The Effect of Bystander Features on Displaced Aggression in Provocative Situations among Male Juvenile Delinquents

TL;DR

This study shows that male juvenile delinquents are more likely to show displaced aggression in the presence of bystanders, especially those who are highly triggered.

Contribution

The study introduces new insights into how bystander characteristics influence displaced aggression among male juvenile delinquents.

Findings

Displaced aggression is higher when bystanders are present compared to when they are absent.

Male juvenile delinquents show more aggression toward highly triggered bystanders after low provocation.

The findings support the personality and social model of displaced aggression.

Abstract

Two studies were conducted to explore the influence of bystander features of displaced aggression in provocative situations among male juvenile delinquents. Study 1 examined the differences in displaced aggression between provoked male juvenile delinquents in the presence or absence of bystanders. The results revealed that provoked male juvenile delinquents exhibited significantly higher levels of displaced aggression when bystanders were present compared to when they were not. Study 2 further manipulated the bystanders’ trigger level and investigated the differences in displaced aggression exhibited by provoked male juvenile delinquents towards highly versus lowly triggered bystanders. The results indicated that after low provocation, male juvenile delinquents exhibited significantly higher levels of displaced aggression towards highly triggered bystanders compared to lowly triggered bystanders. These findings demonstrated that male juvenile delinquents exhibited a high level of displaced aggression towards bystanders in provocative situations, particularly with highly triggered bystanders. This study supported the personality and social model of displaced aggression, emphasizing that bystanders, especially those with high triggers, were more likely to become targets of displaced aggression. The current study provides references for subsequent criminal rehabilitation and crime prevention.

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