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The Relations Between Values and Aggression: A Developmental Perspective

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Values and Behavior

Abstract

This chapter provides a theoretical and empirical framework for understanding value development and the relations between values and aggression among adolescents. First, we review studies and theories focusing on value development during adolescence. Second, we address the relations between values and behavior in this period and discuss how these relations might change with age. Then, we turn to examine the relations between values and aggression among youth. We propose mechanisms that explain these relations, including social–cognitive theories such as the social information process theory. Finally, we discuss the clinical and practical implications in social and educational contexts and suggestions for future research.

I would there were no age between sixteen and three-and-twenty, or that youth would sleep out the rest; for there is nothing in the between but getting wenches with child, wronging the ancientry, stealing, fighting–Hark you now! Would any but these boiled brains of nineteen and two-and-twenty hunt this weather? (Shakespeare, The Winter’s Tale)

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Acknowledgements

Maya Benish-Weisman’s work on this chapter was supported by The Edmond J. Safra Brain Research Center for the Study of Learning Disabilities.

Ariel Knafo’s work on this chapter was supported by Grant No. 1670/13 from the Israel Science Foundation. Collection of the data in Fig. 5.2 was supported by a Young Scientist Grant (2058/2002) from the German-Israeli Foundation for Research and Development to Ariel Knafo.

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Benish-Weisman, M., Daniel, E., Knafo-Noam, A. (2017). The Relations Between Values and Aggression: A Developmental Perspective. In: Roccas, S., Sagiv, L. (eds) Values and Behavior. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-56352-7_5

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