Aggression and its relationship to behavior

Aggression

An Examination of the Relationship Between Aggression and Behavior

The primary focus of this study is an examination of aggression related to behavioral types, in order to determine the extent to which aggression relates to behavior. Three separate aggression analysis scales were used to survey undergraduate students to determine what behavior types and other aggression patterns could be distinguished between men and women.

In addition a comprehensive literature review was developed that examined prior research conducted with regard to aggression and behavior. The results suggest that men are more likely to demonstrate aggression associated with behaviors related to their perceptions of self-esteem and peer pressure, and other behavioral dysfunctions or discomfort. Women are more likely to be the victims of aggression, but will act out when provoked. These ideas are explored in greater detail below.

Literature Review

Aggression and Behavior Types

This study focuses on aggression and behavior types. A majority of the studies that have been conducted in the past suggest that men are more likely than women to be aggressive, a fact supported by statistics which indicate that men are more likely to commit aggressive crimes than women (Chilton & Jarvis, 1999). Other studies suggest that aggression patterns are correlated with behavioral patterns when children are very young (Stanton, Baldwin & Rachuba, 1997).

Behavioral types that are more likely to demonstrate aggression include those that researchers have labeled 'dysfunctional' and may include poor self-esteem, high irritability, overly stressed and anxious personality types (Chilton & Jarvis, 1999; Graham & Wells, 2001). The research available suggests that a number of factors may contribute to these behavioral tendencies including socioeconomic factors, a student's reputation and peer pressure inside and outside of a school or work environment (Bateman, 1998).

Graham & Wells (2001) cite a study conducted by Eagley & Steffen which shows that men are more likely than women to resort to physical aggression when provoked or influenced by other behaviors (p. 595). Still other research supports the notion that men are more likely to score higher than women on personality tests and measures that rank physical aggression (Graham & Wells, 2001).

Graham & Wells (2001) suggest that women tend to be less exposed to physical aggression and that women are more likely to experience aggression among other women. In addition their research supports the notion that different life experiences between men and women result in behavioral differences and aggressive patterns in both sexes (Graham & Wells, 2001).

Interestingly a large body of evidence also supports the notion that when either men or women are in a social setting, the chances for aggression increase exponentially, particularly when alcohol is involved, no matter the person's behavioral type, though individuals who generally label themselves as more anxious or irritable are more likely to demonstrate outwardly aggressive tendencies than those that do not (Dodge, 1991).

Behavioral Correlates to Aggression

From a behavioral standpoint aggression exhibited in males has been linked with behavioral patterns including a concern with honor and face-saving mechanisms, particularly in certain subcultures including the southern U.S. (Graham & Wells, 2001: 595). In other studies male aggression is considered a more 'normative' behavior pattern and among males generally considered more acceptable and pleasurable as an activity (Graham & Wells, 2001).

The primary behavior associated with aggression in females that is suggested by studies is jealousy, though aggression in women has also been linked with previous aggression or misbehavior from another person that incites aggressive activities in the female aggressor (Graham & Wells, 2001). This behavioral trait may be linked to insecurities or peer pressure that causes females to feel the need to compete. Females are more likely to demonstrate female to female aggression rather than aggressive tendencies toward a member of the opposite sex as well (Bateman et. al, 1998).

Other studies suggest that among males aggression can be related to behavioral correlates including reactive and pro-active behavior (Bateman, et. al, 1998). Reactive aggression results from behaviors that are retaliatory in nature and are generally the result of a response to a "perceived provocation" or frustration, and may be demonstrated by either men or women (Bateman et. al, 1998). Proactive aggression is generally aggression that occurs without provocation, and is typically oriented toward accomplishing a specific goal and related to behaviors that are directed toward a position or "object acquisition" (Batemen, et. al, 1998; Dodge, 1991).

Studies do suggest that males with higher rates of behavioral problems generally exhibit more proactive aggressive acts and higher overall rates of aggression than those that do not have behavioral disturbances (Bateman, et. al, 1998). These behavioral problems may include a history of violent criminal activity or perceived 'trouble making' that generally begins at an early age or during the early school years and continues through adulthood (Price & Dodge, 1989).

Price & Dodge (1989) conducted a study which suggests that reactive aggression is more common among individuals who have suffered peer rejection or humiliation. Despite the evidence that generally suggests that men are more likely than women to demonstrate aggressive behaviors, relatively few studies have been conducted that have linked exact behavioral types to aggression. There is evidence to suggest however that whether male of female, individuals whose self-esteem has been damaged or influenced by peer attitudes are more likely to demonstrate aggressive tendencies, particularly during the early years (Dodge, 1991).

As evidence by the literature review above more studies have focused on the gender differences between men and women with regard to aggression. Both sexes were found to demonstrate more aggression behaviors when in a social setting and under the influence of alcohol, regardless of any pre-determined behavioral type, suggesting that alcohol and other environmental factors may play a role in aggression (Bateman, 1998).

