Group Norms and Self–Aggressive Behavior

Abstract

Abstract There is evidence from nonexperimental studies that group norms may influence both lethal and non–lethal self–aggressive behaviors. Nonexperimental studies, however, provide little information about potential cause–and–effect relationships. Accordingly, we experimentally examined whether self–aggressive group norms influence self–aggressive intent and behavior. Participants (N= 107) were exposed either to high–, low–, or mixed–self–aggressive group normative information, or were provided no normative information. After group norms were established, the participant stated his or her own self–aggressive intentions, and then completed a laboratory task designed to assess self–aggressive behavior. Results support the notion that group norms play a strong role in the expression of self–aggressive behavior. Clinical implications and the limitations of laboratory studies of self–aggression are discussed.