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Social representation of aggression as an explanation of gender differences: A preliminary study
Author(s) -
Campbell Anne,
Muncer Steven,
Coyle Edward
Publication year - 1992
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(1992)18:2<95::aid-ab2480180203>3.0.co;2-5
Subject(s) - aggression , psychology , developmental psychology , observational study , poison control , social psychology , representation (politics) , medicine , medical emergency , pathology , politics , political science , law
Academic theories of aggression can be dichotomized as expressive (in which aggression results from a failure of self control) or instrumental (in which aggression represents the exercise of control over others). We propose that the two sexes hold a parallel distinction in their social representations of aggression; women subscribe to an expressive model, men to an instrumental model. A 20‐item questionnaire was generated by systematic comparison of the two theories with respect to their differential predictions concerning perceived social value, proximate causes, relevant emotions and congnitions, form, aim, social facilitators, and reputational aspects of aggression. Factor analysis indicated a first factor of expressive‐instrumental aggression on which all items had significant loadings. A significant correlation (.46) was found between gender and questionnaire score confirming the hypothesis. The notion of gender‐specific social representations is discussed in terms of its ability to coherently interpret patterns of differences in aggression found in experimental and observational studies.