Unjustified aggression in preschool

Abstract This study investigates the nature of unjustified aggression in Spanish preschool children aged 4 to 6 years. Children were assigned to roles in aggression (Aggressor, Victim, Defender, Supporter, and Bystander) on the basis of peer, teacher, and self‐nominations. The roles taken in aggression were examined in relation to individuals' physical strength, social status, and social development. The coping strategies used by victims were also examined. Aggressive children were found to be socially rejected. Defenders were found to be the most popular children in the class, which may place them better to defend others without fear of reprisal or they may gain their status from the act of defending others. The findings also indicate that young victims do not exhibit the characteristics of older victims (e.g., social rejection and physical weakness), which confirms findings with 4‐ to 6‐year‐olds in England Monks et al. 2002a, 2002b. It is suggested that these findings relate to the instability of victimisation at this age. Aggr. Behav. 28:458–476, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.