Dear all
I would like to hear your opinion on human aggression, whether it is a one-dimensional or two-dimensional construct. Studies point to the existence of two types of aggression: proactive and reactive, which would be different in their etiology (involving different neurophysiological processes and preceded by different events). On the other hand, there is also evidence of high correlation and coexistence between both behaviors.
Most studies that investigate the dimensionality of aggression use self-report measures. Studies that investigate competing models of aggression are rares.
Please, I would like to hear your opinion on this subject. I am grateful if you can suggest current empirical studies that have tested both structures using specific methods like bi-factor analysis and latent profile analysis.
Cordially,
Juliane C. Borsa
Hi,
The basic structure is pretty solid it seems. There are many studies that looked at it using the methods you mentioned. Some examples:
Raine, Adrian, et al. "The reactive–proactive aggression questionnaire: Differential correlates of reactive and proactive aggression in adolescent boys." Aggressive Behavior 32.2 (2006): 159-171.
Vitaro, F., Gendreau, P. L., Tremblay, R. E., & Oligny, P. (1998). Reactive and proactive aggression differentially predict later conduct problems. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 39(3), 377-385.
Kempes, M., Matthys, W., De Vries, H., & Van Engeland, H. (2005). Reactive and proactive aggression in children A review of theory, findings and the relevance for child and adolescent psychiatry. European child & adolescent psychiatry, 14(1), 11-19.
I personally like Reid Meloy's psychoanalytically-informed work on the topic. It is more forensic in nature. There is a possibility of specific subtypes within the proactive aggression concept, namely instrumental and predatory subtypes. You won't see the latter in normative samples, or only rarely.
There are a few questionnaires looking at this distinction, the classic one by Dodge & Coie, as well as another by Vitiello. A quick Google Scholar search should help you here. I think projective methods can also contribute to the assessment of types of aggression. See for instance Gacono & Meloy's work (1994) using the Rorschach as well as a recent paper my colleague Linda Webser and I published in the Journal of Personality Assessment. It is focused on the Rorschach.
Hope this helps,
David J
Hi David
Firt of all, thank you very much for your response.
I've read the articles you suggest. In fact, the authors tested the dimensionality of aggression, but they used exploratory and confirmatory factorial analysis that do not represent a better strategy for evaluate competing structural models (in this case, PA and RA). I am also of all the researches they have used, for example bi-factor model and other related tests.
In time, I really enjoy using projective methods with children (target all my researches). Here in Brazil we have many researchers working with Rorschach.
I wish you success in your work.
Best,
Juli
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