Novaco Anger Scale and Provocation Inventory
Test Description
Test format
Novaco Anger Scale and Provocation Inventory (NAS-PI) [Novaco, R.W. (1994). Novaco Anger Scale and Provocation Inventory (NAS-PI). Los Angeles, CA: Western Psychological Services.] is a self-report measure that was developed by Novaco (1994). It is meant to assess anger reactivity, anger suppression, and change in anger disposition.
The NAS-PI consists of two main parts.
1. Novaco Anger Scale (NAS) - measures the general inclination toward anger reactions. It consists of 48 items that are divided equally into three subscales, which in turn are divided into four sections:
i. Cognitive subscale measures anger justification, rumination, hostile attitude, and suspicion.
ii. Arousal subscale measures anger intensity, duration, somatic tension, and irritability.
iii. Behavior subscale measures impulsive reaction, verbal aggression, physical confrontation, and indirect expression.
Anger regulation measures ability to regulate anger-engendering thoughts, effect self-calming, and engage in constructive behavior when provoked.
2. Provocation Inventory (PI), also known as Novaco Anger Inventory (NAI) consists of 25 items that each describing situations that induce anger in particular individuals. The items are grouped into five subscales that summarize the nature of the provocation: disrespectful treatment, unfairness, frustration, annoying traits of others, and irritations (Jones, Thomas-Peter, & Trout, 1999).
The entire questionnaire can be completed in just 25 minutes by anyone who can read at a fourth-grade level. (It can also be administered to clients who are mentally disordered or developmentally delayed, though items may have to be read to these individuals). The NAS PI can be administered as a whole, or the two parts can be used independently. It can be hand or computer scored.
Target population
Normative data are based on an age-stratified sample of 1,546 individuals, from 9 to 84 years of age. Separate norms are provided for preadolescents and adolescents (9 to 18) and adults (19 and older).
Obtaining the NAS-PI and permission to use it. One can buy NAS-PI from the test publisher, Western Psychological Services. The prices are as following:
82.00 USD for the test kit (including 25 AutoScore Test Forms; Manual; 2-Use Disk for computer scoring plus 2 PC Answer Sheets) (Western Psychological Services, 2003).
Reliability information
Novaco (1994) has produced his own reliability data for the NAS: an excellent internal consistency for the total scale (α=.97), but poorer internal reliability for some of the individual subscales. The test-retest reliability of the total scale was also good (r = .86). The scale was found to possess moderate to good intercorrelations with other anger-related measures. Jones et al. (1999) showed Cronbach's α of .94 for the NAS-PI, but a number of the smaller subscales failed to show this level of reliability (particularly Suspicion). These findings are similar to those reported by Novaco (1994).
Validity information
Reliability and validity of the NAS were examined in 18-69 yr old general and violent admissions male offenders (Mills, Kroner, & Forth, 1998). The test has shown good test-retest reliability in nonclinical, clinical, and correctional samples.
Studies given in the test manual show that the NAS-PI can distinguish between assaultive and non-assaultive forensic inpatients and predict assaultive behavior in institutions as well as violent behavior in the community following hospital discharge.
Huss, Leak and Davis (1993) compared scores on the NAS to those on Buss-Durke Hostility Inventory and found that the NAS possessed a good construct validity.
Unverzagt and Schill (1989) found that the PI could accurately classify aggressive "normal" individuals with only a 60% accuracy. The authors felt that this may have been due to the lack of aggressive self report in their participants. Selby (1984), who used a forensic sample, found that the PI could discriminate more aggressive individuals with a 90% accuracy.
Novaco (1994) himself reported moderate to good prospective validity for the NAS-PI.
Also, a validity index in the test manual helps identify inconsistent responding, whether intentional or inadvertent.
A study using the test
Fehrer (2002) conducted a study in which the experimental group of 20 participants was taught an intervention technique, the Awareness Response, in order to reduce their emotional reactivity, such as anger or withdrawal.
The following hypotheses were tested: Compared to a control group of 17 participants who were not taught any technique, the course participants would show significantly greater reduction in (a) emotional reactivity; (b) anger (measured by the Novaco Anger Scale); and (c) anxiety. The hypotheses of the study were not supported. Unlike the above quantitative scales, post-study qualitative questionnaires completed by both the participants and by a partner or friend confirmed that important changes did occur in the lives of the participants, including reduced emotional reactivity, better interpersonal interactions, and more inner peace.
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