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Indirect peer aggression in adolescence and reproductive behavior.
Daniel D White1, Andrew C Gallup, Gordon G Gallup
1Department of Anthropology, University at Albany, SUNY, Albany, New York, USA. ddwhite@alumni.albany.edu
Summary
Indirect aggression in adolescence links to reproductive opportunities. Females using indirect aggression had earlier sexual activity, while victims experienced later sexual activity, supporting evolutionary competition theories.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary psychology
- Social psychology
- Developmental psychology
Background:
- Indirect aggression is theorized as a strategy for adolescent intrasexual competition.
- Competition may focus on acquiring resources, status, and mating opportunities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the retrospective relationship between adolescent indirect aggression/victimization and reproductive opportunities in young adults.
- To determine if aggression or victimization predicts measures of reproductive success.
Main Methods:
- Survey data collected from 143 young adults on adolescent indirect aggression and victimization.
- Reproductive opportunity measures included age at first sexual intercourse and lifetime sex partners.
- Principal components analysis used to develop factors from 16 aggression/victimization variables.
Main Results:
- Adolescent indirect aggression in females correlated with earlier age at first sexual intercourse.
- Adolescent indirect victimization in females correlated with later age at first sexual intercourse.
- No significant associations found for males or for number of lifetime sex partners.
Conclusions:
- Findings suggest sex-specific pathways linking adolescent indirect aggression and victimization to reproductive timing.
- Results support evolutionary perspectives on intrasexual competition and its influence on mating strategies.
- Indirect aggression may serve as a reproductive strategy for females, while victimization may hinder it.
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