GENDER DIFFERENCES IN CHILDRENS NORMATIVE BELIEFS ABOUT AGGRESSION - HOW DO I HURT THEE - LET ME COUNT THE WAYS

This research was designed to assess whether children view relationall y manipulative behaviors (i.e., those behaviors labeled relational agg ression in past research) as ''aggressive.'' 2 studies were conducted to evaluate whether children view relationally manipulative behaviors as associated with 2 defining features of aggression, anger (Study 1) and intent to harm (Study 2). Results of Study 1 (n = 459, 9-12-year-o lds) indicated that relational aggression was the most frequently cite d angry behavior for girls' interactions whereas physical aggression w as the most frequently cited angry behavior for boys' interactions. Re sults of Study 2 (n = 60, 9-11-year-olds) demonstrated that relational aggression and verbal insults were the most frequently cited harmful behaviors for girls whereas physical aggression and verbal insults wer e the most frequently cited harmful behaviors for boys. These studies provide the first evidence that children view relationally manipulativ e acts (relational aggression) as angry, harmful behaviors (i.e., as ' 'aggressive'').