ABSTRACT

Over the past 30 years, the developmental trajectories and functions of physical aggression have been largely clarified in various longitudinal investigations (e.g., Cairns & Cairns, 1994; Farrington, 1991; Magnusson & Bergman, 1990). Modest to high levels of continuity of physically aggressive behaviors have been reported (e.g., Cairns & Cairns, 1994; Olweus, 1979; Pulkkinen, 1998), and the magnitude depends on the length of time between two assessment points. The development of physically aggressive behaviors is also supported by a person’s social relationships and social interaction within peer networks (e.g., Cairns, Cairns, Neckerman, Gest, & Gariépy 1988; Dishion, Andrews, & Crosby, 1995; Farmer, 2000; Farmer & Rodkin, 1996; Giordano, Cernovich, & Pugh, 1986; Luthar & McMahon, 1996; Rodkin, Farmer, Pearl, & Van Acker, 2000; Xie, Cairns, & Cairns, 1999). Finally, physical aggression in childhood and adolescence yields robust predictions of subsequent maladjustment such as school dropout, teen parenthood, and criminal behaviors (e.g., Cairns, Cairns, & Neckerman, 1989; Ensminger & Slusarcick, 1992; Farrington, 1986; Serbin, Peters, McAffer, & Schwartzman, 1991; Stattin & Magnusson, 1989).