Attitude Toward Violence Scale
Welcome to our blog on the Attitude Toward Violence Scale (ATVS). This psychological measure is used to assess an individual’s attitudes and beliefs about the use of violence. In this blog, we will delve into the development of the ATVS, its administration and scoring, its uses and limitations, and provide some reference materials for further reading. Understanding and assessing attitudes toward violence is a crucial step in addressing aggressive and violent behavior. We hope this blog will provide valuable insights into the ATVS and its applications.
Development of the scale
The Attitude Toward Violence Scale (ATVS) was first developed in the 1970s by psychologist Leonard Eron and his colleagues at the University of Illinois. The original version of the scale consisted of 30 items that assessed attitudes toward violence in different contexts, such as in sports, politics, and personal relationships. The items were designed to be responded to on a Likert-type scale, with responses ranging from “strongly agree” to “strongly disagree.”
Since its initial development, the ATVS has undergone several revisions and adaptations. Researchers have modified the scale to include items that assess attitudes toward different forms of violence, such as physical, verbal, and sexual violence. Additionally, other versions of the scale have been developed specifically for different populations, such as children, adolescents, and older adults.
The ATVS has been widely used in research and clinical settings, and several studies have demonstrated its reliability and validity as a measure of attitudes toward violence. Despite its popularity, the scale has also been criticized for its lack of specificity and its failure to distinguish between different types of violent behavior. Despite these limitations, the ATVS remains a widely used measure of attitudes towards violence and continues to be a valuable tool for research and practice.
Administration of the scale
The Attitude Toward Violence Scale (ATVS) is typically administered as a self-report questionnaire, in which individuals respond to a series of statements or questions about their attitudes toward violence. The scale can be administered in a paper-and-pencil format or through an online survey. The standard administration time for the ATVS is about 10-15 minutes.
The scale is usually composed of a series of statements or questions that individuals respond to on a Likert-type scale, with responses ranging from “strongly agree” to “strongly disagree.” The exact number of items and the specific wording of the items will vary depending on the version of the ATVS being used.
The ATVS can be administered to individuals of any age and can be used in a variety of settings, such as schools, clinics, and prisons. It is important to note that the ATVS is not a diagnostic tool, but rather a measure of attitudes and beliefs about violence. Therefore, it should be used in conjunction with other measures, such as behavioral observations and interviews, to gain a comprehensive understanding of an individual’s risk for engaging in violent behavior.
It is recommended that the ATVS be administered by a trained professional or under the supervision of a trained professional. The professional should be familiar with the administration and scoring procedures for the ATVS and should be able to provide appropriate interpretation of the results.
Scoring of the scale
The scoring of the Attitude Toward Violence Scale (ATVS) typically involves converting the individual’s responses to a numerical value and then summing the scores for each item. The specific scoring method will depend on the version of the ATVS being used.
In the original version of the scale, developed by Leonard Eron and his colleagues, the responses are typically scored on a Likert-type scale, with “strongly agree” assigned a value of 4, “agree” assigned a value of 3, “uncertain” assigned a value of 2, “disagree” assigned a value of 1, and “strongly disagree” assigned a value of 0. The total score is obtained by summing the scores for each item. A higher score on the ATVS is generally associated with more positive attitudes toward violence.
In other versions, the responses are scored differently, for example in some versions, the responses are scored on a 5-point Likert-type scale, with “strongly agree” assigned a value of 5, “agree” assigned a value of 4, “uncertain” assigned a value of 3, “disagree” assigned a value of 2, and “strongly disagree” assigned a value of 1.
It is important to note that the ATVS is not a diagnostic tool, but rather a measure of attitudes and beliefs about violence. Therefore, it should be used in conjunction with other measures, such as behavioral observations and interviews, to gain a comprehensive understanding of an individual’s risk for engaging in violent behavior. A trained professional should be able to interpret the results of the ATVS, taking into account the individual’s overall clinical picture and other relevant information.
Use of the scale
The Attitude Toward Violence Scale (ATVS) is used to assess an individual’s attitudes and beliefs about the use of violence. It is a widely used tool in research and clinical settings to assess the attitudes towards violence.
