DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/27B4-3F82
Defense Date
2013
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Wendy K. Kliewer
Abstract
Ample research shows that revenge goals are correlated with maladjustment and retaliation is an important factor driving youth violence. Still, in environments with limited institutionalized interventions revenge might be an indispensable tool to maintain social equilibrium. This qualitative secondary analysis of 50 (30 Boys) revenge scenarios from a larger longitudinal study (N=358 dyads of youth/maternal caregiver) expands existing one-dimensional knowledge of revenge from closed-answer vignettes to the rich real world experience of 10-16 year old youth from an urban community sample. Key findings showed significant qualitative differences in both cognition and emotions of revenge scenarios. Ten distinct patterns emerged and were discussed in relation to the revised model of Social Information Processing (SIP) by Lemerise and Arsenio (2000). Specifically, importance of reputation, retaliation as a public event, confidence in non-violent solutions, parental messages, and the influence of intense emotions were important themes. Gender differences and implications for prevention are discussed.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
April 2014