The assessment of argumentativeness and verbal aggressiveness in adolescent populations

This investigation extends the work of Infante & Rancer (1982) and Infante & Wigley (1986) by assessing the existence and measurability of argumentativeness and verbal aggressiveness in adolescents. Results indicate that these two constructs, and the instruments used to measure them, are adaptable to adolescent populations. Specifically, the internal consistency and temporal stability of the Adolescent Argumentativeness Scale and the Adolescent Verbal Aggressiveness Scale suggest these instruments are reliable when used to assess these predispositions in adolescent populations. The instruments also demonstrated satisfactory face, concurrent, convergent, and discriminant validity. However, it appears that unlike their adult counterparts, children do not perceive argumentativeness and verbal aggressiveness as independent constructs.

Key concepts:

• Argumentativeness
• verbal aggressiveness
• adolescence
• reliability
• validity