READINESS FOR AGGRESSION AND ETHNIC PREJUDICE AMONG ITALIAN ADOLESCENTS

Written by Giovanni PIUMATTI, Davide MARENGO, Cristina MOSSO, Emanuela RABAGLIETTI on 09 November 2015. Posted in Volume XIX, Nr 1

ABSTRACT

The current research examined the relationship between individual readiness for aggression and perceived social distance from ethnic out-groups in adolescents. Marked social distance towards an out-group was considered as a sign of greater prejudice towards that group. Results showed that (a) social distances revealed ethnic out-groups hierarchies; and (b) having higher scores on readiness for aggression traits that stand for socially determined aggressive acts predicted higher social distance from the most rejected ethnic out-group (i.e., Roma out-group). The findings suggest that individual traits of readiness for aggression may influence the willingness to engage in contact with ethnic out-groups among adolescents.

KEYWORDS: readiness for aggression, prejudice, social distances, ethnic hierarchies, adolescence

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