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Peer influence in bullying: The autonomy‐enhancing effect of moral competence
Author(s) -
Doehne Malte,
von Grundherr Michael,
Schäfer Mechthild
Publication year - 2018
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/ab.21784
Subject(s) - psychology , moderation , competence (human resources) , developmental psychology , social psychology , autonomy , social cognitive theory of morality , poison control , human factors and ergonomics , german , peer victimization , peer group , social competence , injury prevention , moral disengagement , social change , medicine , political science , environmental health , archaeology , law , history
Research has found that moral competence is negatively associated with bullying behavior in schools, but the drivers of this association are not yet well understood. In this paper, we report on two studies which suggest that moral competence acts as a moderator of peer influence in the context of school bullying. Data were collected at two time points in three German higher secondary schools (grades 7–10, average age at measurement: 14.26 years). Using a cross‐lagged panel design (CLPD), study 1 ( N = 251) found adolescents with low moral competence to be susceptible to peer influence, while no such effect was found for adolescents with high moral competence. Study 2, a cross‐sectional analysis ( N = 748), found moral competence to be inversely related to the likelihood of an individual's conforming with the pro‐bullying behavior of his or her peers. Neither study found corresponding effects for pro‐social, defending behavior. Our findings further illuminate the associations between moral competence, peer influence, and school bullying. Some implications for bullying prevention are discussed.