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

08:30

October 2, 2025

October 2, 2025
Material has been updated

October 2, 2025
Material has been published

27,500 views

1,666 completions

1,386 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

- Strongly disagree
- Disagree
- Neither agree nor disagree
- Agree
- Strongly agree
- Strongly disagree
- Disagree
- Neither agree nor disagree
- Agree
- Strongly agree
- Strongly disagree
- Disagree
- Neither agree nor disagree
- Agree
- Strongly agree

These are 3 of the 36 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

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.