Social information processing in physically and relationally aggressive preschool children

Objective: It was examined whether physically and relationally aggressive children exhibit deficits in social information processing. Method: 193 preschool children (mean age: 55 months) were presented with hypothetical social situations in order to assess responses that indicate deficient social information processing (hostile attribution of intent, generation of aggressive responses, positive evaluation of aggression and aggressive response selection). Results: Physically aggressive children attributed more hostile intent, generated more aggressive responses, selected more aggressive reactions and had more overall deficits in social information processing than children who were not physically aggressive. Relationally aggressive children, on the other hand, did not show any problems in social information processing. Conclusions: The social information processing model does not explain relationally aggressive behavior. To prevent or reduce physical aggression, social information processing should be promoted among children of preschool age.