Indirect aggression, first used by Bjorkqvist (2001) is when someone harms someone else covertly; most goes undetected by authoritative figures (Coyne, Archer, & Elsea, 2004). Examples of indirect aggression include spreading rumors, passing ill-intentioned notes, or other ways of damaging a person’s self-worth. Relational aggression differs only slightly from indirect aggression in that it focuses on hindering acceptance in a peer group or among friends. In some cases, relational aggression can be overt, like when someone tells another person that they no longer want that person to sit at their lunch table. Finally, social aggression is like a combination of both indirect and relational aggression. It includes anything that damages another’s reputation, self-esteem, or both (Coyne, Archer, & Elsea, 2004).

          Coyne, Archer, and Elsea studied the frequency and harmfulness of indirect, relational, and social aggression among 11 to 15 year olds in North West England (2006). The purpose of their study was to determine if a relationship existed between the frequency of these types of aggression in school setting with adolescents and the frequency of aggression on television. They developed the Indirect/Social/Relational Aggression scale based off of several scales used by other researchers. The results of their study found that even though students are exposed to the three types of aggression in school, television has a much higher frequency of aggression. Also, there was evidence to suggest a distinction between the terms indirect, social, and relational aggression; however, there was also evidence to suggest the integration of these terms. In conclusion, the Coyne, Archer and Elsea suggest that researchers stop debating the definitions of relational aggression and instead focus their efforts on trying to solve this harmful problem (2006). 

References

Coyne, S.M., Archer., and Elsea M. (2006). “We’re Not Friends Anymore! Unless…”: The Frequency and Harmfulness of Indirect, Relational, and Social Aggression. Aggressive Behavior  32. 294-307.