Naughty or Nice: An exploration of overt and relational aggression at the collegiate level Julie Witherup Teela Myers Hanover College

Types of Aggression Crick and Grotpeter (1995) Overt Aggression –Harming others through physical damage or the threat of such damage (e.g., pushing). Relational Aggression –Harming others through damage to peer relationships or the threat of such damage (e.g., spreading rumors).

Gender Differences Crick and Grotpeter (1995) Boys were significantly more overtly aggressive than girls. Girls were significantly more relationally aggressive than boys.

Consequences of Relational Aggression Relational aggression is associated with problems in peer relationships, higher levels of depression, and lower levels of self-esteem (Crick and Grotpeter, 1995; Crick, Casas, & Nelson, 2002; Crocker, 2002).

We are examining aggression at the college level. We are examining aggression from the viewpoint of both the aggressors and victims. We are examining aggression using both surveys and qualitative methods. Why is our study important?

Research Questions Do males and females differ in their level of involvement in aggression and victimization? Does involvement in aggression and victimization predict self-esteem? Does victimization predict aggression?

Method: Part I Surveys Participants: –60 students (37 female, 23 male) Measures: –Aggression and victimization scales –Self-esteem

Overt Aggression Scales Aggressor’s Scale (α =.86) –“How often do you react by hitting a person when that person angers or provokes you?” Victim’s Scale (α =.90) –“How often do you get pushed or shoved by peers?”

Relational Aggression Scales Aggressor’s Scale (α =.87) –“When I am mad, I retaliate by excluding others from activities.” Victim’s Scale (α =.86) –“How often do peers spread lies about you to make other people dislike you?”

Self-Esteem Scale Rosenberg Self-Esteem Inventory (α =.82) –“On the whole I am satisfied with myself.”

Method: Part II Scenarios Participants: –35 students from Part I (23 females, 12 males) 12 Open-ended Scenarios: –“Your significant other tells you that Lilly has been saying negative things about you in an attempt to get your significant other to break up with you. What do you do?”

Qualitative Analyses 4 Raters: –Two Research Methods students –Us! Coding Procedure –Coded levels of overt and relational aggression using a four point scale (αs =.71 to.99)

Aggression by Gender Survey Data ** ** p <.01

Aggression by Gender Scenario Data ** ** p <.01

Victimization by Gender Survey Data *** *** p <.001

Correlations Self- Esteem Overt Aggression Relational Aggression Overt Victimization Relational Victimization Self-Esteem 1 Overt Aggression Relational Aggression.05.53***1 Overt Victimization ***.41***1 Relational Victimization *.46***.44***1 * p <.05, *** p <.001

Supporting Scenario Question “Harold and Trey keep talking about this awesome party they are going to this weekend. It is Thursday and they have not asked you to go with them yet. This is the third time they have not invited you to go places with them this month. What do you do?

Supporting Scenario Response “I would ask then questions about the party, hinting that I want to go. Then after they still don’t invite me, I just leave the room and go to another friend’s room and complain about how rude they were being. I will probably be a bit bitter about the whole situation and not be extra nice and friendly around them for a while. I won’t ask them to join me for future events probably.”

Discussion Significant gender difference emerged in overt and relational aggression and victimization. Self-esteem did not predict levels of aggression or victimization. Victimization significantly predicts aggression.

Future Research Larger, diverse samples Assess negative outcomes of aggression in addition to self-esteem More in-depth look at the relational and overt cycle

Questions?

References Crick, N. R., & Grotpeter, J. K. (1995). Relational Aggression, Gender, and Social-Psychological Adjustment. Child Development, 66, Crick, N. R., Casas, J. F., & Nelson, D. A. (2002). Toward a more comprehensive understanding of peer maltreatment: Studies of relational victimization. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 11, Crocker, J. (2002). The costs of seeking self-esteem. Journal of Social Issues, 58,