The Rio Grande cichlid (Herichthys cyanoguttatus) has been established in the Greater New Orleans Metropolitan Area (GNOMA) for at least 20 years. It is often the most common fish species in urban canals and has also been found in natural waterways outside of the GNOMA. The effects and potential for further spread of H. cyanoguttatus is uncertain. My research addressed how extensive the cichlids spread in the GNOMA, how H. cyanoguttatus interacted with L. macrochirus, a native fish, and what salinity tolerance this species has. Surveys on Lake Pontchartrain and in the GNOMA indicated that H. cyanoguttatus is well established in urban habitats. These surveys also indicate that H. cyanoguttatus has spread rapidly into Bayou Saint John and City Park in recent years and that H. cyanoguttatus populations were relatively unaffected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. There is little evidence that H. cyanoguttatus has become established outside of the GNOMA, but this lack of persistence cannot be explained by abiotic variables I measured. Salinity may be a factor and this was measured in growth trials of H. cyanoguttatus. Salinities up to 16 ppt, however, had no significant effect on H. cyanoguttatus growth. Interspecific behavioral experiments were conducted to examine potential biotic interactions with native fish species. Prior resident trials indicated that H. cyanoguttatus was aggressive whether holding territory or not, and that native bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) was only aggressive while holding territory. Feeding experiments were performed to examine biotic interactions between H. cyanoguttatus and L. macrochirus. Lepomis macrochirus grew faster than H. cyanoguttatus when inter- and intraspecific trials were compared; however, no significant growth differences were seen when trials were structured with L. macrochirus as prior residents. The major findings of my research are a high salinity tolerance of H. cyanoguttatus, a potential mechanism for H. cyanoguttatus affecting native fishes through aggression as residents and invaders, and the presence of H. cyanoguttatus throughout the GNOMA, before and after the hurricanes.

This study examined the mediating role of parental psychological control on the association between parental psychopathology and youth relational aggression in a community sample of 118 adolescents (aged 11-17) and their parents. Additionally, an analysis was conducted to examine the moderating role of positive parenting on the association between parental psychopathology and relational aggression. Further analyses controlled for overt aggression and examined effects of youth gender. Results suggest psychological control partially mediates the association between parental psychopathology and relational aggression. The overall mediation was not significant after controlling for overt aggression; however, the association between psychological control and relational aggression remained significant. The moderation was not significant. Parental psychopathology interacted with gender; specifically, psychopathology was significantly associated with relational aggression only for boys. Findings demonstrate the complexity of associations between different parenting variables and relational aggression, and the necessity of assessing the effects of overt aggression and gender.

Relational aggression (RA) is a social phenomenon that can severely impact organizational profitability and employee productivity. A gap in the literature exists concerning appropriate interventions to manage RA. The purpose of this study was to explore successful interventions that have been used to manage RA. The theoretical framework was informed by psychological contract theory. Data were collected via semistructured face-to-face interviews with 12 victims, and then analyzed using data management, reading and memorization, description, classification, interpretation, and representation. NVivo software was used to organize the data in this study. The research consisted of 3 subquestions addressing the role of written policies in interventions, common practices and reactions of management, and victims' requests for attention to grievance reports. Five key themes emerged. The first and second pertain to the proactive and reactive role of written policies. The third and fourth focus on management's negative and positive reactions in response to grievance reports. The fifth identifies victims' expectations for their grievance reports. Commonly found interventions include impartially listening to both sides, investigation, restoration of damages, social justice, and identifying root causes for RA in the workplace. Implications for positive social change include enhanced employee well-being and performance and increased organizational effectiveness. Results may lead to positive changes by providing useful information that can be implemented by organizations to prevent and address RA, which can improve employee well-being.

This study explored the effects of a gender-based violence prevention program called Owning Up on a group of middle school students in Tampa, Florida. The majority of participants were African-American at-risk youth who voluntarily participated in the intervention. This study is novel in that it is one of the first to empirically validate curricula that addresses an array of aggressive behaviors. A mixed methods design was used to gain insight into significant changes over time, as well as treatment integrity throughout the implementation. Findings from the study found females to be more aggressive than males on all forms of aggression across time. Additionally, results suggest that minimal gains were found between pre- and post-test administrations indicating that the intervention with this particular group may have not been effective. Cultural fit, systems-level issues, and problem-solving tactics are discussed to explain the findings.

