Examination of Social Cognitive Theory With Differences Among Sexually Aggressive, Physically Aggressive and Nonaggressive Children in State Care

• NCJ Number: 178114
• Journal: Violence and Victims Volume: 14 Issue: 2 Dated: Summer 1999 Pages: 161-178
• Author(s): David L. Burton
• Date Published: 1999
• Length: 18 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Three groups of boys in Washington State care (37 sexually aggressive, 17 physically aggressive, and 15 nonaggressive) were compared on measures of behavior and cognition.

Abstract

Bandura's Social Cognition theory is offered as a possible explanation for sexual aggression by children. Under this model, "through retention processes, transitory experiences are converted for memory representation into symbolic conceptions that serve as internal models for response production and standards for response corrections; production processes govern the organization of constituent sub-skills into new response patterns; and motivation processes determine whether or not observationally acquired competencies will be put to use" (Bandura, 1986, P. 51). In this study, two theory-based hypotheses were tested: sexually aggressive children are cognitively deficient when compared to the other samples; and sexually aggressive children have cognitive distortions about their behavior and about sex. Four children's instruments assessed cognitive distortions about social and sexual behaviors, IQ, and developmental level. Two adult instruments assessed children's behavior. Additionally, victimization history, demographics, and information regarding two possible confounding variables (treatment history and age) were collected. Similarities were found in the aggressive and sexually aggressive groups on several measures. Physically aggressive boys were found to have some sexual behavior problems. Sexually aggressive boys were also found to be physically aggressive. Physically aggressive boys were found to have the least severe and least frequent victimization history. No support was found for the first hypothesis, but there was some evidence of cognitive distortions regarding both social behavior and sex in the sexually aggressive children. Discussion and some implications for research and practice are presented. 7 tables, 52 references, and appended selection guidelines