Reference no: EM133276715

Question: Summarizing the Research Question and Findings: This study looked at the relationship between self-esteem (SE) and aggressive behavior in childhood and found mixed results. Researchers relied on explicit measures of SE to determine positive self-regard, which may have caused some confusion.

Researchers confounded two distinct types of self-esteem: a secure self-regard (characterized by high levels of explicit self-esteem and implicit self-esteem) and a defensive self-regard (characterized by high levels of explicit self-esteem but low levels of implicit self-esteem).

Researchers tested the hypothesis that children with high levels of defensive SE but not secure SE engage in higher levels of aggressive behavior. A total of 93 children completed both explicit and implicit SE measures. In addition, teachers assessed the levels of physical and relational aggression among students.

Results showed that explicit SE is positively associated with aggression when implicit SE levels are low but not when implicit SE levels are high.