In einer Längsschnittstudie wurde untersucht, inwieweit sich die regelmäßige Beschäftigung mit dem Medium der gewalthaltigen Bildschirmspiele auf aggressionsbegünstigende Kognitionen und die Aufrechterhaltung einer aggressiven Persönlichkeitsdisposition auswirkt. Es wurden insgesamt N = 349 Mädchen und Jungen im Alter von 12 bis 16 Jahren im Abstand von sechs Monaten zweimal zu ihrem Konsum von und der Präferenz für gewalthaltige Bildschirmspiele sowie zu normativen Überzeugung bzgl. der Angemessenheit aggressiven Verhaltens in Konfliktsituationen und zur feindseligen Attribution in uneindeutigen Situationen befragt. Geschlecht und Aggressivität wurden als antezedente Variablen des Gewaltspielkonsums berücksichtigt. Die Ergebnisse zeigten, dass zwar sowohl Jungen als auch Mädchen regelmäßig Bildschirmspiele nutzten, sich aber insbesondere die hochaggressiven Jungen zu den Gewaltgenres hingezogen fühlten. Die Analyse der querschnittlichen Zusammenhänge zu T1 erbrachte, dass der Gewaltspielkonsum erwartungskonform die Akzeptanz physisch-aggressiver Handlungen vorhersagte: Je mehr sie sich mit Kampfspielen beschäftigten, desto mehr stimmten Jugendliche physisch-aggressiven Verhaltensweisen als angemessener Reaktion auf einen Konflikt zu. Dieser Zusammenhang wurde dabei durch einen Moderatoreffekt der Aggressivität qualifiziert: Danach stimmten insbesondere diejenigen Jugendlichen, die sich selbst als aggressiv beschrieben und zusätzlich viel Gewaltspiele nutzten, den aggressiven Normen zu. Der Einfluss des Medienkonsums auf die Attribution in uneindeutigen sozialen Interaktionen zeigte sich hingegen nur indirekt, fast vollständig durch die normativen Überzeugungen vermittelt. Die Analyse der längsschnittlichen Daten über den Zeitraum eines halben Jahres ergab für Mädchen und Jungen eine stärkere Beeinflussung der Aggressivität durch den Gewaltspielkonsum als umgekehrt der Beschäftigung mit dem Medium durch die Persönlichkeit. Auch die aufgrund sozialkognitiver Erklärungsmodelle zur langfristigen Wirkung von Mediengewalt getroffene Annahme, dass eine allmähliche Verfestigung aggressiver Tendenzen in der Persönlichkeitsstruktur durch verschiedene Prozesse, wie z.B. die normativen Überzeugungen vermittelt werden, konnte empirisch mittels Mediationsanalysen gestützt werden. / The relationship between exposure to and preference for violent video games and aggressive cognitions was examined in a longitudinal study. At the beginning (T1) and the end (T2) of a school-year, 349 twelve to sixteen year old adolescents in Germany reported their use of and attraction to violent electronic games and completed measures of hostile attributional style and endorsement of aggressive norms. Gender and trait aggression were considered as antecedents of violent video game usage and liking. Both girls and boys reported regular game play, but highly aggressive boys showed a particular attraction to violent games. In accordance with previous research, cross-sectional results at T1 showed a positive relationship between exposure to violent video games and aggression-enhancing cognitions. Significant relationships were found between attraction to violent games and the acceptance of norms condoning physical aggression. This finding was qualified by a moderator effect of trait aggression: highly aggressive adolescents who reported a high amount of exposure to violent games were most likely to accept aggressive strategies in dealing with interpersonal conflicts. Furthermore, violent electronic games were linked indirectly to hostile attributional style through aggressive norms. They influence information processing in ambiguous situations in terms of the attribution of hostile intent, which can be seen as an important antecedent of aggressive behavior). Using hierarchical regression analysis to relate T1 and T2 data, different models of causality concerning the link of media violence and aggression were tested. Findings suggest a stronger link between video game exposure at T1 and physical aggression at T2 than between aggression at T1 and exposure to games at T2 for both genders, supporting the hypothesis that violence in video games affects young players’ readiness to aggress. Mediation analyses further revealed that exposure to violent games at T1 influenced behavioral tendencies at T2 via an increase of aggressive norms, which is consistent with social cognitive explanations of long term effects of media violence on aggression.

