ADAPTED FROM O’BRIEN 2008: 112 -115 HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT Margaret J Meehan AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOUR
DEFINING AGGRESSION Defining In studies of aggression there appears to be a division in how it is approached: whether aggression is defined by intentionally or by result. Margaret J Meehan aggression creates many difficulties, especially when dealing with intentionality.
A distinction between physical aggression and relational (relationships) aggression is also helpful, especially when dealing with gender difference. Gender differences can be accredited to hormonal and socialisation differences. Margaret J Meehan Schafer (1996) suggests dividing the categories of aggression into: Hostile aggression – The intention of the act is to harm another. Instrumental hostility – The action is aggressive but the motivation is nonaggressive.
It has now been proposed that aggressive behaviour in childhood can become stable and persist into adulthood. An influential study by (Eron, L. et al 1971) looked at the stability of aggression from childhood to adulthood. From this study Eron concluded that “by the time the child is 8 years old, characteristic ways of behaving aggressively or non aggressively have already been established”. Farrington(1991) supports this, having done similar research, which suggests that males aggressiveness in mid-childhood was an important predictor of antisocial activities in adulthood. Margaret J Meehan
THEORIES Margaret J Meehan There are many theories put forward to shed light on what causes aggressive behaviour. v Temperament and emotional regulation. Children having difficult temperaments are more likely to experience behavioural problems and aggression. v Cognitive. Aggressive children have a greater inability to solve problems on a cognitive level and also to understand others’ intentions and motives, resulting in an inappropriate aggressive response.
THEORIES CONT. 2 v Ethological. v Social learning. Bandura’s social learning theory suggests that there is a relationship between children observing and copying aggression. Margaret J Meehan Lorenz’s ethological theory suggests that humans are inherently or naturally aggressive and have learned ways to control it. We needed it for survival.
THEORIES CONT 3 Parenting and family environment. Family environment and relationships play an influential role in the development of aggressiveness in children. Parenting styles also play a part in the levels of aggressiveness in children. v Culture. Cultural factors have a part to play in the development and maintenance of aggression. Eskimos’ emphasize peace and discourage aggressive behaviour. Other cultures encourage toughness and aggressiveness. v Margaret J Meehan
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14 Agressive Behaviour Chapter 7.pptx