Aggressive behavior and the Rosenzweig Picture-Frustration (P-F) Study

The current status of the Rosenzweig Picture-Frustration (P-F) Study, a measure of aggressive verbal behavior in response to frustration at the developmental levels of the child, the adolescent and the adult, is described. Conceived as generically or essentially self-assertive, aggression can be viewed as affirmative or negative, constructive or destructive in effect. Six categories, three under direction and three under type, have been conceptualized to define the modes of aggressive response. These interrelated categories combine into nine scoring factors. Norms at the various age levels have been established, and the reliability and validity of the instrument have veen determined. Pragmatic validity has been shown in the investigation of behavior disorders, psychosomatic conditions, delinquency, school adjustment, and a large variety of vocational and social problems. The P-F has been adapted and standardized world-wide (France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Argentina, Brazil, India, Japan). Its applicability in cross-cultural research has been demonstrated.