14 DAY TRIAL // Researchers investigating the behavior of 11 to 13 year olds have recently determined that boys and girls of this age understand concepts such as “being mean” in the same way. As they grow older, and reach adulthood, the definitions for similar ideas change between young men and women, with the second group considering a lot of things that men are OK with as being “mean”. The new study was focused on understanding relational aggression and victimization in this age group, and the researchers conducted in-depth interview with 33 children in order to draw their conclusions, PhysOrg reports.
All of the participants were selected on the basis that they had been involved in relational aggressions, and also in victimization, in the past. The researchers considered this to be an absolutely essential criterion for understanding the root causes of these behaviors, as well as the mechanisms at work promoting them, in this particular subpopulation. Some of the things that these children were subjected to by the time of the study include being part of unpredictable friendships, being socially-excluded on different reasons, or being the subject of rumors and gossip spread through modern means of communication. These included cell phones, email messages and the Internet, but also the “old-school” notes left on one's desk by classmates.
“In boys, it was more about larger groups, more direct and in your face, and using teasing and other tactics such as exclusion from sporting games or teams. While the tactics may differ, girls and boys shared similar views on the reasons for relationally aggressive behaviors. They understood issues about power and social dominance, and manipulating friendships to increase social standing or acceptance. Relational aggression can also be about jealousy, anger, revenge and insecurity,” explained Dr Rhiarne Pronk, the clinical psychologist who conducted the investigation.
In the case of girls, she adds, these behaviors were more concealed, such as for example gossip and going behind someone's back. “Dirty looks” and ignoring a certain undesirable person were also found to be common tactics for young girls, the researchers note. This type of investigation is very important, experts say, as it may provide ways for psychiatrists to address the problems that people subjected to such behaviors could develop later on. “People can take the hurt through into their adult life, their workplaces and their romantic relationships,” explains Dr Pronk. She adds that experiencing such situations to a lesser extent can actually be beneficial to building up character, and for teaching the youngsters the social skills they would need later in life.