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Piecing together the aggression puzzle: Testing the mediating variables linking early to later aggression
Christopher P Barlett1, Kaitlyn M Helmstetter1, Douglas A Kowalewski1
1Department of Psychology, Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
Aggressive Behavior
|April 20, 2017
Summary
Early aggression can predict later aggressive behavior. This study reveals that aggressive attributions and motivations mediate this relationship over time, especially when individuals feel provoked.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Longitudinal studies indicate early aggression predicts later aggressive behavior.
- However, the mediating psychological mechanisms require further investigation.
- Previous research identified aggressive motives and hostile attributions as key mediators, but lacked multi-time point aggression measures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the temporal mediating pathways of aggression development.
- To investigate how aggressive attributions and motivations influence aggressive behavior over time.
- To understand the role of provocation in the development of aggression.
Main Methods:
- Ninety participants engaged in a modified Tangram Task over three trials.
- Aggressive motivations, attributions, and behaviors were measured at each trial.
- Participants were subjected to provocation or non-provocation conditions.
Main Results:
- For provoked participants, Time 1 aggressive attributions predicted Time 3 aggressive behavior.
- This prediction was mediated by Time 2 aggressive attributions, Time 2 aggressive behavior, and Time 3 aggressive motivations.
- The findings support a temporal mediation model of aggression.
Conclusions:
- Aggressive attributions and motivations play a crucial role in the longitudinal development of aggressive behavior.
- Provocation appears to activate these mediating pathways.
- Understanding these mechanisms can inform interventions aimed at reducing aggression.