Modified Hostility Scale Test

Understand how cynical, aggressive, or guarded someone tends to be in about 7 minutes. Get a clear, reliable snapshot to guide counseling, clinical work, or conflict-prone teams.

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Questions: 367 minutes

Hi! My name is Freudly, i am an AI therapist, I will give you an interpretation of the test after you complete it.

08:30

October 2, 2025

October 2, 2025
Material has been updated

October 2, 2025
Material has been published

24,527 views

1,369 completions

1,167 likes

Verified by Daniel Hall

Psychologist with 25 years of experience

Scale Explorer

How the Scales are Structured

example score

44/55

Suspiciousness (S)

Cautiousness measures how vigilant and wary a person tends to be in interpersonal relationships, including the expectation of potential threats from others.

Low

Moderate

High

11 – 24: Low | 25 – 39: Moderate | 40 – 55: High

A score of 44 falls in the High range, suggesting elevated alertness and a tendency to approach others with increased caution and suspicion.

example score

33/45

Negativism (N)

Negativism reflects a tendency toward oppositional, stubborn, or defiant responses to others and social expectations.

Low

Average

High

9 – 23: Low | 24 – 43: Average | 44 – 45: High

A score of 33 falls in the Average range, suggesting you can assert your position when needed without a consistent pattern of opposition.

example score

64/80

Cynicism (C)

Measures the tendency to distrust others and interpret their motives and actions as selfish or hostile.

Low

Moderate

High

16 – 41: Low | 42 – 66: Moderate | 67 – 80: High

A score of 64 falls in the Moderate range, suggesting a noticeable but not extreme level of distrust and cautious, critical interpretation of others’ intentions.

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DATA-BASED USER COHORTS

Who Usually Takes This Test?

Therapy and counseling clients

41%OF USERS

People in therapy or coaching who want to understand why they feel suspicious, irritated, or negative toward others and how it shows up in relationships.

HR and team leads

34%OF USERS

Managers and HR specialists screening conflict risks to spot cynicism and irritability that may fuel tension in teams and plan support strategies.

Clinical psychology patients

25%OF USERS

Individuals undergoing psychological or psychiatric assessment where a quick, structured measure of hostility helps clarify the overall diagnostic picture.

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

RESULTS YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE

Scale Results
— Explained Clearly

Your scores across each test scale are translated into plain, usable insights. You won’t just get numbers — you’ll learn how your results impact your daily life, emotional state, and overall well-being.

AI-Powered
Interpretation

You’ll receive a structured, clinically-grounded explanation. Our AI analyzes patterns and relationships between scales to provide a coherent interpretation, without exaggerated language.

Statistical
Comparison

See how your results compare to others. Anonymized platform data is used to create a percentile scale, which identifies whether your results are typical.

Practical
Recommendations

You’ll receive clear, actionable guidance tailored to your profile. These easy-to-implement suggestions focus on coping, self-regulation, and realistic next steps.

AI-Powered
Insights

Get insights on behavioral and thought patterns you might not notice on your own. By uncovering subtle connections between your responses, you’ll better understand what may be driving your current results.

Discuss with
an AI Therapist

Clarify, reflect, and explore your results right away. Talk through your experience, ask questions, and explore meanings in a calm, non-diagnostic dialogue.

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Used in 52+ countries

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.

Cautiousness (C)

Average

31.7

Normal range

24.4 — 39

min.

max.

Majority

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.

Negativism (N)

Average

18.6

Normal range

12.2 — 24.9

min.

max.

Majority

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.

Cynicism (C)

Average

60.2

Normal range

52.1 — 68.3

min.

max.

Majority

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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CLEAR ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this questionnaire assess?

It screens for a tendency toward negative assumptions about others and interpersonal mistrust. Results are reported across cynicism, aggressiveness, and overall hostility.

How long does it take to complete and how many items are included?

Completion typically takes about 7 minutes. The questionnaire contains 36 items.

How should items be answered?

Answer each item based on typical thoughts, feelings, and behavior rather than a single unusual event. Do not spend time overthinking; select the first response that fits.

How are scores interpreted?

Higher scores indicate a stronger tendency toward cynical beliefs, overt irritability, and wary or negative attitudes toward others. Interpretation should consider context and other assessment information.

Can results be used for diagnosis or personnel decisions?

Scores support clinical and consultative assessment but do not establish a diagnosis by themselves. They should not be used as the sole basis for high-stakes decisions.

WHAT THE TEST MEASURES

About This Assessment

Modified Hostility Scale Test - Symptoms and Signs

hostility

This measure is used for brief screening of hostile attitudes and related interpersonal negativity. The Modified Hostility Scale provides a structured self-report format for estimating patterns of cynicism, irritability/aggression, and generalized suspiciousness toward others.

The instrument contains 36 items and typically requires about 7 minutes to complete. It may be used as an adjunct to broader assessment when evaluating anger-related traits, conflict-prone behavior, or interpersonal style, with results interpreted in the context of clinical history and other available data.

The Modified Hostility Scale is intended to support efficient identification of elevated hostility-related features and to inform follow-up assessment, case formulation, and treatment planning when indicated.

Author: a-h-buss, arnold-h-buss, mark-h-perry

Literature: Spielberger, C. D. State-trait anger expression inventory: professional manual. Psychological Assessment Resources. 1996.; Buss, A. H., & Perry, M. The aggression questionnaire. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 1992.; Cook, W. W., & Medley, D. M. Proposed hostility and Pharisaic-virtue scales for the MMPI. Journal of Applied Psychology. 1954.; Barefoot, J. C., Dodge, K. A., Peterson, B. L., Dahlstrom, W. G., & Williams, R. B., Jr. The Cook-Medley hostility scale: item content and ability to predict survival. Psychosomatic Medicine. 1989.

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