Sex differences in covert aggression among adults

TLDR

Previous research shows adolescent girls use indirect aggression more than boys, while boys use more physical aggression, and both sexes use direct verbal aggression equally; covert aggression involves disguising intent to avoid retaliation or condemnation. The present study investigated whether adult males employ indirect aggression to the same extent as females. The study surveyed 333 university employees (162 males, 176 females) using the Work Harassment Scale, focusing on rational‑appearing aggression and social manipulation subscales. Males used rational‑appearing aggression significantly more often than females, whereas females used social manipulation more than males. © 1994 Wiley‑Liss, Inc.

Abstract

In previous studies [Aggressive Behavior 14: 403–414, 1988; Aggressive Behavior 18: 117–127, 1992] it was found that adolescent girls used indirect means of aggression more than adolescent boys, whereas physical aggression was used more by boys, and direct verbal aggression was used equally by both sexes. The present study investigated whether males, as adults, start to employ indirect aggression to the same extent as females. Three hundred thirty-three university employees (162 males, 176 females) filled in the Work Harassment Scale by Björkqvist et al. [1994]. Special attention was drawn to two subscales: rational-appearing aggression and social manipulation. It was found that males used the former type of aggression significantly more often than females, while females used the latter more than males. Both are variants of covert aggression, in which the perpetrator tries to disguise his/her aggressive intentions, in order to avoid retaliation and/or social condemnation. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.