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Dominance, aggression, and the functional use of space in institutionalized female adolescents
Author(s) -
Deutsch Robert D.,
Esser Aristide H.,
Sossin K. Mark
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
aggressive behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.223
H-Index - 92
eISSN - 1098-2337
pISSN - 0096-140X
DOI - 10.1002/1098-2337(1978)4:4<313::aid-ab2480040403>3.0.co;2-n
Subject(s) - dominance (genetics) , aggression , dominance hierarchy , psychology , territoriality , population , developmental psychology , social psychology , demography , biology , sociology , communication , biochemistry , gene
This is a study of an institutionalized group of female adolescents observed for a nine‐week period. These girls were observed to determine the characteristics of their dominance relations and how, in turn, this aspect of their social environment was related to use of their physical environment. Correlational analyses between observational and sociometric data suggested that dominance rank was based upon the frequency of being the recipient of a dominance act. Fewer dominance acts were initiated against higher ranking girls. Dominance ranking was not based upon frequency of initiating a dominance act towards others. Higher ranking girls were the ones most frequently observed alone in their own bedroom. Bedrooms were highly desiuable areas used for grooming (eg, setting hair, ironing clothes, putting on cosmetics, resting) as girls sought to gain popularity with the institution's male population. Comparison of results with findings in similar studies on male adolescents suggest some tentative generalizations as to sex difference in dominance and territoriality.