Group Norms and Self-Aggressive Behavior

Authors

Paul A. Sloan, University of Southern Mississippi
Mitchell E. Berman, University of Southern MississippiFollow
Virgil Zeigler-Hill, University of Southern MississippiFollow
Tammy F. Greer, University of Southern MississippiFollow
Lynda Mae, University of Southern Mississippi

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-1-2006

Department

Psychology

Abstract

There is evidence from nonexperimental studies that group norms may influence both lethal and non-lethal self-aggressive behaviors. Nonexperimental studies, however, provide little information about potential cause-and-effect relationships. Accordingly, we experimentally examined whether self-aggressive group norms influence self-aggressive intent and behavior. Participants (N = 107) were exposed either to high-, low-, or mixed-self-aggressive group normative information, or were provided no normative information. After group norms were established, the participant stated his or her own self-aggressive intentions, and then completed a laboratory task designed to assess self-aggressive behavior. Results support the notion that group norms play a strong role in the expression of self-aggressive behavior. Clinical implications and the limitations of laboratory studies of self-aggression are discussed.

Publication Title

Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology

Volume

25

Issue

10

First Page

1107

Last Page

1121

Recommended Citation

Sloan, P. A., Berman, M. E., Zeigler-Hill, V., Greer, T. F., Mae, L. (2006). Group Norms and Self-Aggressive Behavior. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 25(10), 1107-1121.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/2159