Patterns of aggression in New Zealand children

Abstract

Social aggression is a covert form of aggression, used to damage the self-esteem and/ or status of another. Previous research has shown that girls tend to utilize this form of aggression more often than physical aggression. It is controversial as to whether they use social aggression more often than boys, however. The current study investigated this question through attempting to determine the prevalence of social and physical/ verbal aggression in a sample of New Zealand primary school children. Factors that may coincide with or contribute to social aggression were also explored. Eight to 12- year old children were asked to complete 6 tasks, measuring gender stereotypes, facial emotional recognition, empathy, peer ratings of social behaviour, understanding of social faux pas and attitudes about aggression. It was found that boys were more physically, verbally, and socially aggressive than girls. Consistent with previous research, girls preferred to use social aggression over physical and verbal aggression.