Normative Beliefs and Aggression: The Mediating Roles of Empathy and Anger.

ABSTRACT: This study examined a two-mediator model with both empathy and anger as mediators in the association between children's normative beliefs about aggression and forms (relational and physical) and functions (reactive and proactive) of aggressive behavior. Ninety-eight children (54% males, M_age=46.21months, SD = 8.84months) reported their approval of relationally and physically aggressive behaviors depicted in iconic (animation) and enactive (toy figurines) hypothetical scenarios. Children's aggression, empathy and anger were measured using teacher reports. No main effects of normative beliefs about aggression on the corresponding aggressive behavior were found. Normative beliefs about aggression were negatively associated with empathy and empathy was significantly associated with

SUBMITTER: Swit CS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11828841 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature