Perceptions and functions of play and real fighting in early adolescence.
The hypothesis is tested that adolescent boys' (mean age of 12.8 years) intrasexual rough-and-tumble play (R&T) is used for dominance and intersexual R&T is used to establish heterosexual relationships. In Study 1, boys' observed R&T was related to both dominance and aggression. In the first half of the school year, R&T occurred primarily between males, possibly to establish dominance. In the second half of the year, both boys and girls engaged in R&T, possibly to establish heterosexual relationships. Counter to the hypothesis, observed aggression increased across the year. In Study 2, youngsters viewed taped R&T bouts in which they were participants or nonparticipants. Participant, more than nonparticipant, males saw R&T as related to dominance whereas participant, more than nonparticipant, females saw it as playful.
Pellegrini
Anthony D
AD
Department of Educational Psychology, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Campus, Minneapolis 55455, USA. pelle013@umn.edu
D000293:Adolescent; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D003380:Courtship; D004291:Dominance-Subordination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D008297:Male; D010988:Play and Playthings; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012938:Social Perception