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TOPIC: Defining and exploring the concept of relational aggression, or the purposeful intent to inflict harm on another through a social relationship.
PURPOSE: This study aims to describe the concept of relational aggression as it has been shaped through recent research, to contrast relational aggression with other types of aggression, and to explore the influence of gender and the formation of a self-concept in the development of relational aggression.
SOURCES: A review of the literature from 1969 to 2005 from selected nursing, child development, women's studies, and psychology publications.
CONCLUSIONS: Some degree of relational aggression seems to be a normal response to conflict for many girls, from preschool through adolescence; however, more research needs to be conducted to determine at what level, or what subtypes, of relational aggression are predictive of future deviant behavior.
Search terms: Relational aggression, indirect aggression, aggression, social aggression, gender socialization
Introduction
Although the concept of relational aggression was identified as early as 1969 (Fleshbach, 1969), it was not until fairly recently that relevant research was conducted on measuring, defining, and distinguishing relational aggression from other types of aggression (Crick & Grotpeter, 1995). As several authors have stated (Block, 1983; Crick & Grotpeter; Hadley, 2004), studies on aggression in children and adolescents prior to this time focused on overt or physical aggression, primarily in males. Relational aggression, or the purposeful intent to inflict harm on another through a social relationship, has been identified as a form of aggression that is most often exhibited by females, yet researchers lack decisive evidence as to why.
The purpose of this paper is to describe the concept of relational aggression as it has been shaped through recent research, to contrast relational aggression with other types of aggression, and to explore the influence of gender in the development of relational aggression. In addition, the influence of the broader social context on the development and use of relational aggression will be explored and the rationale behind this form of aggression, found predominantly among the female gender, will be proposed.
Relational Aggression as a Concept
Currently, aggression is typically defined in the literature as a purposeful attempt to harm others, either through physical means such as hitting or pushing or through the manipulation of a social relationship...