Children’s Action Tendency Scale – CATS
A self-report measure designed to assess aggressiveness, assertiveness, and submissiveness in children through hypothetical conflict situations.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Children’s Action Tendency Scale – CATS was developed by Robert H. Deluty (1979). It is designed to measure Aggressiveness, Assertiveness, Submissiveness. The scale is intended for use with Children (ages 6-12).
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 39 items organized into 3 factors/subscales: Aggressiveness, Assertiveness, Submissiveness.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Aggressiveness | 1,2,4,6,8,9,10,11,13,15,16,17,20,21,22,23,25,27,28,29,31,32,34,35,37,39 | 26 |
| Assertiveness | 2,3,4,5,7,8,10,12,13,14,17,18,19,20,23,24,25,26,28,30,31,33,34,36,38,39 | 26 |
| Submissiveness | 1,3,5,6,7,9,11,12,14,15,16,18,19,21,22,24,26,27,29,30,32,33,35,36,37,38 | 26 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: a = Option A, b = Option B.
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Total scores range from 0 to 26. Interpretation guidelines:
- Range of possible scores for each subscale (Aggressiveness, Assertiveness, Submissiveness): 0 – 26
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of Split-half reliability: .77 (Aggressiveness), .63 (Assertiveness), .73 (Submissiveness).
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.