PSYCHOLOGICAL AGGRESSION

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PSYCHOLOGICAL AGGRESSION

• -Stacey Crusinbery
• Guidance Counselor
• Iola Middle School

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TYPES OF PSYCHOLOGICAL AGGRESSION

• RELATIONAL AGGRESSION - any behavior that is
  intended to harm someone by damaging or
  manipulating relationships with others. -Julia
  V. Taylor, 2008

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TYPES OF PSYCHOLOGICAL AGGRESSION

• SOCIAL AGGRESSION behavior intended to damage
  social status or reputation (gossip, rumors)
  Rachel Simmons 2004

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TYPES OF PSYCHOLOGICAL AGGRESSION

• INDIRECT AGGRESSION disguising harmful behavior
  by saying just kidding or where aggressor is
  anonymous Rachel Simmons 2004

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TYPES OF PSYCHOLOGICAL AGGRESSION

• NON VERBAL GESTURING negative body language
  (eye rolling, sighing) Rachel Simmons 2004

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EXAMPLES OF PSYCHOLOGICAL AGGRESSION

• Spreading rumors
• Exclusion
• Passing nasty notes
• Accidently bumping into someone
• Damaging property
• Persuading friends to exclude someone you are mad
  at
• Revealing secrets
• Backstabbing
• Saying something mean followed by just kidding
• Cyber-Aggression

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Cyber-Aggression

• Using technology to deliberately harm somebody

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Tools of Cyber-Aggression

• Texting
• Email
• Chat Rooms
• Blogs
• Cell phones
• Facebook, Bebo, etc.

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Cyber-Aggression

• This is becoming more and more out of control as
  our technological capabilities sky-rocket.
  Technology seems to be the choice of weapon for
  todays adolescents.

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Developmental Stages of Psychological Aggression

• Girls start learning these behaviors in
  preschool. Example Dont sit by Sally she
  isnt wearing a ribbon in her hair!
• In early elementary school girls start to use
  friendship as a weapon. Example If you talk
  to her, I wont be your friend anymore!
• In middle school there are more jealousy issues
  especially as boys become more and more
  important. Girls find more and more ways to get
  even using psychological aggression. (Example
  You wont believe what Dana just said about
  you! or Those jeans make you look fat!, and
  then OMG! Dont take it so seriously, I was
  just kidding!

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Some Causes of Relational Aggression

• Jealousy
• Fear of peer rejection
• Negative role models
• High family expectations
• They love drama!
• Need to control
• Lack of supervision

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NORMAL PART OF GROWING UP?

• In early childhood it is common for children to
  become frustrated as they learn to interact with
  others. A common response to that frustration is
  rejection. - Julia V. Taylor, 2008

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NORMAL PART OF GROWING UP?

• Conflict is a part of every persons life
  experience. We all learn ways to deal with
  conflict early in life. Do you know adults that
  gossip, spread rumors, exclude others, or reveal
  secrets?

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NORMAL PART OF GROWING UP?

• The sense of belonging is essential to adolescent
  development. During middle school peers define
  who you are!

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NORMAL PART OF GROWING UP?

• Psychological aggression becomes a way to avoid
  dealing with conflicts. It can become a habit
  and the effects can be life-long for victims and
  aggressors.

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SOME EFFECTS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL AGGRESSION

• Low self-esteem
• Low grades
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Physical fighting
• Self-harming

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WAYS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

• Change your reaction to gossip and rumors.
• Write an apology letter to someone you hurt.
• Write a letter to a close friend who has hurt you
  and then throw it away.
• Talk it out privately!
• Forgive each other dont hold grudges.

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Change Your Focus

• Its okay to feel hurt, embarrassed, or jealous.
  EVERYONE HAS THOSE FEELINGS SOMETIMES!
• Not expressing those feelings can poison
  relationships. Conflict is healthy. Not dealing
  with the issue is the problem.

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Change Your Focus
Remember there's no such thing as a small act of
kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no
logical end. Scott Adams