buss perry aggression questionnaire reliability and validity

The Buss–Perry Aggression Questionnaire-Short Form (BPAQ‐SF) aimed to improve the common explained variance of the BPAQ (for which variance explained was only 80%). The result is a 12 item BPAQ with better psychometric properties than the original 29 item scale. This criticism was led by Bryant and Smith ( 2001), who suggested to remove items from the questionnaire to improve its psychometric properties. Some criticized the 29 item BPAQ because the four‐factor model explained only a portion of the common variance, model fit was only moderate (Bryant & Smith, 2001 Harris, 1995 Williams et al., 1996). For example, Archer et al. ( 1995) criticized the questionnaire for the difficulty of obtaining classically “pure” measures, like the ones proposed by Buss and Perry. The 29 item BPAQ has gone through some changes since its inception. The BPAQ has been in use in different languages and its psychometric properties appear to substantiate the original four‐factor model of aggression that was proposed by Buss and Perry. It measures four factors of aggression: Verbal Aggression, Physical Aggression, Anger, and Hostility. The BPAQ is a 29 item five‐point Likert scale inventory replacing the true or false type questions of the BDHI. Thus, a new questionnaire (BPAQ) was developed. The BDHI was criticized for its lack of discriminant validity (Biaggio, 1981), its unstable factor loadings (Buss & Perry, 1992) and because it was found to strongly correlate with social desirability (Biaggio et al., 1981). The BDHI measures 7 dimensions of aggression (Assault, Indirect Hostility, Irritability, Negativism, Resentment, Suspicion, and Verbal Hostility).

The BDHI (Buss & Durkee, 1957) was developed in the 1950s and remained in use for decades. The BPAQ is derived from the Buss‐Durkee Hostility Inventory (BDHI). The Buss–Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ) is one of the gold standards in terms of measures of self‐report aggression. These could be expressed actively or passively/directly or indirectly. The five subtypes of Aggression were as follows: physical aggression, verbal aggression, postural aggression, damage to property and theft. Their classification of aggression was based on a new taxonomic system.

For example, Parrott and Giancola ( 2007) addressed “the criterion problem” of aggressive behavior: what exactly is aggression psychologically, and how we can categorize it. Even though aggression is a basic human behavior and has been in the focus of psychological studies for decades, the conceptualization of this behavior still has its challenges. Aggression is defined as purposeful behavior to inflict physical or psychological harm (American Psychological Association, 2007).

Buss perry aggression questionnaire reliability and validity