The distinction between beliefs legitimizing aggression and deviant processing of social cues: Testing measurement validity and the hypothesis that biased processing mediates the effects of beliefs on aggression

In 2 studies the authors examined knowledge and social information-processi ng mechanisms as 2 distinct sources of influence on child aggression. Data were collected from 387 boys and girls of diverse ethnicity in 3 successive years. In Study 1, confirmatory factor analyses demonstrated the discrimin ant validity of the knowledge construct of aggression beliefs and the proce ssing constructs of hostile intent attributions, accessing of aggressive re sponses, and positive evaluation of aggressive outcomes. In Study 2, struct ural equation modeling analyses were used to test the mediation hypothesis that aggression beliefs would influence child aggression through the effect s of deviant processing. A stronger belief that aggressive retaliation is a cceptable predicted more deviant processing 1 year later and more aggressio n 2 years later. However, this latter effect was substantially accounted fo r by the intervening effects of deviant processing on aggression.