TY - JOUR
T1 - Disentangling the "whys" from the "whats" of aggressive behaviour
AU - Little, Todd D.
AU - Henrich, Christopher C.
AU - Jones, Stephanie M.
AU - Hawley, Patricia H.
PY - 2003/3
Y1 - 2003/3
N2 - We examined the validity of a measurement system for the study of aggression that distinguishes among four principle dimensions of aggressive behaviour: overt and relational aggression (i.e., the "whats") and instrumental and reactive aggression (i.e., the "whys"). The sample comprised 1723 adolescents (Grades 5 through 10) from Berlin, Germany. The internal validity of the measurement system was strongly supported, revealing four discrete dimensions of aggression: two overriding forms (overt and relational) and two underlying functions (instrumental and reactive). The differential and unique patterns of criterion-related validity strongly supported the distinctions among the constructs. The importance of disentangling these dimensions in understanding the development of aggressive behaviour is discussed.
AB - We examined the validity of a measurement system for the study of aggression that distinguishes among four principle dimensions of aggressive behaviour: overt and relational aggression (i.e., the "whats") and instrumental and reactive aggression (i.e., the "whys"). The sample comprised 1723 adolescents (Grades 5 through 10) from Berlin, Germany. The internal validity of the measurement system was strongly supported, revealing four discrete dimensions of aggression: two overriding forms (overt and relational) and two underlying functions (instrumental and reactive). The differential and unique patterns of criterion-related validity strongly supported the distinctions among the constructs. The importance of disentangling these dimensions in understanding the development of aggressive behaviour is discussed.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0037372046&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/01650250244000128
DO - 10.1080/01650250244000128
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:0037372046
SN - 0165-0254
VL - 27
SP - 122
EP - 133
JO - International Journal of Behavioral Development
JF - International Journal of Behavioral Development
IS - 2
ER -