Abstract
The concurrent validity of the Children's Action Tendency Scale (CATS), a self-report measure of aggressiveness, assertiveness, and submissiveness, was assessed using behavioral observations in naturalistic settings. Forty-five third- to fifth-grade children were observed over an 8-month period in a wide variety of school (and school-related) activities. Scores on the CATS sub-scales were found to correlate significantly with a variety of behavioral indices of aggressiveness, assertiveness, and submissiveness; these correlations tended to be higher for boys than for girls. Explanations for these sex differences and recommendations for the questionnaire's use are offered.
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This investigation was supported by Grant 1 R03 MH37520-01 from the National Institute of Mental Health. The author wishes to extend his appreciation to Sister Jean O'Connor and to the teachers, parents, and children of the St. Philip and St. James School for their support, patience, and participation. Many thanks are offered to my “observers,” Corinne Norton, Patti Chiriboga, Pat Bertel, Amanda Fluharty, Terri Meyer, Laura Milner, Achina Palanki, Renee Pinter, Susan Brager, and (in particular) Janice Fitzkee Brown, Pat Lackey, Pam Leclerc, and Linda Hom. Gratitude is also extended to Valerie Pereira for her contributions in the early stages of the study and to Barbara Medine Deluty for her assistance in the data analysis.
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Deluty, R.H. Behavioral validation of the Children's Action Tendency Scale. Journal of Behavioral Assessment 6, 115–130 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01350167
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01350167