Poster 2
Animal abuse: An evolutionary perspective
Jack Demarest, Ellen M. LaTorre
(Monmouth University, West Long Branch, NJ)
We proposed that animal abuse is related to two psychological mechanisms,
fear and the need to reestablish a sense of control. Many animals
can trigger a fear response through alterations of their physical appearance.
Exposing participants to drawings of dogs exhibiting progressively greater
fear-evoking characteristics (e.g., bared teeth, laid back ears) produced
more fear and a greater probability that they would lash out at the dog.
Locus of control was not a significant variable. (back
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Poster 3
Conflict-related vocalizations in male and female Moorhens (Gallinula
Chloropus)
D. Foreman, P.F. Brain, and G.D. Sales
(University of Wales, Swansea, UK)
The moorhen, Gallinula chloropus, is an aggressive bird species of
the rail family found throughout the waterways of the United Kingdom.
In a study population at a Wildfowl and Wetlands centre in South Wales,
an interesting and little studied vocalization has been recorded in some
moorhens during territorial disputes with conspecifics and in confrontations
with predators. This unusual sound, best described as a gutteral
growl, has a frequency of between 2-4 Khz and lasts for approximately 4-8
sec. This contrasts with the more widely used range of moorhen vocalizations
which are typically of a much shorter duration (e.g. 0.5 sec) and have
considerably higher frequencies.(back to
top)
Poster 4
Executive cognitive functioning, temperament, and antisocial behavior
in conduct disordered adolescent females
P. Giancola, A.C. Mezzich, and R.E. Tarter
(Western Psychiatric Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of
Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA)
The main purpose of this study was to determine: 1) whether the combined
influence of ECF and difficult temperament is associated with aggressive
and non-aggressive forms of ASB and 2) whether the relations between difficult
temperament and ASB are mediated by ECF in a sample of 249 conduct disordered
adolescent females and controls. The combined influence of ECF and
difficult temperament was significantly related to aggressive and non-aggressive
ASB, even when accounting for age, SES, and general intelligence.
However, in comparison with ECF, difficult temperament was more strongly
related to non-aggressive ASB, whereas, in comparison with difficult temperament,
ECF was more strongly related to aggressive ASB. Lastly, ECF mediated
the relation between difficult temperament and aggressive ASB.(back
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Poster 5
The EQUIP Program: Teaching youth to think and act responsibly through
a peer helping approach
John C. Gibbs, G. B. Potter (Ohio State University, Columbus, OH)
A.P. Goldstein (Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY)
EQUIP is a multi-component group treatment program which motivates
and equips adolescents to help one another. Youths with antisocial
cognitive and behavioral problems gain motivation to help one another through
a guided peer-helping approach. The youths' attempts to help one
another are strengthened as they acquire the needed "equipment" through:
moral education, cognitive therapy (correcting "thinking errors"), anger
management, and social skills training. Also depicted will be a recent
favorable outcome evaluation study of EQUIP.(back
to top)
Poster 6
Chronic cocaine treatment during adolescence stimulates offensive
aggression in golden hamsters
R. J. Harrison, D.F. Connor, C. Nowak, and R.M. Melloni
(University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester, MA)
It was hypothesized that chronic cocaine exposure during particular
phases of postnatal development predisposes animals to heightened levels
of aggression, correlated with changes in AH neuropeptide expression. To
test this adolescent male Syrian golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus)
were administered cocaine hydrochloride during their adolescent development
(P27-P56), and then tested for offensive aggression using the resident-intruder
model. Hamsters treated with cocaine during adolescence show elevated measures
of offensive aggression (i.e., increased number of bites, attacks, flank
marks, and decreased latencies to bite), while total locomotor activity
and sexual motivation were not significantly altered. Studies are currently
underway examining the role of specific AH-neuropeptides in cocaine-stimulated
aggression. Supported by NIDA DA10547 to R.H.M. (back
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Poster 7
Alcohol, executive function and aggression in women
P.N.S. Hoaken, W.L.A. Strickler, and R.O. Pihl
(McGill University, Montreal, PQ, Canada)
This study was conducted to examine what variables predict women's
aggressive responses. 60 women were tested using personality, neurocognitive,
and IQ measures, followed by the Taylor Aggression Paradigm (half-sober,
half alcohol intoxicated). Both drug groups responded to provocation
with considerable aggression. A multiple regression revealed that
the aggression was significantly predicted by scores on a factor representing
executive cognitive functioning, suggesting alcohol may be less important
in women's aggression than premorbid neurocognitive function.(back
to top)
Poster 8
Effect of alcohol expectancy on aggression
Jeannette M. Johansson and Evan R. Harrington
(Temple University, Philadelphia, PA)
A meta-analysis was conducted to test the hypothesis that alcohol expectancy
increases subsequent aggression. The results yielded a small positive
effect with large variability. Computation of the counter-null statistic
mitigates against assuming a trivial effect for expectancy on aggression.
There may be moderators present that have yet to be identified, which may
cause the small value of the effect size as well as the large variability.
