An examination of social cognitive theory with differences among sexually aggressive, physically aggressive and nonaggressive children in state care.
Three groups of boys in Washington State care (37 sexually aggressive, 17 physically aggressive, and 15 nonaggressive) are compared on measures of behavior and cognition. Bandura's Social Cognition theory is offered as a possible explanation for sexual aggression by children. Two theory-based hypothesis are tested. First, are sexually aggressive children cognitively deficient when compared to the other groups? Second, do the sexually aggressive children have cognitive distortions about their behavior and about sex? Similarities were found in the aggressive and sexually aggressive groups on several measures. Physically aggressive boys were found to have some sexual behavior problems. Sexually aggressive boys were also found to be physically aggressive. Physically aggressive boys were found to have the least severe and least frequent victimization history. No support was found for the first hypothesis, while some evidence of cognitive distortions regarding both social behavior and sex was found in the sexually aggressive children. Discussion and some implications for research and practice are offered.
The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109, USA.
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Burton
D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000523:psychology; D002657:Child Development; D003071:Cognition; D019336:Cognitive Science; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D008297:Male; D011582:Psychological Theory; D012649:Self Concept; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D014861:Washington