Normative Beliefs about Aggression

Normative beliefs about aggression are a set of beliefs that people hold about how they should behave when they feel angry or frustrated. These beliefs are often shaped by cultural values and social norms. Normative beliefs about aggression can vary greatly from one culture to another. In some cultures, aggression is viewed as a positive trait and is encouraged. For example, in some Native American cultures, aggression is seen as a way to protect ones family and community. In these cultures, aggression is seen as a sign of strength and courage. In other cultures, aggression is discouraged and seen as a sign of weakness. For example, in some Asian cultures, aggression is seen as a sign of disrespect and can lead to social ostracism. In these cultures, it is important to express anger and frustration in a more controlled and respectful manner. It is important to note that normative beliefs about aggression can be both positive and negative. While some cultures may view aggression as a sign of strength and courage, it can also be seen as a sign of immaturity and insecurity. It is important for people to be aware of their own beliefs about aggression and to understand how these beliefs may be influencing their behavior. By understanding and reflecting on their own beliefs about aggression, people can develop healthier ways of expressing anger and frustration. This can help to reduce the likelihood of aggressive behavior and create a more peaceful and respectful environment.
DESCRIPTION
This scale measures a child‚ adolescent or young adult’s perception of how acceptable it is to behave aggressively‚ both under varying conditions of provocation and when no conditions are specified. It can be administered individually or in groups. Respondents are asked to se‎lect the one choice that best describes their own ideas or experience
.KEYWORDS
This tool touches on the following keywords:
·         School and Academics
·         Aggressive
WHERE TO FIND OR DOWNLOAD
This instrument can be found on page 17 of Measuring Violence-Related Attitudes‚ Behaviors‚ and Influences among Youths: A Compendium of Assessment Tools‚ available online at: http://oregonmentors.org/library/evaluationtools/keyword/15/
FEES AND REQUIREMENTS
None noted.
AGE RANGE
Children in nursery school through college in several countries and with different racial/ethnic groups.
HOW TO ADMINISTER AND SCORE
Point values for items 1-4 are assigned as indicate above. For item 5‚ point values are assigned as follows:
This scale is copyrighted. For permission to use‚ contact:
L. Rowell Huesmann‚ Ph.D.
Research Center for Group Dynamics
5030 Institute for Social Research
426 Thompson Street
Ann Arbor‚ MI 48106-1248
Tel: (734) 764-8385
Fax: (734) 763-1202
SOURCE

Huesmann LR‚ Guerra NG‚ Miller L‚ Zelli A. (1992). The role of social norms in the development of aggression. In Zumkley H‚ Fraczek A. (eds.) Socialization and aggression. New York‚ NY: Springer.

Retaliation Belief Questions
Suppose a boy says something bad to another boy‚ John.
1. Do you think it’s OK for John to scream at him?
■ It’s perfectly OK ■ It’s sort of OK ■ It’s sort of wrong ■ It’s really wrong
2. Do you think it’s OK for John to hit him?
■ It’s perfectly OK ■ It’s sort of OK ■ It’s sort of wrong ■ It’s really wrong
Suppose a boy says something bad to a girl.
3. Do you think it’s wrong for the girl to scream at him?
■ It’s really wrong ■ It’s sort of wrong ■ It’s sort of OK ■ It’s perfectly OK
4. Do you think it’s wrong for the girl to hit him?
■ It’s really wrong ■ It’s sort of wrong ■ It’s sort of OK ■ It’s perfectly OK
Suppose a girl says something bad to another girl‚ Mary.
5. Do you think it’s OK for Mary to scream at her?
■ It’s perfectly OK ■ It’s sort of OK ■ It’s sort of wrong ■ It’s really wrong
6. Do you think it’s OK for Mary to hit her?
■ It’s perfectly OK ■ It’s sort of OK ■ It’s sort of wrong ■ It’s really wrong
Suppose a girl says something bad to a boy.
7. Do you think it’s wrong for the boy to scream at her?
■ It’s really wrong ■ It’s sort of wrong ■ It’s sort of OK ■ It’s perfectly OK
8. Do you think it’s wrong for the boy to hit her?
■ It’s really wrong ■ It’s sort of wrong ■ It’s sort of OK ■ It’s perfectly OK
Suppose a boy hits another boy‚ John?
9. Do you think it’s wrong for John to hit him back?
■ It’s really wrong ■ It’s sort of wrong ■ It’s sort of OK ■ It’s perfectly OK
Suppose a boy hits a girl.
10. Do you think it’s OK for the girl to hit him back?
■ It’s perfectly OK ■ It’s sort of OK ■ It’s sort of wrong ■ It’s really wrong
Suppose a girl hits another girl‚ Mary.
11. Do you think it’s wrong for Mary to hit her back?
■ It’s really wrong ■ It’s sort of wrong ■ It’s sort of OK ■ It’s perfectly OK
Suppose a girl hits a boy.
12. Do you think it’s OK for the boy to hit her back?
■ It’s perfectly OK ■ It’s sort of OK ■ It’s sort of wrong ■ It’s really wrong
General Belief Questions
13. In general‚ it is wrong to hit other people.
■ It’s really wrong ■ It’s sort of wrong ■ It’s sort of OK ■ It’s perfectly OK
14. If you’re angry‚ it is OK to say mean things to other people.
■ It’s perfectly OK ■ It’s sort of OK ■ It’s sort of wrong ■ It’s really wrong
15. In general‚ it is OK to yell at others and say bad things.
■ It’s perfectly OK ■ It’s sort of OK ■ It’s sort of wrong ■ It’s really wrong
16. It is usually OK to push or shove other people around if you’re mad.
■ It’s perfectly OK ■ It’s sort of OK ■ It’s sort of wrong ■ It’s really wrong
17. It is wrong to insult other people.
■ It’s really wrong ■ It’s sort of wrong ■ It’s sort of OK ■ It’s perfectly OK
18. It is wrong to take it out on others by saying mean things when you’re mad.
■ It’s really wrong ■ It’s sort of wrong ■ It’s sort of OK ■ It’s perfectly OK
19. It is generally wrong to get into physical fights with others.
■ It’s really wrong ■ It’s sort of wrong ■ It’s sort of OK ■ It’s perfectly OK
20. In general‚ it is OK to take your anger out on others by using physical force.
■ It’s perfectly OK ■ It’s sort of OK ■ It’s sort of wrong ■ It’s really wrong
 
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