Factors such as artificial laboratory settings and subjects' self-informing
regarding their drinking status, as well as other variables possibly influencing
the effect, will be discussed in the poster. (back
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Poster 9
Punitive childhood experiences of young adults with craniofacial
abnormalities
John F. Knutson, Rebecca Wald
(University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA)
Recent epidemiological research has confirmed the link between child
maltreatment and disabilities. To test the hypothesis that craniofacial
anomalies
could occasion risk for physical abuse, a sample of young adult males who
had been treated as children for cleft-lip and/or palate completed a reliable
and valid measure of childhood disciplinary experiences. Although
some subjects described exceeding punitive experiences, the overall pattern
and range of scores did not deviate significantly from normative data obtained
from the same geographical area. (back
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Poster 10
Chronic anabolic steroid exposure during adolescence stimulates
vasopressin-dependent aggression in hamsters
R.H. Melloni, D. F. Connor, K. Nash, and R.J. Harrison
(University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester, MA)
We hypothesized that chronic high dose anabolic androgenic steriod
(AAS) exposure during adolescence predisposes hamsters to heightened levels
of aggression, correlated with changes in AH-AVP expression. To test this
adolescent male hamsters were administered high doses of AAS throughout
their entire adolescent development (P27-P56), and then tested for offensive
aggression using the resident-intruder model. Hamsters treated with chronic
high dose AAS during adolescence display heightened measures of offensive
aggression (i.e., decreased latencies to bite and increased number of bites,
attacks, and flank marks), and show marked increases in AH-AVP. However,
changes in AVP mRNA were not found to accompany increased peptide expression.
To determine if behavioral alterations were AVP-dependent, specific AVP
V1A receptor antagonists were microinjected into the AH of highly aggressive
AAS-treated animals. AVP V1A antagonism markedly decreased offensive aggression.
Together, these data suggest a causal role for AH-AVP in AAS-stimulated
aggression. Supported by NIDA DA10547 to R.H.M.(back
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Poster 11
Bullying and coping behavior among schoolchildren
Runar Olafsen, Vappu Viemerö
(Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland)
The connection between roles in bullying and coping with stress in
schools was studied. 510 ten- to twelve-year old pupils participated. Slightly
modified versions of Olweus' Bully/Victim Questionnaire and The Life Event
and Coping Inventory were used. The results suggest that the presence of
"aggression" and "self-destruction" strategies is associated with bullying.
Victims of bullying do not differ much from pupils in general in respect
of coping behaviour. Bullies do.(back to
top)
Poster 12
Effect of aversive stimulation on processing of compatible versus
incompatible information about self
Farzaneh Pahlavan
(University Ren(Descartes, Paris V, France)
After execution of a problem resolution task with success or failure,
20 female students of different universities in Paris (ages 18-24 years)
were instructed to make self-relevant decisions (like me/not like me) in
response to trait adjectives previously scaled as being related or not
to aggression. As soon as, during a memory decision task, subjects
attempted to memorize half of the aforementioned trait list, reaction times
for decision making were measured. The results suggest that subjects
experiencing failure and those experiencing success differ in their decision
times for schema-compatible versus schema-incompatible responses.
These results taken together with our previous published findings indicate
an organizational effect of aversive stimulation upon both behavioral and
cognitive structures.(back to top)
Poster 13
Effects of monoamine oxidase inhibition during brain development
upon aggressive behavior in mice (preliminary report)
R. M. Palmour, F.R. Ervin, and J.M. Mejia
(McGill University, Montreal, Canada)
Variations in the activity of monoamino oxidases (MAO) have often been
associated with aggressive behaviors. In this report, we present
the preliminary results of an animal model that mimics the potential behavioral
effect of a point mutation in MAO genes, through selective and combined
pharmacological MAO inhibition.(back to
top)
Poster 14
Tantrums, temperament, and temporal lobes
Michael Potegal, H.H. Goldsmith, R. Chapman, J. Senulis, and R. J.
Davidson
(University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI)
By parental report, tantrum prone (TP) 4-year-olds were more angry,
active, and distractible than non-TP children were. Their videotaped
angry facial expressions were also more intense. Across groups sad
facial expressions correlated with greater right frontal EEG activation.
Novel results were: 1) greater left posterior temporal activation in TP
children and 2) across-group correlations between relative left temporal
activation and both parentally reported and facially expressed anger.
Sadness and anger are associated with right frontal and left temporal activation,
respectively, further indicating that tantrum anger and distress are separable
processes.(back to top)
Poster 15
Growth of aggressive fundamentalism among adolescents
Tayyab Rashid and Afrose Anjum
(Government College, Lahore, Pakistan)
This study investigates the factors that reinforce aggressive fundamentalism
among adolescents. The sample included 40 adolescents aged 15 - 19,
belonging to a religious fundamentalist political organization, actively
involved in aggressive and militant activities. The findings suggest
that adolescents experiencing identity crisis, given certain socio-economic,
political and religious contexts may tend to resolve their crisis by being
actively involved with groups that encourage organized aggressive activities
to legitimize their otherwise illegitimate motives.(back
to top)
Poster 16
From hostility to assertiveness, aggressiveness, and authoritarianism:
50 years of cultural change
Heather Sabo and Arlene R. Lundquist
(Creighton University, Omaha, NE)
This research investigated gender differences in the expression of
hostility and compared results with normative data from the 1957 Buss-Durkee
Hostility/Guilt Inventory and other aggression-related scales. Results
suggest that contemporary total hostility scores are higher and significant
gender differences exist in the expression of hostility. All aggression
related scales were significantly correlated with the 1957 scale, suggesting
the Buss-Durkee Inventory may no longer effectively measure hostility.
