The Overt Aggression Scale for the objective rating of verbal and physical aggression

Abstract

The authors describe the design and reliability of a rating scale that measures aggressive behaviors in adults and children. On the Overt Aggresssion Scale (OAS), aggression is divided into four categories: (1) verbal aggression, (2) physical aggression against objects, (3) physical aggression against self, and (4) physical aggression against others. In addition, specific interventions related to each aggressive event can be recorded on the OAS. The clinical and research applications of this scale are discussed.