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Aggression in Schools

  • By: Stephen S. Leff & Amy B. Goldstein
  • In: Encyclopedia of School Psychology
  • Edited by: Steven W. Lee
  • Subject:School/Educational Psychology (general), School Psychology, Educational Psychology

Although there are many definitions of aggression, most indicate that aggression represents behaviors that are intended to hurt or harm another. Much of the research on aggression has focused primarily upon boys who are physically aggressive (i.e., they physically dominate or intimidate others by hitting, pushing, shoving, kicking, or threatening physical harm). Approximately 10% to 15% of school-age children are the perpetrators of physical aggression.

Subtypes of Aggression

There are a number of different ways to conceptualize subtypes of aggressive behaviors. First, many researchers have subdivided aggression into reactive and proactive subtypes. The reactive subtype is characterized by impulsive aggressive behavior that occurs in retaliation to another's behavior (e.g., a child who is bumped from behind while walking down the hall responds by hitting and punching the ...

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