NCJ Number
218055
Journal
Violence and Victims Volume: 22 Issue: 1 Dated: 2007 Pages: 95-103
Date Published
2007
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This study tested the construct validity for group data of the Point Subtraction Aggression Paradigm first-session (PSAP-FS), which is a behavioral measure of aggression in response to provocation.
Abstract
The PSAP-FS, which measures aggression in the present, correlated well with measures of recent aggression but less strongly with a life history of aggression. The PSAP-FS had satisfactory validity properties for use with groups. The PSAP, as traditionally used, is an important instrument for measuring rather than asking about aggressive behaviors. It requires a substantial amount of time for administration. It is practical and desirable for certain uses, such as small studies on focused populations and studies in which inferences about individuals rather than groups will be made. In other settings, the time and costs of using the full PSAP may not be feasible. This study shows that key advantages of the PSAP can be retained in these settings. Using the first session alone has satisfactory construct validity properties when the purpose is to generate statistical findings based on group-level data in larger samples in contrast to having high-accuracy assessments of aggression in an individual or small group. The study involved 100 male and female subjects recruited through researcher announcements in college classes. 5 tables and 28 references