Modified Aggression Scale – MAS
Measures the frequency of aggressive and cooperative behaviors in adolescents.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Modified Aggression Scale – MAS was developed by Pamela Orpinas, Kristin Bosworth, Dorothy Espelage (1993). It is designed to measure Aggression and cooperative behavior. The scale is intended for use with Middle school age youth (grades 6-8).
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 22 items organized into 4 factors/subscales: Fighting, Bullying, Anger, Caring/Cooperative Behavior.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Fighting | 1,2,3,4,5 | 5 |
| Bullying | 6,7,8,9 | 4 |
| Anger | 10,11,12,13,14 | 5 |
| Caring/Cooperative Behavior | 15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22 | 8 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 1 = No opportunity / Never, 2 = 1 or 2 times, 3 = 3 or 4 times, 4 = 5 or more times.
The scale includes 1 reverse-scored items to reduce acquiescence bias.
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.