Anger Self-Screen

The items on this scale describe situations that are related to anger and arousal. For each of the items please rate the degree to which the incident described would make you angry or provoke you by ticking the appropriate degree of annoyance.

Try to imagine that the incident is actually happening to you and then indicate the extent to which it would have made you angry. In actual situations, the degree of anger that you would experience would also depend on several other factors that are not specified here (such as circumstances, the people involved etc.). However, this scale is only concerned with your general reactions, and we ask you to rate your responses according to how you would react generally.

The ratings are:

- You would feel very little or no annoyance.
- You would feel a little irritated.
- You would feel moderately upset.
- You would feel quite angry.
- You would feel very angry.

1. You unpack an appliance you have just bought, plug it in, and discover that it doesn't work.
Very Little
Little
Moderate
Much
Very Much

2. Being overcharged by a repair person who has you over a barrel.
Very Little
Little
Moderate
Much
Very Much

3. Being singled out for a correction, while the actions of others go unnoticed.
Very Little
Little
Moderate
Much
Very Much

4. Getting your car stuck in the mud or sand.
Very Little
Little
Moderate
Much
Very Much

5. You are talking to someone and they don't answer you.
Very Little
Little
Moderate
Much
Very Much

6. Someone pretends to be something they are not.
Very Little
Little
Moderate
Much
Very Much

7. While you are struggling to carry four cups of coffee to your table at a cafeteria, someone bumps into you,
spilling the coffee.
Very Little
Little
Moderate
Much
Very Much

8. You have hung up your clothes, but someone knocks them to the floor and fails to pick them up.
Very Little
Little
Moderate
Much
Very Much

9. You are hounded by a sales person from the moment you walk into the store.
Very Little
Little
Moderate
Much
Very Much

10. You have made arrangements to go somewhere with a person who backs off at the last minute and leaves you
dangling.
Very Little
Little
Moderate
Much
Very Much

11. Being joked about or teased.
Very Little
Little
Moderate
Much
Very Much

12. Your car is stalled at a traffic light, and the person behind you keeps blowing his horn.
Very Little
Little
Moderate
Much
Very Much

13. You accidentally make the wrong kind of turn in a car park. As you get out of your car someone yells at you,
"where did you learn to drive?"
Very Little
Little
Moderate
Much
Very Much

14. Someone makes a mistake and blames it on you.
Very Little
Little
Moderate
Much
Very Much

15. You are trying to concentrate, but a person near you is tapping their foot.
Very Little
Little
Moderate
Much
Very Much

16. You lend someone an important book or tool, and they fail to return it.
Very Little
Little
Moderate
Much
Very Much

17. You have had a busy day, and the person you live with starts to complain about how you forgot to do
something you agreed to.
Very Little
Little
Moderate
Much
Very Much

18. You are trying to discuss something important with your mate or partner who isn't giving you a chance to
express your feelings.
Very Little
Little
Moderate
Much
Very Much

19. You are in a discussion with someone who persists in arguing about a topic they know very little about.
Very Little
Little
Moderate
Much
Very Much

20. Someone sticks his or her nose into an argument between you and someone else.
Very Little
Little
Moderate
Much
Very Much

21. You need to get somewhere quickly, but the car in front of you is going 40 km/h in a 60 km/h zone, and you
can't pass.
Very Little
Little
Moderate
Much
Very Much

22. Stepping on a lump of chewing gum.
Very Little
Little
Moderate
Much
Very Much

23. Being mocked by a small group of people as you pass them.
Very Little
Little
Moderate
Much
Very Much

24. In a hurry to get somewhere, you tear a good pair of trousers / skirt on a sharp object.
Very Little
Little
Moderate
Much
Very Much

25. You use your last coin to make a phone call, but you are disconnected before you finish dialing and the coin
is lost.
Very Little
Little
Moderate
Much
Very Much

(Please make sure that you have answered all questions)

Your total Anger score is:

Below you will find a guide to interpret your score. If your total score suggests that your anger level and reactions are outside the normal range, we suggest that you consider learning better coping skills.

Scores 0 - 45: Very Low Anger Level
If your score fell within this range, than the amount of anger and annoyances you normally experience is quite low. Only very few people will experience similarly low general anger level and score within this range.

Scores 46 - 55: Low Anger Level
If your score fell within this range than you are considerably more patient and peaceful than the average person.

Scores 56 - 75: Average Anger Level
If your score fell within this range, than you likely to respond to life's annoyances with an average amount of anger.

Scores 76 - 85: High Anger Level
If your score fell within this range, than you frequently react in an angry way to the different annoyances you encounter in your life. Also, scores within this range indicate that you are substantially more irritable than the average person. You may benefit from learning skills that can help you maintain balanced responding in difficult situations.

Scores 86 - 100: Very High Anger Level
If your score fell within this range, you are prone to frequent and intense reactions that do not disappear quickly. You probably maintain strong negative feelings long after the initial insult has passed. You may also have the reputation of being hotheaded and inpatient. You may experience tension headaches, muscle pain and high blood pressure. Your anger can get out of control and may lead to impulsive and hostile outbursts, which at times get you into trouble. Only a few percent of the adult population experience anger in this level. If you scored within this range, we suggest you find ways to cope better with real or perceived provocation and learn skills to manage your anger better.

Anger is a normal emotion that all people experience. What differentiates people is the way they experience anger and how they express it. If you scored high on the above test, or you and people around you believe that you have difficulty managing your anger, remember that help is available. You can call us to discuss your concern.

Source:
Novaco Anger Inventory - Short Form. Lifted from Psychologist World. Access: Psychologist World.

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