Ethological and developmental studies have demonstrated the presence and importance of playful aggression for primates and children; additional studies suggest that playful aggression is also present in adulthood but is adapted and incorporated into relationships in different ways than it previously was in childhood. Little is known about young adults’ perceptions of playful aggression in romantic relationships, especially among same-sex couples. This study investigated perceptions of aggression when the sexual orientation of the couple, the severity of aggression, and the response of the recipient, who was receiving the aggression, were manipulated in a series of scenarios. Young adults, ages 18 to 25 years (N = 336) of both sexes rated a series of previously validated scales and then rated 24 scenarios. Data was analyzed using a series of repeated measures ANOVAs, paired samples t-tests, and independent t-tests. The data revealed that the response of the recipient had a significant effect on ratings of aggression such that in scenarios with a positive response (when the recipient smiled as opposed to frowning and walking away), behaviors were perceived as less aggressive. The gender of the aggressor also had a significant effect; scenarios with a male aggressor and female recipient were rated most aggressive out of the 24 scenarios. Additional results suggest that aggression in homosexual couples is perceived as less aggressive than comparable aggression in heterosexual couples. Results are discussed in the context of efforts to integrate research and develop a more cohesive understanding of playful aggression, specifically, how this aggression is perceived in adult romantic relationships.

The major part of the existing research on psychological effects on participating in war or residing in a war zone shows negative effects on the person’s mental health. However not all research, from an international perspective, shows the same results. Since we haven’t found any research regarding Swedish conditions and there has been a recent implementation of a decision from the Supreme Commander regarding commanded international service for all staff within the Swedish armed forces, the question has now become more relevant. This essay intends to examine how the direct contacts with warring counterparts have contributed to a change in Swedish soldier’s perception of their own aggression levels. High levels of aggression may be included in various types of mental illness, particularly in post-traumatic stress. Furthermore, perceived aggression levels in relation to involvement in direct fighting and combat exposure is investigated. The result demonstrates a clear increase in perceived aggression levels after the intervention, albeit from low levels. There was also an increase in perceived aggression in relation to the degree of personal combat exposure. / En överväldigande del av befintlig forskning kring psykologiska effekter av att delta i krig och stridszon påvisar en hel del negativa effekter för psykisk hälsa. Inte all forskning, internationellt sett, pekar mot samma håll. Då vi inte funnit några undersökningar avseende svenska förhållanden, och dessutom kan konstatera en implementering av ÖB Beslut gällande kommenderad utlands-tjänstgöring för samtlig personal inom de Svenska utlandsstyrkorna, gör att frågan nu blivit aktuell. Denna uppsats ämnar undersöka svenska soldaters upplevda förändringar av egna aggressionsnivåer efter insats i Afghanistan. Höga aggressionsnivåer kan ingå vid olika typer av psykisk ohälsa, bland annat vid posttraumatisk stress. Vidare undersöks upplevda aggressionsnivåer i relation med inblandning i direkta stridigheter och stridszon. Resultatet påvisar en klar ökning av upplevda aggressionsnivåer efter insats, om än från låga nivåer. Dessutom klargjordes ökningen i upplevd aggression i relation till grad av personlig stridsexponering.

The purpose of this study was to empirically evaluate hypothesized risk factors for the perpetration of antigay aggression. Specifically, the independent and interactive effects of endorsement of hegemonic male role norms and peer group relational factors (i.e., closeness) were examined as individual and situational risk factors for antigay aggression, within the framework of the General Aggression Model (GAM). Dyads of friends were recruited for participation in the study. Participants completed questionnaires that included measures of hegemonic masculinity and friendship closeness. The dyads of friends then viewed a video depicting male-male intimacy and competed in the TAP together against a fictitious gay opponent. Results showed that endorsement of the toughness norm was associated with both higher average shock intensity and proportion of highest shock selected. However, neither measure of relationship closeness served as a significant moderator of this relation.

Psychopathy is found in incarcerated populations and in the general population, among men and women. This study investigated if there were any gender differences between men and women with heightened levels of psychopathic traits regarding psychopathy factor scores, criminality, aggression and victimization. A randomized sample of 2500 mixed-sex (52.6 % women) participants (M=22.15; SD=1.38) from the general population, aged 20-24, was used. Results showed that women with psychopathic personality traits had significantly higher behavioral tendencies (e.g., impulsivity) on psychopathy than men with psychopathic personality traits. Men scored higher on violent criminal offences and criminal versatility and men and women differed in aggressive behavior and victimization. Gender differences in psychopathy features may create different needs for treatment. / Personer med psykopati finns både bland kliniska populationer och bland normalpopulationen, bland män och kvinnor. Den här studien undersökte om det fanns könsskillnader mellan män och kvinnor med förhöjda nivåer av psykopatiska drag när det gäller psykopatifaktorer, kriminalitet, aggression och utsatthet. Ett slumpmässigt urval från normalpopulationen med både män och kvinnor (52,6 %), ålder 20-24 år (M=22,15; SD=1,38), användes. Resultaten visade att kvinnor med psykopatiska egenskaper har signifikant högre beteendemässiga drag av psykopati än män med psykopatiska egenskaper. Män uppvisade högre nivåer av våldsam kriminalitet och mångfald i brott. Män och kvinnor med psykopatisk personlighet uppvisade olika aggressiva beteenden och rapporterade olika typer av utsatthet. Könsskillnader i psykopatiska egenskaper kan skapa olika behov av behandling.

Syftet med den här studien är att, genom att kontrollera sambandet mellan ungdomars Internetanvändning och deras åsikter kring hur ungdomar bör uttrycka sig på Internet, undersöka vilken typ av Internetanvändare som är mer eller mindre sannolik att acceptera, utföra eller utsättas för aggressiva/provocerande beteenden på Internet. Studien utfördes genom en kvantitativ enkätundersökning där 139 gymnasieelever från en medelstor stad i Hallands län fick svara på frågor om deras Internetvanor och deras åsikter kring beteenden på Internet. Därefter utfördes olika statistiska test i SPSS för att undersöka sambandet mellan deltagarnas Internetanvändning och deras åsikter om beteenden på Internet. Studien kom fram till att det finns ett samband mellan ungdomars aggressiva/provocerande beteenden på Internet och hur ungdomar använder Internet. Studien visar även ett samband mellan ungdomars utsatthet for aggressiva/provocerande beteenden och hur de använder Internet. Dessutom visar studien att ungdomar uppfattar sig själva generellt som bättre uppträdande än andra ungdomar, men anser varken att andra ungdomar uttrycker sig aggressivt/provocerande eller särskilt välbemötande. / The purpose of this study is the investigate adolescents’ opinions concerning online behaviors to find out whether they accept, use or are victims of aggressive/provocative behaviors online. By investigating the connection between adolescents’ use of Internet and their opinions of how other adolescents should behave online the study aims to find out which type of user is more likely to engage in aggressive/provocative behaviors online. A quantitative survey was carried out on 139 upper secondary school students at a school in an average sized city in Halland’s county. The participants answered questions concerning their online habits and their opinions about online behavior. To analyze the results the computer program SPSS was used in order to investigate the connection between the participants’ online habits and their opinions about online behavior. The study concluded that there is a connection between upper secondary students’ aggressive/provocative behaviors online and their online habits. The study also shows that there is a connection between adolescent’s exposure to these kinds of behaviors and their Internet habits. Finally, the study shows that adolescents’ interpret themselves as less aggressive/provocative than their peers, although they interpret other adolescents’ as neither aggressive/provocative nor particularly polite.