1. Gender Differences in Aggression
PSY 345
Dr. Blakemore

3. Aggression
typically defined as behavior that is intended to hurt or harm another, or that is perceived by the victim as hurtful
One large category is often called direct aggression
It can include physical aggression such as hitting or kicking
verbal aggression such as insulting someone or calling them names
may include fantasy aggression such as pretending to harm another, or thinking or dreaming about it
Another is often called indirect aggression (as well as other names like social or relational aggression)
in which people harm others my manipulating or harming their social relationships or social standing, or perhaps their self-esteem (although direct aggression can do that too)
can include gossiping, spreading rumors, or the purposeful exclusion of others
Let’s not play with her or you can’t be my friend if you’re her friend

4. Direct aggression Physical usually declines as children grow older
For direct aggression (physical, verbal, etc.), overall d about .4 to .9
Gender difference in physical seems to get larger in early childhood, but not clear if the difference goes up or down with age
Boys and men more aggressive in all direct ways (physical, verbal, fantasy, etc.)
Generally found in all cultures where aggression is found to any degree

5. Direct aggression in close relationships
Family members, siblings, parents and children, dating partners, spouses
Depends on how serious, and how measured, but
Especially in adolescence and beyond, males and females seem to hit, slap, push, etc., their partners with relatively equal frequency
More later on domestic violence, now typically called intimate-partner violence

6. Indirect aggression
Several different research teams started looking into this in the 90s (some before)
Many media reports picked on the idea that girls do this (mean girls phenomenon)
It hasn’t been clear whether they do it more often until a recent meta-analysis, which suggests that there is no gender difference
An interesting question is why so many people think girls and women do it more.