Seven Messages of Aggressive Imagery: Receiving the Communications of Latency Age Children

by Steve Heynen

This study investigates aggressive imagery in the art and play of latency-age children (7-11 years), seeking to clarify the possible meanings and messages communicated by that imagery. The specific question addressed is: what may be communicated by aggression in the imagery of latency-age children? Seven key categories of aggressive expression are identified. These categories are products of both existing theory on aggression and phenomenological analysis of case material. An understanding of these categories would be beneficial to any Art or Play Therapist confronted with aggressive imagery in the creative expressions of their latency-age clients.