ERIC Number: EJ840078
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2009
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0009-3920
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
A Longitudinal Study of Forms and Functions of Aggressive Behavior in Early Childhood
Murray-Close, Dianna; Ostrov, Jamie M.
Child Development, v80 n3 p828-842 May-Jun 2009
The purpose of this study was to investigate the distinct forms (i.e., physical and relational) and functions (i.e., proactive and reactive) of aggressive behavior during early childhood (n = 101; M age = 45.09 months). Forms, but not functions, of aggressive behavior were stable over time. A number of contributors to aggression were associated with distinct subtypes of aggressive behavior. Females and socially dominant children were more relationally aggressive and older children were less physically aggressive than their peers. Longitudinal analyses indicated that social dominance predicted decreases in physical aggression and peer exclusion predicted increases in relational aggression. Overall, the results provide support for the distinction between subtypes of aggression in early childhood.
Descriptors: Aggression, Young Children, Longitudinal Studies, Interpersonal Relationship, Responses, Correlation, Gender Differences, Social Status, Interpersonal Competence, Age Differences, Social Isolation, Peer Relationship, Child Development
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A