Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 16, 2026
09:12
The Resident-intruder Paradigm: A Standardized Test for Aggression, Violence and Social Stress
Published on: July 4, 2013
73.2K
Gene-environment correlation linking aggression and peer victimization: do classroom behavioral norms matter?
Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology
|February 28, 2015
Summary
Genetic predispositions for aggression increase victimization risk only when classroom norms disapprove. Conversely, favorable norms may protect aggressive children from peer victimization, highlighting the importance of social context in bullying.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Behavioral Genetics
- Social Psychology
Background:
- Gene-environment correlations (rGE) explain how genetic predispositions can influence environmental exposures.
- Understanding the interplay between genetic factors and social environments is crucial for explaining aggressive and victim behaviors in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if genetic dispositions for physical or relational aggression correlate with peer victimization.
- To examine if classroom norms regarding aggression moderate this gene-environment correlation.
Main Methods:
- A genetically informed design using 197 Monozygotic and Dizygotic twin pairs in 4th grade.
- Peer nominations assessed physical aggression, relational aggression, and classroom norm salience.
- Self-reports measured peer victimization.
Main Results:
- Children with genetic aggression predispositions face higher victimization risk when classroom norms are unfavorable.
- Favorable classroom norms toward aggression may offer a protective effect against victimization for genetically predisposed children.
- This suggests a significant moderating role of the classroom social environment.
Conclusions:
- Bullying interventions should consider the broader peer context, not just individual victim and bully characteristics.
- The social environment, specifically classroom norms, significantly influences the expression of genetic predispositions for aggression and victimization.
- rGE is a critical factor in understanding peer victimization dynamics.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Gene-Environment Interactions
1.6K
Gene expression is a dynamic process that is significantly influenced by environmental factors. This interaction underlies the complex nature of biological development and the phenotypic differences observed among individuals, even among those with identical genetic makeups. Factors such as radiation, temperature, behavior, nutrition, and stress play pivotal roles in determining how genes are expressed. The concept of the reaction range is central to understanding this interaction. It posits...
1.6K
01:28Causes of Social Behavior III: Biological and Environmental Influences
479
Social behavior is a complex phenomenon that arises from the interaction between biological predispositions and environmental influences. This intricate interplay shapes how individuals think, feel, and act in various social contexts. Understanding these mechanisms requires insights from psychology, neuroscience, genetics, and evolutionary theory.Environmental Influences on Social BehaviorEnvironmental factors, including temperature, odors, and visual stimuli, play a crucial role in shaping...
479
02:04Bullying
9.0K
A modern form of aggression is bullying. As you learn in your study of child development, socializing and playing with other children is beneficial for children’s psychological development. However, as you may have experienced as a child, not all play behavior has positive outcomes. Some children are aggressive and want to play roughly. Other children are selfish and do not want to share toys. One form of negative social interactions among children that has become a national concern is...
9.0K
02:27Background and Environment Affect Phenotype
8.2K
Although the genetic makeup of an organism plays a major role in determining the phenotype, there are also several environmental factors, such as temperature, oxygen availability, presence of mutagens, that can alter an organism’s phenotype.
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
8.2K
01:47Aggression
30.7K
Humans engage in aggression when they seek to cause harm or pain to another person. Aggression takes two forms depending on one’s motives: hostile or instrumental. Hostile aggression is motivated by feelings of anger with intent to cause pain; a fight in a bar with a stranger is an example of hostile aggression. In contrast, instrumental aggression is motivated by achieving a goal and does not necessarily involve intent to cause pain (Berkowitz, 1993); a contract killer who murders for...
30.7K
01:21Secondary Motives: Affiliation Motivation and Aggression Motivation
954
Affiliation motivation is the intrinsic desire to connect with others and belong to a social group, which plays a crucial role in forming and maintaining personal relationships. This type of motivation is essential for psychological well-being, as it provides individuals with a sense of community and support. An example of this is a student who joins a study group in order to feel a sense of connection. People with high affiliation motivation actively seek social approval, take satisfaction in...
954