NCJ Number
227268
Journal
Journal of Experimental Criminology Volume: 5 Issue: 2 Dated: June 2009 Pages: 121-137
Date Published
June 2009
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This paper describes two studies designed to test the validity of one of the most commonly used behavioral aggression measures, the modified Taylor competitive reaction time test (TCRTT).
Abstract
The results from study 1 and study 2 provided little support for the convergent validity of the modified Taylor competitive reaction time test (TCRTT) as a measure of aggression. Consistently across studies, the modified TCRTT failed to perform as expected or as a valid measure of aggression. The use of behavioral tests of aggression has been a source of controversy for decades. Many critics of such measures note that validity studies for these measures are generally lacking. The original version of the TCRTT was composed of participants playing a reaction time game against an "alleged" human opponent, who, in reality, did not exist. Before each trial, the participant set an electric shock level, with the understanding that the opponent would receive that shock as punishment for losing. Alternatively, the participant would be shocked by the opponent if they themselves lost the competition. The TCRTT was modified in later studies to use noise blasts instead of the electric shocks. Several studies suggest they provide evidence for the construct validity of the modified TCRTT as a measure of aggression. However, several researchers have voiced concerns regarding the modified TCRTT as a behavioral measure of aggression. This paper describes the examination of convergent validity of the modified TCRTT through two studies. The first examined the convergent validity of the modified TCRTT with aggression and real world violent acts. The second examined the correlation between the modified TCRTT and neuropsychological tests that have been demonstrated to predict aggression due to frontal lobe deficits. These two tests were designed to test for the validity of the modified TCRTT against both instrumental and hostile aggressive behaviors. Tables and references