Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: Using data provided by a panel of non-Hispanic white respondents (males=1,323 and females=1,427) examined in early adolescence and young adulthood, this study explored whether aggressive response to severe role stress is dependent upon gender identification and prior history of aggression. Logistic regression analysis yielded findings as follows: 1) Men who reported aggression during early adolescence are significantly more likely to respond to severe role stress with aggression while men who were not aggressive in adolescence do not report much increase in aggression under the similar circumstances. 2) For young women, however, role stress increases aggression only among those who did not report aggression in early adolescence. For those who reported aggression during adolescence, the effect is positive but weak. These findings are interpreted using principles of socialization, gendered role expectations, and strain perspective.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Several theories predict that violent video game play will lead to various aggressive effects. Yet, some have argued that the opposite may occur: playing a violent video game may reduce aggressive effects. Until now this cathartic effect for violent video game play has not been empirically demonstrated. The present research attempts to reconcile the predictions of catharsis theory with several opposing theories by taking into account the role of aggressive personality. Study 1 (n = 64) found that violent video game play caused more aggressive affect than did non-violent video game play for those low in trait aggressiveness. Conversely, and in support of catharsis theory, study 1 also found that violent video game play caused less aggressive affect than did non-violent video game play for those high in trait aggressiveness. Study 2 (n = 62) found a similar pattern of effects on aggressive behavioral tendencies.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: This investigation compares perceptions of verbal aggression (VA) and argumentativeness in television situation comedies. One of two popular situational comedies were viewed by participants; one including a predominantly white cast and the other including a predominantly black cast of characters. After viewing, participants completed a survey indicating their perceptions of the sitcom including the number of verbally aggressive messages they observed, and their overall perception of argumentative and verbally aggressive conduct. Results showed significant differences in actual and perceived number of VA messages within each episode; and differences in perceptions of verbal aggressive conduct between the two episodes. Implications for results, limitations, and suggestions for future research are provided.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: This paper empirically examines the information processing model developed by Dodge and Crick as an explanation for differences in aggressive and antisocial behavior amongst primary school children. It will distinguish two aspects of hostile attribution bias, namely the tendency to perceive aggressive emotions in other people and the propensity to attribute hostile intentions. Both can be expected to independently contribute to aggressive and antisocial behaviour over the life-course.
Analyses will be based on the first wave of data of the Zurich Project on the Social Development of Children, a longitudinal study of 1300 children. First results suggest that deficits in emotion recognition and the propensity for hostile attributions in ambiguous situations significantly increase aggressive and antisocial behaviour both according to teacher ratings and child self-report data.

Publication Type: Poster
Abstract: Some criminological theories emphasize the importance of embodied traits in children such as low self control, while others stress the roles of social and structural forces in the criminogenic process. This study investigates the effects of parental behaviours on the formation of aggression, indirect aggression and misconduct, while controlling for other effects that theoretically impact children’s behaviour, such as supervision, family structure, parental characteristics. The study uses a sample of school-aged children from the Canadian National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth (N>4,500) to examine which parental behaviours are the most consequential for children’s behaviour.