Do positive self-perceptions have a "dark side"? Examination of the link between perceptual bias and aggression

The hypothesis that positive self-perceptions may have a "dark side" was in vestigated in the present study by examining the relationship between posit ively biased self-perceptions and aggression. Ratings of actual and perceiv ed social acceptance of third-grade (n = 278), fourth-grade (n = 260), and fifth-grade (n = 321) students were compared to form a measure of perceptua l bias. Peers provided nominations for overt and relational aggression. Gen der differences were found for aggression (males were more overtly and rela tionally aggressive than females) but not perceptual bias. African-American children held more positive perceptions of their social acceptance and wer e perceived by peers as more aggressive than Caucasian children. Even after controlling for the effects of gender and ethnicity, more positively biase d perceptions were associated with more peer nominations for overt and rela tional aggression. Contrary to an optimal range of bias hypothesis, even mo derately positive self-perceptions were associated with elevated levels of aggression.