The Violence Quiz
Barrington H. Brennen, April 22, 295
PDF
Format - Printer Friendly Version
Are you a violent person?
Social scientists and religious leaders both agree that family relationships
provide the greatest influence on a person’s character development, thus
impacting whether someone will become violent or not. As I stated in
previous articles, “non-violence is a process. Parents hold the primary key
to a non-violent nation. It is in the home where children learn the first
skills of non-violence or violent behavior. It is not in the church or
school. It is not in the yard shooting marbles. It is not on the corner’s
basket ball court. It’s in the home. Mothers and fathers bear responsibility
for the present condition of our nation. Transforming violence to
non-violence must begin with parents.”
THE QUIZ
Answer the questions below in each category to see your potential for
becoming violent. These questions are not intended to replace professional
assessment or treatment. It is a non-scientific approach to help you think
about potential violence in your life. If you answer yes to most of the
questions is each group, you may need professional help.
Temper:
1. Are you quick tempered?
2. Do you have a hot, fiery temper?
3. Do you get angry when you are slowed down by other’s mistakes?
4. Do you feel annoyed when you are not given recognition for doing good
work?
5. When you are mad, do you say nasty things?
6. Do you get furious when others criticize you?
7. Do you get angry when you do a good job and obtain a poor evolution?
Control:
1. You cannot control your angry feelings.
2. You freely express your anger.
3. You have difficulty keeping your cool.
4. You have difficulty being patient with others.
5. You strike out at whatever infuriates you.
6. You have difficulty calming down after being angry.
7. If someone annoys you, you tell him how you feel
8. You enjoy making sarcastic remarks at others.
9. You are very critical of others.
10. You are usually angrier than you are willing to admit
Aggressiveness:
1. When you are criticized , you tend to answer back and protest.
2. You get into fights with other people.
3. You really admire persons who know how to fight with their fists or body.
4. You prefer to listen to Raggae instead of classical music.
5. When you someone shoves you, you try to give him/her a good shove or
punch.
6. Given enough provocation, you may hit another person.
7. You get into fights a littler more than the average person.
8. You have no problem using a weapon (rock, knife, any object) when angry
and tempted to fight.
9. You are suspicious of people who are especially nice to you.
10. When you are mad, you break up things around you.
Remember, if you answered yes to most of these questions, you may need
professional help. These questions are only designed to help you to think
about your behavior. It is not to be used as a professional assessment. If
you have any questions, feel free to call you counselor. The first step in
solving the violence in our county is for each person to take a good look at
self. Let’s start today.
Barrington Brennen is a marriage and family therapist and a specialist in
the treatment of family violence. Send your questions or comments to P.O.
Box N-896, Nassau, Bahamas; or email: question@soencouragement.org, or call
323 8772, or visit the website www.soencouragement.org for this article and
many more.
April 22, 2005
