According to an Oct. 7 article on the UVM website, Murray-Close hopes that her studies can lead to techniques that can significantly improve the lives of young girls:
In an article in the International Journal of Psychophysiology, Murray-Close used results of tests she conducted on heart rate assessment, blood pressure and sympathetic nerve system activity among 5th graders to show that heightened cardiac reactivity to provocation is associated with relational forms of aggression among girls.
She's convinced that if girls can control their reactions at the point of increased cardiac activity, they can prevent committing acts of relational aggression.
"We have girls re-live a stressor and measure how their body reacts," she says. "One of the arguments here is that if you are someone who gets very physically worked up, this may be apre -disposition to then respond to aggression. Ultimately, I'd like to develop some coping skills for girls. There's been a lot of research on physical aggression, especially among boys, but not much on what to do about relational aggression. You'd like to think your research will ultimately help children."
Labels: aggression, adolescents, research
Posted By: Aspen/CRC
