This dissertation had two major objectives. One was to provide an integrative literature review to answer the question: How do aggressive, inner city, African American boys use aggression to cope with the developmental tasks of adolescence? The second major objective was to suggest ways of extending psychoanalytic theory so that it could address psychological development in the unique sociocultural environment in which African American, inner city, adolescent boys grow. In this dissertation, I have called for acknowledging the central role of aggression in psychological development. While traditional psychoanalytic theory, as represented by Mahler and many neo-Freudians, defines maturation by separation and individuation, I have offered a critique of this approach and suggested that it has limited value in addressing the issues of this population. As a result, this dissertation discussed growth in terms of the quality of the intersubjective space and the sense of interdependence within the family dynamic. In order to help an adolescent integrate aggression into his character structure, it must be acknowledged that acts of aggression can be driven by different developmental needs and can have multiple meanings. By bringing together the contextual richness of sociocultural research and the depth of the intrapsychic and interpersonal complexity of psychoanalytic theory, this dissertation provided a deeper understanding of aggression among inner city, African American youth. As such, it is clear that the sociocultural context has a profound impact on development. While the danger of the environment can impinge on the family, developmental trauma can make the environment feel more threatening. Effective limit setting and containment play a vital role in helping a child metabolize aggression. In this way, a psychic space is formed that allows an individual to contain his aggressive urges and reconcile conflicts.