Still other studies suggest that aggressive behaviors may be associated with natural or innate biological functions that are geared toward maintaining one's dominance within a social group and may also include territorial defense (Cairns & Stoff, 1996). Aggressive pattern may also be associated with environmental manipulations including severe conditions that result in physical harm or deprivation, sleep loss or even illness or injury (Cairns & Stoff, 1996). Further males are more likely to demonstrate social dominance behaviors or a need to dominate within a peer group than women, which may explain why a majority of the studies that have been conducted in the past seem to associate aggression with male behavior patterns (Cairns & Stoff, 1996).

The literature also supports the notion that behavioral types may be pre-determined by one's environment and social support structure, with individuals living in harsher conditions or those that afford less social support resulting in more dysfunctional and destructive behavior patterns and subsequent aggression (Cairns, & Stoff, 1996). This type of aggression is more often associated with frustration at one's inability to overcome environmental obstacles or feel like they are able to maintain a reasonable social standing within society, and possibly recognition for their efforts or experiences (Cairns & Stoff, 1996).

Literature Summary majority of the literature that has been conducted with regard to aggression and behavior types has focused on gender differences and aggression patterns. There is a clear trend which suggests that females are more likely to demonstrate aggression than males. Behavioral types or factors that are more often associated with aggression in women include jealousy, though women who are not jealous are more likely to react in an aggressive manner when provoked to do so.

Men however are more likely to demonstrate dysfunctional behaviors related to social acceptance and peer pressure that may impact their relative high rates of aggression. In addition males are more likely to demonstrate territorial and controlling behaviors, which may later be associated with more aggressive tendencies (Cairns & Stoff, 1996).

Method

The primary method adopted for purposes of this research is a survey methodology. Survey methodology is continuously supported by researchers and is one of the more commonly used forms of data collection for gathering information about a general or specific social or behavioral phenomena (Church, 2001). Survey based applications provide assessment information that enables the researcher to track attitudes and opinions as well as provides a means for generating a model of behavioral tendencies (Church, 2001).

Generally survey methods also result in a small percentage of variances within the data, usually less than 4% (Church, 2001). In addition this type of methodology provides the researcher with an outlook to develop informed and logical conclusions based on empirical evidence (Church, 2001).

The researcher employed use three different surveys to assess the levels of aggression and types of behaviors exhibited by females and males of varying ages and backgrounds. The primary index used was the Index of Clinical Stress or ICS, a 25 item instrument designed to measure the degree or magnitude clients had with stress (Abell, 1991).

The test reflects the range of perceptions that might be associated with stress as perceived by individuals (Abell, 1991). The ICS was used to examine 205 patients and family members at a family practice residency program in a regional medical center in a midsized southern community.

Population

The mean age of participants was 33 years. The ICS was selected because of its superior internal consistency with an alpha of.96 and "strong factorial validity as well as fair construct validity," correlating in the predicted direction with the Generalized Contentment Scale and Index of Family Relations (Abell, 1991).

The asst or Assertiveness Self Statement test, a "32 item instrument designed to measure self statement in assertion related problems" was also selected for purposes of the study (Schwartz & Gottman, 1976).

This test was selected because of strong construct validity which demonstrates how functional and dysfunctional groups differ in their frequency of positive and negative self-statements (Schwartz & Gottman, 1976).

The Aggressive Inventory (AI), a "30 item instrument that measures aggressive traits was also used, where respondent rated items on a five point scale in order to determine whether or not a particular statement applied to them in the context of aggression" (Gladue, 1991). The population examined using this test were 960 undergraduate students enrolled in introductory psychology classes.

A survey approach to the research was conducted in order to provide empirical data with which the researcher could combine information gained from the literature review with information gained from field research in order to draw conclusions regarding the aggressive tendencies and behavioral patterns of participants. From the information acquired from surveys and literature the researcher developed a theory of aggression and behavioral patterns.

Results

The results of the AI study showed that the mean subscale scores for women were PA=1.82; VA=2.58, II=2.68 and Avoid=3.06. For men the results were 2.34 for PA, 3.04 for VA, 2.80 for II and 2.85 for avoid.

Overall the results from the three combined surveys tend to indicate that both men and women were likely to demonstrate aggressive tendencies, which is similar to information presented in the literature review which suggests that both men and women exhibit aggressive tendencies in varying situation (Graham & Wells, 2001). Men were more likely to admit to aggression resulting from irritation and women were more likely to report aggression in response to environmental stimulus or as a reactive response to acts of another person that were perceived as aggressive in nature. This too correlates with information gathered from the research which suggests that women are more likely to demonstrate aggression as a reactive response and that men are more likely to demonstrate aggression in response to reactive and proactive situations or stimuli (Bateman, et. al, 1998).

In addition, within both groups individuals that reported more self-perceived negativity were more likely to admit to aggressive tendencies than those that did not report any negative self-evaluations. Groups that might be considered 'dysfunctional' are more likely to report negative self statements and resulting aggressive tendencies than those that were deemed more functional. This information agrees with statements uncovered in the literature analysis that show that from a young age, individuals with behavioral problems are much more likely to demonstrate aggressive behaviors in adulthood and throughout childhood than those that do not demonstrate behavioral problems early on (Bateman, 1998).