TYPES OF AGGRESSIVE-BEHAVIOR AMONG AGGRESSIVE-PREFERRED, AGGRESSIVE NONPREFERRED, NONAGGRESSIVE PREFERRED AND NONAGGRESSIVE NONPREFERRED 14-YEAR-OLD ADOLESCENTS

This study examined differences in the types of aggressive behavior am ong aggressive-preferred, aggressive non-preferred, non-aggressive pre ferred and non-aggressive non-preferred adolescents. The subjects numb ered 839 14-year-old adolescents (408 girls and 431 boys). Aggressive behavior as well as social preference, i.e. popularity and rejection, were assessed by peer nominations. The types of aggressive behavior me asured were intriguing, arguing, fighting and bullying. The results sh owed that not only the level, but also the types of aggressive behavio r differentiated aggressive adolescents from the non-aggressive ones, and preferred adolescents from the non-preferred ones. The aggression profile of the aggressive and rejected adolescents was characterized m ore by intriguing and bullying than arguing or fighting. In contrast, that of non-aggressive adolescents was dominated more by arguing and f ighting than intriguing. The results pointed to a more complex relatio nship between aggressive behavior and social preference than the gener al assumption that there is a higher rate of rejection among aggressiv e adolescents, and a higher rate of popularity among non-aggressive on es. Significant gender differences were also found. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.