In research settings, the ATVS is used to study the attitudes of different populations towards violence, such as children, adolescents, and adults. Researchers have used the scale to study the attitudes of individuals in different cultures and countries, as well as the attitudes of individuals with different backgrounds and experiences. The scale has also been used to study the attitudes of individuals with different diagnoses, such as antisocial personality disorder, depression, and schizophrenia.
In clinical settings, the ATVS is used to assess the risk of violence in individuals who have been referred for evaluation or treatment. The scale is used as part of a comprehensive evaluation of an individual’s risk for engaging in violent behavior. The scale can also be used to monitor the treatment progress of individuals who have been identified as at risk for violence.
The ATVS is also used in forensic settings, particularly in the assessment of risk of recidivism or danger to others in offenders. It is also used to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions aimed at reducing violent behavior.
It is important to note that the ATVS should not be used as a standalone measure to diagnose or predict violent behavior, but as a part of a comprehensive assessment, taking into account the individual’s overall clinical picture and other relevant information.
Limitations of the scale
The Attitude Toward Violence Scale (ATVS) is a widely used measure of attitudes toward violence, but it has several limitations that should be considered when interpreting the results.
One limitation of the ATVS is that it is a self-report measure, which means that the responses are based on the individual’s own perceptions and may not reflect their actual behavior. Additionally, some individuals may be unwilling or unable to accurately report their attitudes and beliefs about violence, which can lead to inaccurate results.
Another limitation of the ATVS is that it may not distinguish between different types of violent behavior. The scale assesses attitudes toward violence in general, rather than specific forms of violence, such as physical, verbal, or sexual violence. This lack of specificity may make it difficult to interpret the results and to identify specific areas where an individual may be at risk for engaging in violent behavior.
The ATVS also has been criticized for not distinguishing between different types of violence, such as “justified” and “unjustified” violence. This lack of specificity may make it difficult to interpret the results and to identify specific areas where an individual may be at risk for engaging in violent behavior.
Additionally, the ATVS is a relatively static measure, it may not capture the changes in attitudes and beliefs over time. Therefore, it may not be useful for monitoring the progress of treatment or interventions aimed at reducing violent behavior.
Finally, the ATVS should not be used to diagnose or predict violent behavior, it should be used in conjunction with other measures, such as behavioral observations and interviews, to gain a comprehensive understanding of an individual’s risk for engaging in violent behavior.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Attitude Toward Violence Scale (ATVS) is a widely used measure of attitudes toward violence that can be used in research and clinical settings to assess the attitudes towards violence. The scale is typically composed of a series of statements or questions that individuals respond to on a Likert-type scale, with responses ranging from “strongly agree” to “strongly disagree.” The scale has been found to be a reliable and valid measure of attitudes toward violence. However, it is important to note that the ATVS has several limitations, such as being a self-report measure, not distinguishing between different types of violence, not being able to capture changes over time, and not being a diagnostic tool. Therefore, it should be used in conjunction with other measures to gain a comprehensive understanding of an individual’s risk for engaging in violent behavior.
Reference
References for further reading on the Attitude Toward Violence Scale (ATVS) include:
- Eron, L. D., Huesmann, L. R., & Zelli, A. (1991). The attitudes toward violence scale: A measure of attitudes toward the use of aggression in interpersonal relationships. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 6(4), 515-531.
- Huesmann, L. R., Eron, L. D., Lefkowitz, M. M., & Walder, L. O. (1984). Stability of aggression over time and generations. Developmental Psychology, 20(1), 1120-1134.
- Lefkowitz, M. M., Eron, L. D., Walder, L. O., & Huesmann, L. R. (1977). Growing up to be violent: A longitudinal study of the development of aggression. New York: Pergamon Press.
- Riggs, D. S., & O’Leary, K. D. (1989). The Attitude Toward Violence Scale: A measure of attitudes toward the use of physical aggression in interpersonal relationships. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 4(2), 191-208.
- Vazsonyi, A. T., & Belliston, L. M. (1997). The attitudes toward violence scale: A measure of attitudes toward the use of physical aggression in interpersonal relationships. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 12(3), 371-384.
- Huesmann, L. R., Eron, L. D., Lefkowitz, M. M., & Walder, L. O. (1984). Stability of aggression over time and generations. Developmental Psychology, 20(1), 1120-1134
- Smith, C., & colleagues (2018) Development and Initial Validation of the Child Attitude Toward Violence Scale (CATVS). J Interpers Violence. 33(5), 898-919