Trait verbal aggressiveness and the appropriateness and effectiveness of fathers' interaction plans

Abstract

1996) Trait verbal aggressiveness and the appropriateness and effectiveness of fathers' interaction plans, Communication Quarterly, 44:1, 1-15,

Interactive effects of parents’ trait verbal aggressiveness and situational frustration on parents’ self‐reported anger

“…Combined with the tendency for parents high in trait verbal aggressiveness to engage is coercive disciplinary tactics (Bayer & Cegala, 1992;Beatty, et al, 1996;Rudd, et al, in press), anger stimulated by children's noncompliance might be viewed as a potential intensifier of parental response. In recent years, temperament researchers (e.g., Chess & Thomas, 1989) have begun to identify types of children based on inborn, neurobiologically-driven behavior patterns.…”

“…Although the interaction of trait verbal aggressiveness and induced frustration in the production of anger constitutes an important proposition in Infante's work on the construct, empirical confirmation was not evident in the literature. Researchers had established that escalation of aggression is more likely when interactants' interaction goals are blocked (Beatty, et al, 1996;deTurck, 1987;Harris, Gergen, & Lannamann, 1986;Infante, et al, 1989;Infante, et al, 1990;Infante, Trebing, Sheperd, & Seed, 1984;Lim, 1990;Rudd, et al, in press) and that fathers high in trait verbal aggressiveness include Rudd, Vogl-Bauer, Dobos, Beatty and Valencic more violent tactics in their plans for interacting with disobedient children than do fathers who are less verbally aggressive (Beatty, et al, 1996;Rudd, et al, in press). However, aggressive behavior and subjectively experienced anger are conceptually distinct.…”

“…This particular finding is important because other studies have shown that sarcasm and criticism from fathers have negative effects on sons' social relationships and personal development (Beatty & Dobos, 1992a, 1992b, 1993a, 1993b, 1993c. Recent studies, have shown that fathers' trait verbal aggressiveness is negatively correlated with the appropriateness and effectiveness of their plans for interacting with noncompliant sons (Beatty, Burant, Dobos, & Rudd, 1996;Rudd, et al, in press).…”

“…Indeed, published studies indicate that in contrast to persons low in the trait, communicators high in trait verbal aggressiveness plan to send and report sending more aggressive messages (e.g. Beatty, et al, 1996;Infante, Riddle, Horvath, & Tumlin, 1992;Infante, Sabourin, Rudd, & Shannon, 1990). A second defining feature of verbal aggressiveness is intent to inflict psychological pain or harm (Infante, 1987a;Infante & Wigley, 1986).…”

Verbal aggression in sibling relationships

“…Verbal aggression is often linked to lower competency skills. Thus, communicating verbally aggressively in families can be viewed as ineffective and inappropriate (Beatty, Burant, Dobos, & Rudd, 1996). For example, verbal aggression between siblings can lead to social difficulties with peers (Stormshak et al, 1996).…”