NCJ Number
130613
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 6 Issue: 2 Dated: (June 1991) Pages: 174-186
Date Published
1991
Length
13 pages
Annotation
Nearly 300 male and female college undergraduate students responded to a questionnaire and discussed a scenario designed to assess the effects of sex of aggressor, sex of victim, and relationship between aggressor and victim on evaluations of physical aggression.
Abstract
In their evaluation of the aggressor's behavior and justifiability of victim retaliation, respondents rated aggression from males and aggression toward females most negatively. Males found aggression directed toward a sibling to be least acceptable, while female respondents rated aggression directed toward a friend, stranger, or spouse to be least justifiable. The results indicate that an individual's evaluation of physical aggression largely depends on social norms about victim-aggressor relationships. 3 tables and 26 references (Author abstract modified)