Outcome expectancies and outcome values as predictors of children's aggression

Social learning theory predicts that outcome expectancies and values should independently predict behavior, but past studies of aggression have failed to test this hypothesis specifically. We asked low-socioeconomic status children to imagine themselves engaging in aggressive behaviors and to rate the likelihood of each of a number of outcomes (outcome expectancies) and to rate how much they cared about those outcomes (outcome values). The relationship between self-reported aggression and outcome expectancies, values, and expectancy by value interactions was assessed. Expectancies, values, and their interactions were differentially related to aggression depending on the specific outcome investigated (e.g,, punishment, bad feelings in self or other, prevention of future aggression, and peer respect), Results are discussed in terms of implications for theory and for future research.

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