Individual characteristics and peer group membership type in 7th grade was examined in relation to school dropout. Peer group type was characterized according to the proportion of group members who were high on teacher-rated aggression and popularity. Both aggressive and popular group types were linked to dropping out. (Contains 43 references and…

Data from 6 sites in 3 countries were examined to determine developmental course of physical aggression in childhood and to analyze linkages to violent and nonviolent offending outcomes in adolescence. Findings indicated that among boys, chronic physical aggression during elementary school years increased risk for continued physical violence and…

Examines three factors that may place adolescents at risk for aggression and violence: personality, affect, and family. Using a sample of male adolescents at risk for violence, a cluster analysis was conducted to categorize these adolescents in terms of personality characteristics. Concludes that, among male delinquents, elevated psychopathology…

Notes that Juvonen and Graham's edited work brings together perspectives on peer harassment from eight different countries in articles ranging from a focus on the individual as victim or bully to group processes that support peer harassment in school, and theoretical perspectives. Considers the book valuable for scholars interested in peer…

Points out that competition is inevitable and that it is a means, not an end, in itself. Urges that passions involved in competitive situations not be denied but understood. Suggests that it is only through the understanding of such passions that we can maintain a balance between aggression and compliance. (KO)

Administered two death anxiety measures and personality questionnaire to 161 undergraduates. Results revealed that death anxiety scores were significantly related to neuroticism and to Type A behavior patterns, such that high death anxiety was correlated with greater emotionality and more aggressiveness. Neuroticism, Type A behaviors,…

Tested 2 models of the effect of social cognition on the link between child adjustment and the 2 family risk factors of maltreatment and parental psychopathology. In 83 subjects of 7-14 years, maltreatment predicted aggression and peer rejection, but parental psychopathology did not. Adjustment of subjects with a disturbed parent depended on…

Examined effects of parental psychopathology and maltreatment on behavior of 102 children with mean ages of 9.75 years. Parental psychiatric status and maltreatment interacted significantly, so that offspring of schizophrenic parents from maltreating families showed increases in externalized behavior problems over time. (RJC)

Investigates physical and verbal aggression among 396 children of 15-16 years. Boys were involved in peer-group fights more often than girls, and responded in an aggressive manner to fights between peers. Boys believed more often than girls that their peers considered physical aggression to be clever or smart. (RJC)

This case study illustrates the highly significant language difficulties, marked memory deficits, and propensity for physical aggression following temporal lobe damage brought about by herpes encephalitis, and presents the usefulness of a new diagnostic measure in delineating such a variable cognitive pattern. (Author)

Investigates influence of three variables--sex of stimulus person, sex type of subject, and sex of subject--on ratings of the social perception of anger expression. Finds that the variables were important predictors of perceptions of anger, and that type of anger response unexpectedly influenced ratings. (MW)

Teachers working with disturbed children must reframe their concept of the classroom to include affirmation and validation of the children's real-life experiences. Since wounded students who externalize their pain often project it onto those closest to them, teachers should be prepared to engage rather than withdraw. (JPS)

Videocameras and wireless microphones were used to study the peer relations of aggressive and nonaggressive children on playgrounds at two schools. Aggressive children were found to be verbally and physically aggressive once every 3 and 8 minutes, respectively, while nonaggressive children were found to be verbally and physically aggressive once…

Questioned 2,291 American males to determine the proportion of men who assault only extrafamilial persons, are violent only toward their wives, and are violent in both spheres. Results suggest that 90 percent of violent males specialized in their choice of victims, choosing to assault only wives or nonfamily members, but not both. (RJM)

A study of 3-5 year olds in child care focused on the children's real and pretend aggression, rough-and-tumble play, and nonaggressive pretend play. Results suggest that toy gun play and parental punishment are positively associated with a high level of real aggression but not of pretend aggression. (LB)