Personality types, aggression and antisocial behavior in adolescents

Abstract

Based on the Junior Eysenck’s Personality Questionnaire (EPQ-J), the types of personality and its relationship with aggressiveness and the antisocial behavior is analyzed in a student’s sample (N = 1416) with ages between 11 y 15 years old (average age = 13,32; SD= 1,22). Cluster analysis using the reduced version (Bryant y Smith (2001) of the Aggression Questionnaire(AQ)(Buss y Perry, 1992) revealed three personality types that were related to Eysenck’s hypothesis of antisocial behavior and the level of aggressiveness. The under controlled profile confirmed the Eysenck’s hypothesis of antisocial behavior in early adolescence, and was also found to be the most aggressive prototype. The under controlled and over controlled types were implicated in bullying, but in different ways. Furthermore, the resilient people were found to have an adaptive profile combined with the best academic achievement. Gender differences were also found in personality dimensions and aggression. The importance of aggression among young adolescents and the necessity of further research on this topic are emphasized.

Keywords

• Personality types
• adolescence
• antisocial behavior
• bullying
• aggressiveness