Relational Aggression

Defining Relational Aggression

Although all forms of aggression include intentionally harmful behaviors, relational aggression is unique in its focus on interpersonal manipulation and harm. Many studies of relational aggression contrast it with commonly studied forms of aggression, such as physical aggression. Physical aggression includes behaviors where damage to one's physical well-being serves as the vehicle of harm (e.g., hitting, kicking, or punching); in contrast, relational aggression involves behaviors where damage to relationships serves as the vehicle of harm. Threatening to end a friendship (“I won't be your friend any more unless you give me a bite of your ice cream cone”), giving someone the “silent treatment,” intentionally excluding someone (“I am inviting the whole class to my birthday party, and you can't come!”), and spreading nasty rumors about a peer are all examples of relational aggression.

Conceptually similar forms of aggression, such as indirect aggression (i.e., covert behaviors in which the perpetrator does not confront the target) and social aggression (i.e., behaviors that damage self-esteem or social status), do include some behaviors that overlap with relational aggression. For example, covertly starting a malicious rumor about a peer is an example of both indirect and relational aggression. However, many examples of indirect and social aggression do not specifically involve damage to relationships (e.g., indirect aggressive behaviors such as sending a nasty, anonymous e-mail) and thus are not relationally aggressive. Despite the conceptual distinctions among relational, indirect, and social aggression, some researchers have argued that these terms are interchangeable, and many studies adopt measures that do not correspond to the terminology employed. These differences in definitions and measurement across studies have created confusion in the literature, and there have been recent calls for more precision in terminology in studies of relational aggression.

Sex Differences

A number of researchers have proposed that females are at greater risk for involvement in relational

aggression. This proposal is based on two related arguments. First, gender socialization research suggests that females are more likely than males to focus on and invest in interpersonal relationships. Given the high value placed on relationships, females may be especially likely to target relationships when attempting to harm others. In addition, because relational aggression is more consistent with the female gender role than other forms of aggression (e.g., physically aggressive behaviors such as hitting), females may not receive as many sanctions against engaging in these behaviors. As a result, relational aggression may provide females with a relatively effective and socially acceptable means of aggression. In contrast, males may engage in physical forms of aggression because they are consistent with the male gender role of instrumentality, physical dominance, and competition.

Studies examining sex differences in relational aggression have been mixed. A number of studies have reported that females are more relationally aggressive than males. However, other studies have found no sex differences or have reported that males are more relationally aggressive than females. These findings may reflect the widely different measures used to assess relational aggression. For example, compared with research employing peer, teacher, or self-reports, studies using observational methods to measure relational aggression are more likely to find that females are more relationally aggressive than males. In addition, gender differences in relational aggression may differ depending on the age group examined. For example, some evidence suggests that gender differences in relational aggression increase over the elementary school years. In contrast, sex differences in relational aggression are less frequently reported in studies of adolescents and adults. However, age is also associated with measurement of relational aggression (e.g., self-reports are more common in adolescence and adulthood); thus, these age differences might reflect different measurement techniques.

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