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Reactive and proactive aggression in childhood: relations to peer status and social context dimensions.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Price, JM; Dodge, KA
Published in: Journal of abnormal child psychology
August 1989

Although there has been an accumulation of evidence to suggest a link between peer-directed aggression and social rejection, little attention has been given to the relations between specific subtypes of aggressive behavior and social rejection. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the relations between two subtypes of aggressive behavior (reactive and proactive aggression) and children's classroom peer status. The reciprocity of each of these subtypes of aggressive behavior and the social contexts in which these behaviors occur were also examined. Assessments of each of these forms of aggression among 70 boys (ages 5 and 6) were conducted using direct observations and teacher ratings. In general, directing reactive aggressive behavior toward peers was associated with social rejection, while utilization of instrumental aggression was positively related to peer status. The findings also indicated that directing proactive forms of aggression toward peers was related to being the target of proactive aggression. Finally, among older boys, both subtypes of aggression were more likely to occur during rough play than during any other type of play activity.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Journal of abnormal child psychology

DOI

EISSN

1573-2835

ISSN

0091-0627

Publication Date

August 1989

Volume

17

Issue

4

Start / End Page

455 / 471

Related Subject Headings

  • Social Adjustment
  • Rejection, Psychology
  • Play and Playthings
  • Peer Group
  • Male
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Humans
  • Frustration
  • Developmental & Child Psychology
  • Cooperative Behavior
 

Citation

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Price, J. M., & Dodge, K. A. (1989). Reactive and proactive aggression in childhood: relations to peer status and social context dimensions. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 17(4), 455–471. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf00915038
Price, J. M., and K. A. Dodge. “Reactive and proactive aggression in childhood: relations to peer status and social context dimensions.Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology 17, no. 4 (August 1989): 455–71. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf00915038.
Price JM, Dodge KA. Reactive and proactive aggression in childhood: relations to peer status and social context dimensions. Journal of abnormal child psychology. 1989 Aug;17(4):455–71.
Price, J. M., and K. A. Dodge. “Reactive and proactive aggression in childhood: relations to peer status and social context dimensions.Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, vol. 17, no. 4, Aug. 1989, pp. 455–71. Epmc, doi:10.1007/bf00915038.
Price JM, Dodge KA. Reactive and proactive aggression in childhood: relations to peer status and social context dimensions. Journal of abnormal child psychology. 1989 Aug;17(4):455–471.
Journal cover image

Published In

Journal of abnormal child psychology

DOI

EISSN

1573-2835

ISSN

0091-0627

Publication Date

August 1989

Volume

17

Issue

4

Start / End Page

455 / 471

Related Subject Headings

  • Social Adjustment
  • Rejection, Psychology
  • Play and Playthings
  • Peer Group
  • Male
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Humans
  • Frustration
  • Developmental & Child Psychology
  • Cooperative Behavior