The Theory of Mind and Cognitive and Affective Empathy as Predictors of Proactive and Reactive Aggression of Hearing-Impaired and Normal Children

Abstract

This study examined the theory of Mind, Cognitive and Affective Empathy as predictors of proactive and reactive aggression, and whether these associations differed between hearing-impaired children and normal children. The study included 92 hearing-impaired children, and 98 normal children from Najran and Asser, KSA, The study used proactive and reactive aggression scale )Raine, 2006(, empathy scale, and the Theory of Mind scale. The study results showed a negative correlation between the theory of mind, cognitive and affective empathy and proactive and reactive aggression. Statistically significant differences were found between hearing-impaired and normal children in the Reactive and Proactive Aggression scale, empathy scale and the theory of mind scale. Statistically significant differences were found in relation to the variable of gender. Results also found that the theory of mind, cognitive and affective empathy are predictors of proactive and reactive aggression. Thus the study recommended the early detection of hearingimpaired children and the development of training programs for them to acquire the theory of mind and cognitive skills of empathy and the emotional tasks which help them understand the thoughts and feelings and behaviors of others in order to reduce the level of aggression.