Citation

Arnocky S, Vaillancourt T. Evol. Psychol. 2012; 10(2): 253-270.

Affiliation

Department of Psychology, Nipissing University.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, The Author(s), Publisher Ian Pitchford and Robert M. Young)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

22947638

Abstract

Adolescent peer-aggression has recently been considered from the evolutionary perspective of intrasexual competition for mates. We tested the hypothesis that peer-nominated physical aggression, indirect aggression, along with self-reported bullying behaviors at Time 1 would predict Time 2 dating status (one year later), and that Time 1 peer- and self-reported peer victimization would negatively predict Time 2 dating status. Participants were 310 adolescents who were in grades 6 through 9 (ages 11-14) at Time 1.  Results showed that for both boys and girls, peer-nominated indirect aggression was predictive of dating one year later even when controlling for age, peer-rated attractiveness, and peer-perceived popularity, as well as initial dating status. For both sexes, self-reported peer victimization was negatively related to having a dating partner at Time 2. Findings are discussed within the framework of intrasexual competition.

Language: en