The Development of Social Information Processing and the Prediction of Physical Aggression in Preschool Children

Beelmann A, Lösel F, Stemmler M, Jaursch S. The Development of Social Information Processing and the Prediction of Physical Aggression in Preschool Children. PSYCHOLOGIE IN ERZIEHUNG UND UNTERRICHT. 2010;57(2):119-131.This article addresses the development of social information processing (SIP) and its predictive value for physical aggression by considering cognitive and social factors (hyperactivity/attention deficits, intelligence, social class). Test data and behavioral ratings from preschool teachers stem from the Erlangen-Nuremberg Development and Prevention Study and were assessed at two consecutive measurement waves with one year interval at a group of 334 four-to-seven-year old preschool children. As expected, results initially showed a significant increase in competencies in SIP as well as a slight decrease in physical aggression, which were moderately associated. Concerning the development of SIP all predictors reached significance. However, we found some gender specific results. Regression analyses showed that hyperactivity/attention deficits was the best predictor for the level of physical aggression. Looking at the change score for physical aggression, SIP has - at least for girls - some additional predictive value. Further differential analyses showed that high competencies in SIP among a small subgroup of girls with high hyperactivity/attention deficits lead to significant reduction in physical aggression. These results are discussed with respect to recent studies in the field and implications for preventive measures within this age group