Adult-Directed and Peer-Directed Respect for Authority: Relationships with Aggressive and Manipulative Behavior

Authors

Katherine H. Clemans, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthFollow
Julia A. Graber, University of Florida
Amie F. Bettencourt, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-1-2012

Publication Title

Journal of Research on Adolescence

Abstract

This study investigated whether respect for adult and peer authority are separate attitudes which have distinct relationships with aggressive and manipulative behavior. Items assessing admiration for and obedience toward parents, teachers, popular students, and friend group leaders were administered to 286 middle school students (M age = 12.6 years). Factor analysis revealed two primary factors which corresponded to adult-directed and peer-directed respect orientations. Results suggested that adult-directed respect was associated with lower levels of aggression and social manipulation, whereas peer-directed respect was associated with higher levels of these behaviors. The role of peer-directed respect as a risk factor for negative social behavior in adolescence is discussed.

Volume

22

Issue

3

First Page

480

Last Page

486

DOI

10.1111/j.1532-7795.2012.00784.x

ISSN

10508392

Comments

Peer reviewed accepted manuscript.

Recommended Citation

Clemans, Katherine H.; Graber, Julia A.; and Bettencourt, Amie F., "Adult-Directed and Peer-Directed Respect for Authority: Relationships with Aggressive and Manipulative Behavior" (2012). Psychology: Faculty Publications, Smith College, Northampton, MA.
https://scholarworks.smith.edu/psy_facpubs/193