Indirect Aggression

Developmental Pattern

The development of indirect aggression and its pattern of use by males and females stand in sharp contrast to those of physical aggression. Physical aggression is used ubiquitously by about 60% of preschoolers. It peaks at around age 3 years and declines steadily thereafter for most children. A subset of children, fewer than 10%, continues to use physical aggression after school entry, and these individuals tend to persist in their use well into adolescence and adulthood (termed life-course persistent aggressors).

Indirect aggression is also used by preschool-aged children, but at this age, it is employed less often than physical aggression and it takes a cruder slant than the form it takes when used by older children, adolescents, and adults. In early childhood, indirect aggression is more overt than covert. For example, when young children exclude peers from the group, they do so openly, telling their peers that they cannot sit with them or come to their birthday party. They also reject adults by withdrawing love and affection such as refusing to hug or kiss a parent when the parent is upset with them.

[Page 1119]As children mature, their use of indirect aggression increases, peaking in adolescence and early adulthood, and replaces more direct forms of aggression like physical aggression and verbal aggression. Indirect aggression also becomes more sophisticated as children’s language and social skills develop. Using a third party as the vehicle of harm, which is done when spreading rumors, is an example of the increased intricacy of indirect aggression. In this case, the intent to hurt a competitor or to seek revenge is fulfilled without the perpetrator being detected, thus guarding against a counterattack. A growing literature suggests that such advanced cognitive and social skills are prerequisites for using indirect aggression. Perhaps, then, it should not be surprising that adults use indirect aggression at a high rate against friends, romantic partners, coworkers, and even strangers. In one study, 94% of adult women reported using indirect aggression against others in the past year.

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