DO MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES INFLUENCE FAMILY REACTIONS TO PHYSICAL AGGRESSION

The influence of mitigating circumstances on family reactions to physi cal aggression was investigated. 40 families, each with a 2- and a 4-y ear-old child, were observed during home interactions, and parents' an d older children's beliefs concerning mitigation were also assessed. A lthough parents considered sibling physical aggression to be a serious transgression, they believed that mitigated aggression of both of the ir children was more excusable and they intervened less often to prohi bit mitigated than nonmitigated aggression, even when the aggression w as severe. Older children also believed that mitigated aggression dese rved less punishment. Provocation, reciprocity, and lack of aggressive intent occurred as mitigating circumstances in the observations. When family members' reactions to these individual circumstances were exam ined, discrepancies arose in judgments of which specific mitigations j ustified aggression. These findings were discussed in terms of the cla rity of a parent's message, children's appraisals of it, differing con flict roles, and society's impact.