Description of the Questionnaire

The Antisocial Attitudes Scale (AAS) is a brief self-report questionnaire consisting of 16 statements that assess individuals’ attitudes and perceptions toward antisocial behaviors such as weapon use, theft, physical fights, and assault. Responses are given on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = Strongly Disagree to 5 = Strongly Agree). The tool is primarily used in research and educational settings with the purpose of exploring predispositions toward delinquent behaviors and not as a diagnostic instrument.

Data Analysis and Use

Data collection is carried out through anonymous completion of the questionnaire either in paper-and-pencil or electronic form. For data analysis, the total score is calculated by summing all responses. Higher scores indicate a greater positive attitude toward antisocial behavior. Statistical methods such as means, standard deviations, t-tests, ANOVA analyses, or regression models may be applied to examine relationships with other variables such as gender, age, or socioeconomic status. The data are intended for educational or research evaluation and are not designed for clinical diagnosis.

Aim

The main aim of the AAS is to measure attitudes toward antisocial behavior. The questionnaire helps identify individuals or groups with a greater predisposition to delinquent or risky behaviors and can be used in prevention research programs, in educational contexts, as well as in social psychology studies.

Scoring

Participants are asked to respond to each item on a scale from 1 to 5 where 1 means Strongly Disagree and 5 means Strongly Agree. The total score ranges from 16 to 80. Scores between 16 and 32 indicate low acceptance of antisocial behaviors, between 33 and 56 moderate acceptance, while between 57 and 80 high acceptance, which is associated with an increased likelihood of risky or delinquent behavior. Reliability indices (Cronbach’s α) in the original study were found to be satisfactory, above 0.70.

References

Carroll, A., Hattie, J., Durkin, K., & Houghton, S. (2001). Adolescent Reputations, Self‐Concepts and the Development of Antisocial Behaviour. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 42(3), 305–317.