(back
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Poster 17
Delayed increase in mouse attack behavior following fluoxetine
D.A.J. Widmer and G. C. Wagner
(Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ)
Intruder mice injected with fluoxetine (FLX) (dose range 4-16 mg/kg)
or saline, either once or for a two-week period and were placed into the
home cage of an uninjected resident, 24-72 hrs later. FLX (8 and
16 mg/kg) decreased intruder attack number and increased latency to first
attack following acute treatment, while chronically, 16 mg/kg FLX increased
both intruder and resident attacks. FLX-induced decreases in central
5-HIAA levels may account for these changes.(back
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Poster 18
Television news violence: Effects on viewers
Roger N. Johnson, Marlene Britt, and Marzena Sekinda
(Ramapo College, Mahwah, NJ)
Twenty-six males and 38 females watched composite half-hour TV news
broadcasts edited from WPIX-TV in New York. Participants were tested
individually and watched either a program which contained almost no violence
or one in which almost all of the stories dealt with violence. Skin conductance
readings were elevated (particularly for females) for those who watched
violent news. Following the broadcasts, measures of positive and
negative affect showed heightened fear, hostility, and sadness combined
with lower scores for joviality for those watching the violent program.(back
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Poster 19
Developing brain models of human aggression using computer simulations
David V. Reynolds
(University of Windsor, Ontario, Canada)
Multiple brain structures are implicated in human aggression.
When brain structures are treated as computational objects and their interaction
as a dynamic system, then computer methods developed to simulate complex
systems can be used to simulate these brain systems. Research on
human aggression is beset with practical and ethical concerns. Computer
simulations are designed to help mitigate these issues. Dynamic computer
simulations have potential for developing models of brain systems that
mediate human aggression.(back to top)
Poster 20
Parental influence on the aggressive behavior of Chinese school
children
Wu Weiping and Cai Longquan
(Institute of Educational Science, Shanghai Teachers University, Peoples
Republic of China)
China's policy of one child per family has changed the growth environment
for children. As sibling contact decreases, social development is
influenced more by parents, teachers, and unrelated children. Parental
emphasis on competition and dominance tends to lead to more displays of
aggressive behavior in their children. Observation of children in
schools and public places indicates increased levels of quarrelling and
fighting.(back to top)
Poster 21
Physical, verbal, and indirect aggression among Hindu, Moslem, and
Sikh adolescents in India
Osterman, Karin and Kaj Bjorkqvist ((bo Akademi University, Turku,
Finland)
Kirsti M. J. Lagerspetz (University of Turku, Turku, Finland)
T. K. Oommen (Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, U.P. India)
The use of various aggressive strategies in interpersonal conflict
was investigated among 677 adolescents of three age groups from different
religious backgrounds: Hindu, Moslem, and Sikh, in Delhi, U.P., India.
Aggressive behavior was measured with the Direct & Indirect Aggression
Scales (DIAS; Björkqvist, Lagerspetz, & Österman, 1992),
based on peer estimations. Clear variation due to religious background
was found. With respect to total aggression scores, Sikh boys scored higher
than Hindu boys in all age groups, and higher than Moslems at age 11. Sikh
girls at age 11 scored considerably higher than Moslem and Hindu girls
of the same age. At age 8, both Sikh boys and girls had remarkably
high scores of physical aggression. In Western societies, peer estimated
aggression in school surroundings usually reaches a peak at age 11; in
the present Indian sample, this was true only of Sikh and Hindu boys, and
of Sikh girls. Moslem boys had, instead, their lowest total aggression
scores at age 11. In India, boys overall scored higher than girls on all
three measured types of aggression (physical, verbal, and indirect). The
proportion of indirect aggression was somewhat higher among girls than
among boys, in all age groups and within all religious groups.(back
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Poster 22
Bad bars, big nights, bad boys, and booze: Aggression in bars frequented
by young adults
Kathryn Graham
(Addiction Research Foundation, London, Ontario, Canada)
The present descriptive study used qualitative techniques to develop
a fuller understanding of aggression that occurs in bars frequented by
young adults. Analyses used 133 incidents of aggression observed
in bars and 58 incidents reported in telephone interviews. The paper
describes the characteristics of "bad bars," the contagion of aggression
on "big nights," the large role of macho concerns, and the effects of alcohol
most implicated in naturally occurring incidents. Implications for
prevention are discussed.(back to top)