Children's normative beliefs about aggression are self-regulating beliefs about the appropriateness of aggressive behaviors. In two studies, researchers developed and validated a scale to assess these beliefs in elementary school children, finding it reliable and valid. They also examined the longitudinal relationship between normative beliefs about aggression and aggressive behavior in a large sample of children from poor urban neighborhoods. The findings showed that children's approval of aggression increased with age, correlating with increased aggressive behavior. In younger children, aggressive behavior predicted changes in normative beliefs, while in older children, normative beliefs predicted aggressive behavior. Aggressive behavior is stable from early childhood, with patterns emerging as early as 12 months. By age 8, aggressiveness becomes a stable personality trait. While the causes of this stability are debated, childhood aggression is a strong predictor of adult aggression. Aggressive behavior is influenced by a combination of early predispositions and learning experiences. Cognitive mechanisms, including social information processing, play a key role in regulating aggressive behavior. The concept of scripts, or cognitive schemas, is central to understanding aggressive behavior. Scripts for aggression are encoded, rehearsed, and retrieved similarly to scripts for intellectual behavior. These scripts contribute to the stability of aggression over time. Normative beliefs, which are individual cognitive standards about the acceptability of behavior, regulate actions by prescribing allowable and prohibited behaviors. These beliefs influence emotional reactions and the use of appropriate scripts. Normative beliefs are influenced by both internal and external factors. They are not the same as social norms but are closely related. They influence how individuals process social cues and respond to situations. In children, normative beliefs are more malleable and less stable than in older children. However, once established, they become more resistant to change. The study found that normative beliefs about aggression correlate with actual aggressive behavior, particularly in boys. These correlations are significant but not extremely high. The revised scale for measuring normative beliefs was found to be reliable and valid for use with elementary school children. Longitudinal data showed that normative beliefs about aggression become more stable with age, and in older children, these beliefs predict aggressive behavior. The findings support a developmental learning model where early elementary school years are critical for the development of normative beliefs about social behavior. Children's early behavior influences their later beliefs, but once beliefs are established, they become more stable and influential on subsequent behavior. Normative beliefs about aggression can affect how children perceive and respond to others' behaviors, influencing their own aggressive actions.Children's normative beliefs about aggression are self-regulating beliefs about the appropriateness of aggressive behaviors. In two studies, researchers developed and validated a scale to assess these beliefs in elementary school children, finding it reliable and valid. They also examined the longitudinal relationship between normative beliefs about aggression and aggressive behavior in a large sample of children from poor urban neighborhoods. The findings showed that children's approval of aggression increased with age, correlating with increased aggressive behavior. In younger children, aggressive behavior predicted changes in normative beliefs, while in older children, normative beliefs predicted aggressive behavior. Aggressive behavior is stable from early childhood, with patterns emerging as early as 12 months. By age 8, aggressiveness becomes a stable personality trait. While the causes of this stability are debated, childhood aggression is a strong predictor of adult aggression. Aggressive behavior is influenced by a combination of early predispositions and learning experiences. Cognitive mechanisms, including social information processing, play a key role in regulating aggressive behavior. The concept of scripts, or cognitive schemas, is central to understanding aggressive behavior. Scripts for aggression are encoded, rehearsed, and retrieved similarly to scripts for intellectual behavior. These scripts contribute to the stability of aggression over time. Normative beliefs, which are individual cognitive standards about the acceptability of behavior, regulate actions by prescribing allowable and prohibited behaviors. These beliefs influence emotional reactions and the use of appropriate scripts. Normative beliefs are influenced by both internal and external factors. They are not the same as social norms but are closely related. They influence how individuals process social cues and respond to situations. In children, normative beliefs are more malleable and less stable than in older children. However, once established, they become more resistant to change. The study found that normative beliefs about aggression correlate with actual aggressive behavior, particularly in boys. These correlations are significant but not extremely high. The revised scale for measuring normative beliefs was found to be reliable and valid for use with elementary school children. Longitudinal data showed that normative beliefs about aggression become more stable with age, and in older children, these beliefs predict aggressive behavior. The findings support a developmental learning model where early elementary school years are critical for the development of normative beliefs about social behavior. Children's early behavior influences their later beliefs, but once beliefs are established, they become more stable and influential on subsequent behavior. Normative beliefs about aggression can affect how children perceive and respond to others' behaviors, influencing their own aggressive actions.