Publication Date

2018

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Malecki, Christine K.

Degree Name

Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy)

Legacy Department

Department of Psychology

LCSH

Behaviorism (Psychology); Social psychology; Personality

Abstract

Although some researchers have interpreted findings from longitudinal studies demonstrating consistent negative associations between prosocial and aggressive behaviors to mean that there is an inverse relationship between prosociality and aggression, preliminary research findings have suggested that when the intentions and motivations surrounding prosocial and aggressive acts are considered, these interpersonal interaction styles may be more alike than previously believed. The current study analyzed survey responses from 176 freshmen and sophomore students to investigate how engagement in intentionally aggressive behaviors related to various forms of prosocial behavior. This study also evaluated how levels of cognitive and affective empathy impact students' engagement in aggressive and prosocial behavior. Results revealed that contrary to previous findings, higher levels of cognitive and affective empathy are not associated with lower levels of relational aggression. Additionally, results demonstrated that engagement in instrumental prosocial behavior is positively associated with engagement in instrumental relational aggression providing additional support for the notion that those who engage in prosocial behavior do not necessarily avoid engagement in aggressive behaviors.

Comments

Advisor: Malecki, Christine K.||Committee members: Britt, M. Anne; Demaray, Michelle K.; Johnson, Jesse; Ogg, Julia.||Includes illustrations.||Includes bibliographical references.

Extent

97 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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