ASR), and the Anger Inventory (NI), 60 student volunteers were twice administered the four inventories (two weeks apart). They also filled out a Personal Incidents Record of all anger-provoking incidents for two weeks of their daily life, and participated in imaginal and role-play laboratory provocations, after which physiological readings and self-reports of anger arousal were assessed. The BDHI and RI evidenced good test-retest reliability, the ASR fair reliability, and the NI poor reliability. Many ASR subscales demonstrated good predictive validity. The RI and BDHI possessed some ability to predict the experience of anger, but most of the BDHI subscales did not seem to be measuring specific states or behavior. The NI did not correlate with any of the criterion measures.
Reasons for the paucity of research on anger are discussed and four measures of anger arousal are reviewed: Buss Durkee Hostility Inventory, Reaction Inventory, Anger Self-report, and Anger Inventory. Normative data are reported for 150 subjects and sex differences are assessed. A correlation matrix presents intercorrelations for all anger scales and also correlations between the scales and social desirability. Factor analysis revealed five separate factors which accounted for the total variance. The research utility of each of the scales is assessed, clinical implications noted, and recommendations for furture research made.
To understand better the relationship between depression and various constructs of anger and hostility, 112 university students were administered the MMPI Depression scale, the Hostility and Direction of Hostility Questionnaire, the Overcontrolled Hostility Scale, the Anger Expression Scale, and the State-Trait Anger Scale. Among depressed subjects there was a more intense experience of hostility, particularly inwardly directed hostility, and a diminished sense of control over anger or a disinclination to manage anger.
The relationship between anger and narcissistic personality characteristics was examined for 91 students in introductory psychology courses. 35 individuals high in narcissism reported greater verbally expressed anger. Males high in narcissism were more likely to express anger physically. Results are discussed in terms of DSM-III--R criteria for narcissistic personality disorder.
The purpose of this study was to examine sex differences in behavioral reactions to provocation of anger. In a field study, 72 subjects recorded all anger-arousing incidents for a 2-wk. period. Physical and Verbal Antagonism were found in more reports by men while Passive Consent was noted in more reports by women. For a laboratory study, 101 subjects responded to self-report scales of behavioral responses after exposure to an insulting letter. No sex differences were noted in subjects' self-reports of behavioral reactions. Variations in design are brought to bear in interpreting the findings.
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