Differences between bullies and victims, and men and women, on aggression-related variables among prisoners.
This study assessed how behaviour indicative of bullying in prison settings is related to a variety of measures associated with aggression. Adult offenders (728 men and 525 women) from 11 prisons in the UK completed a 99-item checklist measuring behaviour indicative of 'bullying others' and of 'being bullied', as well as a range of other behavioural measures. They also completed a 43-item Response to Victimization Scale (RVS), asking about their responses to a scenario involving bullying; and measures of impulsiveness, and attributions about their aggression. Those classed as bullies showed, in response to the scenario, higher scores than non-bullies on direct verbal and physical aggression, indirect aggression, verbal and physical displaced aggression, and revenge plans and fantasies; and lower values for fear/avoidance; they also showed higher impulsiveness and instrumental and expressive attributions. Those classed as victims showed higher scores than non-victims for fear/avoidance, displaced physical aggression and impulsiveness. These main effects of bullying or victimization, with no interactions, are discussed in relation to hypotheses based on a previous four-category classification of those involved in bullying. There were large sex differences in the male direction for direct physical aggression, and in the female direction for fear/avoidance. There were smaller differences in the male direction for revenge, indirect aggression and direct verbal aggression. These are discussed in relation to an evolutionary theory of sex differences in aggression.
Archer
John
J
Department of Psychology, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, Lancashire, UK. jarcher@uclan.ac.uk
Ireland
Jane L
JL
Power
Christina L
CL
D000328:Adult; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D019548:Crime Victims; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology