Prior studies on aggressions show that males display higher instances of aggression than females and has been explained as a lack of aggressive behavior in females; however, Crick and Grotpeter (1995) found that females focus on relational issues and exhibit their aggressions in a more indirect fashion (pp. 710-711). A study by Crick, Bigbee, and Howes (1996) found that children viewed relational aggression as a normal behavior, especially in interactions among females (p. 1007). This lack of social freedom to genuinely relate to one another can result in hiding of emotions and participation in covert aggressions against peers (Crothers et al., 2005, p. 350).
Types of Aggressions
Aggression can be categorized into four …show more content…
220) and generally have four motivating factors (Crothers et al., 2005, p. 352). The first factor of jealousy stems from insecurity, unhappiness, or the feeling that one person should not have it all (Brock, 2008, p. 216 & 219). After the initial aggression it is as if consent has been given to other peers to dislike the recipient (Crothers et al., 2005, p. 352). The second factor is entertainment and comes about from experiencing joy from another’s misery. In this form, it is used as a tool to take another individual down a notch (Crothers et al., 2005, p. 352). Social status is the third factor and is brought about by wanting to keep current status or move up in status (Crothers et al., 2005, p. 352). This would also include the want to attack someone because they failed to keep within social norms (Brock, 2008, p. 219). This works because those initiating the behaviors are likely to gain a step up, whereas those on the receiving end experience a step down (Crothers et al., 2005, p. 352). The final factor is deflection. This stems from the fear that negative attention could be coming their way. By choosing to strike first the initiator has directed attention elsewhere (Crothers et al., 2005, p.