| A social-information processing approach to understanding female adolescent aggression was supported in a quantitative and qualitative study. Female young offenders (48) and high school students (51) were compared on self-report verbal, physical, and indirect aggression, and thoughts and attitudes related to the justification and legitimization of peer aggression. Young offenders reported significantly more verbal and physical aggression than high school students. Young offenders and high school students did not significantly differ in indirect aggression. Young offenders endorsed higher tolerance for overt aggression, valuing of aggressive behaviour, perception of the world as hostile, legitimacy for physical, verbal, and instrumental aggression, retaliation and self-defense, and general approval of aggression compared to high school students. Tolerance for overt aggression, legitimacy of physical aggression, approval of retaliation, perception of the world as hostile, and valuing of aggressive behaviours distinguished young offenders from high school students. Legitimization of verbal aggression predicted aggression in female adolescents. Female young offenders (6) and high school students (6) were interviewed regarding experiences and attitudes relating to peer aggression. Understanding of personal experiences of aggression was related to hypothetical and actual reasons for aggressing toward peers which supports the notion of pre-existing schemata regarding aggressive behaviours. Girls legitimized their aggression toward peers with regards to victim deservedness and their feelings of anger and protectiveness. Implications of the findings for treatment and future research are discussed. |
