A longitudinal assessment of trait argumentativeness and verbal aggressiveness between seventh and eighth grades

Abstract

This study reports on a longitudinal assessment of adolescent students levels of aggressive communication traits. Two hundred thirty‐eight eighth grade students who completed a one‐week training program “Arguing Constructively”; were assessed approximately one year later on argumentativeness and verbal aggressiveness. Results revealed no significant differences between measures of ARGgt taken immediately after the training and one obtained seven months to one year later. However, students’ levels of verbal aggressiveness were significantly higher seven months to one year later than immediately following post training. Implications of these findings, and suggestions for modifying the training program are offered.

Keywords:

• argumentativeness
• verbal aggressiveness
• trait development
• adolescents
• training