How long does this quiz take?

This quiz takes about 5-7 minutes to complete.

Are my responses private?

Yes, all answers are anonymized and confidential.

Can I take this test more than once?

Yes, you can retake the test any time to see how your results may have changed.

Will this quiz diagnose me with a personality disorder?

No. This scale is a self-reflection tool, not a clinical diagnosis.

Can my results help improve my relationships?

Yes. Understanding passive-aggressive patterns can help you communicate more directly and constructively.

Discover your level of passive-aggressive behavior with this research-based psychological scale.

Passive Aggression Scale

A science-backed way to understand indirect hostility and avoidance patterns.

By Mark Travers, Ph.D. | Last Updated: December 23, 2025

Reviewed for clinical accuracy by Jourdan Travers, LCSW

Passive aggression refers to the indirect expression of anger, resentment, or hostility, often through avoidance, procrastination, sarcasm, or silent treatment. Because these behaviors are subtle and socially masked, they can be difficult to recognize in ourselves. The Passive Aggression Scale (PAS) was developed to bring clarity to these hidden interpersonal patterns.

Created and validated by psychologists Young-Ok Lim and Kyung-Hyun Suh, the PAS measures a wide range of passive-aggressive behaviors, from covert social sabotage to intentional inefficiency and withdrawal. The scale provides insight into how unresolved emotions may be expressed indirectly, particularly in relationships, workplaces, and social settings.

If you’re interested in how emotions show up beneath the surface, you may also find the Anger Management Scale or the Ineffective Arguing Inventory helpful for gaining a fuller picture of your emotional and communication style.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does this quiz take?: This quiz takes about 5-7 minutes to complete.
Are my responses private?: Yes, all Passive Aggression Scale answers are anonymized and confidential.
Can I take this test more than once?: Yes, you can retake the test any time to see how your Passive Aggression Scale results may have changed.
Will this quiz diagnose me with a personality disorder?: No. This scale is a self-reflection tool, not a clinical diagnosis.
Can my results help improve my relationships?: Yes. Understanding passive-aggressive patterns can help you communicate more directly and constructively.

Passive Aggression Scale: Take The 21-Item Test

Step 1: Rate Your Passive-Aggressive Tendencies

For each statement, indicate how likely you are to engage in the behavior on a scale of 1 (Never) to 5 (Very Often). For best results, answer honestly and trust your first instinct.

1. When I talk about someone I dislike or find uncomfortable, I pretend to praise their strengths but also drop hints about their weaknesses.

2. I tattle on mistakes made by someone I don't like or find uncomfortable to a higher authority to ruin their reputation.

3. I intentionally reveal embarrassing events or the dark pasts of someone I dislike or find uncomfortable in public.

4. I ask someone I don't like or find uncomfortable questions they can't answer in front of others to make them uncomfortable.

5. I mock someone I don't like or find uncomfortable by being sarcastic and pretending it's just a joke.

6. When I have something I want to say about someone I dislike or find uncomfortable, I talk about it with others in plain sight of them.

7. I pretend I am the victim to give someone I dislike or find uncomfortable a hard time.

8. I purposefully avoid eye contact with someone I don't like or find uncomfortable.

9. When I meet someone I dislike or find uncomfortable, I try to get away from them intentionally.

10. I cut ties with someone I dislike or find uncomfortable even though I know they want to get in touch with me.

11. When someone I dislike or find uncomfortable tries to connect with me by phone, I deliberately ignore them.

12. I give someone I dislike or find uncomfortable the silent treatment.

13. When someone on social media I dislike or find uncomfortable asks me a question, I pretend I never saw it.

14. I have a cold and dismissive attitude toward someone I dislike or find uncomfortable.

15. I deliberately delay someone I dislike or find uncomfortable to give them a hard time.

16. I pretend to help someone I dislike or find uncomfortable but sabotage their work behind their back.

17. When I work with someone I dislike or find uncomfortable, I intentionally don’t do my share of the work.

18. I come up with excuses and say things like “I forgot” to someone I dislike or find uncomfortable.

19. I deliberately procrastinate when someone I dislike or find uncomfortable asks me to do something.

20. When someone I dislike or find uncomfortable asks me for a favor, I do a sloppy job.

21. When someone I dislike or find uncomfortable asks me to do something, I don’t do it properly and make excuses.

Step 2: Enter Your Demographics

Provide your age, gender, region, and first name for a detailed report comparing your results to others.

What is your age?

What is your gender?

What region of the world do you live in?

What is your first name?

Step 3: Submit Your Passive Aggression Scale Answers

After completing all questions, click below to send your responses to Mark Travers, Ph.D. All answers are anonymized and confidential.

References

Lim, Y. O., & Suh, K. H. (2022). Development and validation of a measure of passive aggression traits: The Passive Aggression Scale (PAS). Behavioral Sciences, 12(8), 273.

Disclaimer

This scale is designed for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment.