The problem with which this investigation is concerned is that of determining the effects significant symbolic interactions such as victimization, have on the acceptance of aggression and the expectation of assertive traits in children. Information from the General Social Survey (years 1973, 1975, 1976, and 1978) is used to establish measures of victimization, acceptance of aggression, and expectations of assertive traits in children. The findings provide only slight support for a model which places emphasis on the importance of traumatic events in bringing about changes in attitudes. Factors such as age, occupational prestige, education, and military experience appear to be helpful in explaining the conditions under which attitude changes are most likely to occur as a function of victimization.

This study investigated whether behavior disordered children would decrease aggressive behavior if their social interest were developed. Three hypotheses that were tested predicted that there would be a significant difference between the control group and the experimental group on adjusted mean scores on aggressive behavior on post test scores. The measuring instruments used were the Child Behavior Checklist Parent Report Form, the Child Behavior Checklist Teacher Report Form, and the Child Behavior Checklist Director Observation Form. It was also predicted that there would be a significant difference between the control group and the experimental group on post test adjusted mean scores as measured on the Social Interest Scale. An analysis of covariance was employed to test the data. Behavior disordered students in the experimental group participated in three activities designed to develop their social interest. They participated in peer tutoring, socialization with nursing home residents, and group discussions. Data were collected from parents, teachers, and observers of behavior disordered students in an elementary school in Northwest Louisiana during the summer term of 1987. Teachers did report a statistically significant difference between the experimental and the control groups in the decrease of aggressive behavior. These results are in accord with predictions generated by Adlerian theory and with naturalistic data. Parents and observers did not report a statistically significant difference between the two groups in the decrease of aggressive behavior. Significant differences were not found between the experimental and control groups in the development of social interest. Since the teachers did report statistically significant results in this study, it is recommended that these same activities to develop social interest be repeated, that counseling sessions be designed to be more therapeutic, and that additional modeling and role playing be included. It is further recommended that an instrument be developed to measure social interest in children, and that parents and teachers of the children be provided with education and training in Adlerian theory and its application to their interactions with children.