Aggressive Behavior Test

In 8 minutes, learn how aggression shows up for you across stress and conflict. Quick, reliable results support clearer communication and smarter coping plans.

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Questions: 408 minutes

08:30

October 2, 2025

October 2, 2025
Material has been updated

October 2, 2025
Material has been published

27,774 views

3,379 completions

2,675 likes

Verified by Daniel Hall

Psychologist with 25 years of experience

Scale Explorer

How the Scales are Structured

example score

4/10

Direct Physical Aggression (DPA)

This scale measures the tendency to express aggression through direct physical actions intended to cause harm to another person.

Low

Moderate

High

0 – 3: Low | 4 – 6: Moderate | 7 – 10: High

A score of 4 suggests a moderate level of direct physical aggression, indicating it may appear in some situations but is not a dominant response pattern.

example score

5/10

Indirect Physical Aggression (IPA)

Measures the tendency to express aggression through indirect physical actions that cause harm without direct confrontation.

Low

Moderate

High

0 – 3: Low | 4 – 6: Moderate | 7 – 10: High

A score of 5 indicates a moderate level of indirect physical aggression, suggesting this person may sometimes channel tension through indirect actions rather than direct physical confrontation.

example score

2/10

Indirect Verbal Aggression (IVA)

Measures the tendency to express negative emotions through indirect or subtle verbal means such as sarcasm, insinuations, or gossip.

Low

Moderate

High

0 – 3: Low | 4 – 7: Moderate | 8 – 10: High

A score of 2 falls in the Low range, suggesting indirect verbal aggression is generally infrequent or mild in everyday communication.

example score

8/10

Direct Verbal (DV)

Measures the tendency to express aggression openly through words such as shouting, threats, or insults.

Low

Moderate

High

0 – 3: Low | 4 – 6: Moderate | 7 – 10: High

A score of 8 falls in the High range, suggesting a pronounced tendency to express negative emotions directly through verbal statements in tense situations.

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DATA-BASED USER COHORTS

Who Usually Takes This Test?

People in frequent conflicts

41%OF USERS

They want to understand why they snap, argue, or hold grudges and what kind of aggression shows up under stress.

Counseling and therapy clients

34%OF USERS

They take it as a quick check to map their typical reactions (verbal, irritability, passive resistance) and set goals for change.

Educators and team leaders

25%OF USERS

They use it to better understand aggression patterns in students or employees and choose a more effective communication approach.

BASED ON AGGREGATED, ANONYMIZED DATA FROM TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FREUDLY USERS.

Benchmarking

See How You Compare

Once you complete the test, your results are compared with real-world data from people in your country.
Below is a preview of how scores are typically distributed across each scale.

Direct physical (Dp)

Average

6.3

Normal range

4.7 — 7.9

min.

max.

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

Indirect physical (Ip)

Average

Normal range

5.5 — 8.5

min.

max.

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

Indirect verbal (Iv)

Average

6.9

Normal range

5.1 — 8.8

min.

max.

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

Direct verbal (Dv)

Average

6.3

Normal range

4.6 — 8

min.

max.

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

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SAMPLE QUESTIONS

Example Questions From the Test

- Yes
- No
- Yes
- No
- Yes
- No

These are 3 of the 40 real questions — the rest appear in the test. No sign-up needed to start.

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WHAT THE TEST MEASURES

About This Assessment

Aggressive Behavior Test - Symptoms and Signs

aggressiveness

This measure assesses patterns of aggressive responding across common interpersonal situations. Aggressive Behavior is intended to support clinical interviewing and case formulation by identifying the individual’s predominant modes of expressing anger or hostility.

The instrument includes 40 items and typically takes about 8 minutes to complete. Item content focuses on self-reported reactions and behaviors that may reflect overt or indirect expressions of aggression, such as verbal hostility, irritability, or resistance.

Results from Aggressive Behavior may help clarify how aggressive impulses are experienced and expressed, informing intervention planning, psychoeducation, and monitoring over time. Bibliographic attribution is commonly cited to Arnold H. Buss and Leonard Berkowitz.

Author: Arnold H. Buss, Leonard Berkowitz

Literature: Buss, A. H., & Perry, M. The aggression questionnaire. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 1992.; Anderson, C. A., & Bushman, B. J. Human aggression. Annual Review of Psychology. 2002.