The increased stress level of modern people leads to a significant increase in hostility, anger, and aggression. The study of such human reactions has become widespread in recent years and the Buss-Durkee questionnaire has formed the basis for many tools that allow a deeper understanding and control of such human responses.
This test to determine the hostility level was developed in 1957 by American psychologists Arnold H. Buss and Ann Durkee. The questionnaire is designed to diagnose aggressive and hostile reactions in adults.
At the heart of their research, scientists have established a clear division between hostility and aggression.
Hostility is a general negative, distrustful attitude towards others, which is accompanied by hidden negative feelings and assessments;
Aggression: active external aggressive responses towards another creature.
As a result, Buss and Durkee identified two types of hostility (resentment and suspicion) and five types of aggression (physical aggression, indirect aggression, irritation, negativism, and verbal aggression).
Physical aggression, indirect aggression, irritation, and verbal aggression together form the aggregate aggression index, while resentment and suspicion together form the hostility index.
