AGGRESSION, INCIVILITY, FORGIVENESS, AND DEVIANT BEHAVIOR

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the incremental validity of forgiveness and experiences of incivility to the prediction of deviant behavior by trait aggression. Participants consisted of 480 undergraduate students at a large southeastern university. An online survey format measured the two facets of trait aggression (implicit and explicit), forgiveness, experiences of incivility, and deviant behavior. Overall, implicit and explicit aggression interacted in their prediction of aggressive behavior such that higher levels of explicit aggression enhanced the relationship between implicit aggression and deviant behavior. Additionally, individuals reporting more recent incidents of being the target of uncivil behavior were more likely to engage in deviant behavior whereas individuals demonstrating higher levels of forgiveness were less likely to engage in deviant behavior. The study serves to highlight additional variables that influence and potentially decrease the occurrence of deviant behaviors in academic and organizational settings.