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Aggressive Behavior Prevention

When watching children grow up, they start to display different types of emotions. One

emotion that children exhibit is anger. From the emotion anger, children may lean towards

aggression to cope with their feelings. Trying out different strategies to diminish a child’s

aggressive tendencies early on may stop them continuing that behavior while they grow up.

Two types of aggression that emerge throughout childhood development are proactive

and reactive. Proactive, or instrumental aggression, is where an individual displays a certain

behavior in anticipation of getting an award (Berk, 2016, p.379). An individual displays reactive,

or hostile aggression, in an angry response to not getting their award. This type of aggression is

usually shown when the individual wants to hurt another person (Berk, 2016, p.379). Three types

of proactive and reactive aggression are: physical, verbal, and relational aggression. Physical

aggression is used to harm another with physical injury. Verbal aggression is used to harm

another “through threats of physical aggression, name-calling, or hostile teasing” (Berk, 2016,

p.379). Relational aggression is used to damage another individual’s peer relationships by gossip

or exclusion. During children’s development, there is a small difference of aggression between

males and females.

This difference of aggression is seen at around 17 months where boys are found to be

more physical aggressive (Berk, 2016, p.380). This difference is due to biology, more

specifically due to “sex hormones and temperamental traits” (Berk, 2016, p.380). It is also more

socially acceptable for boys to be physically aggressive than girls. Girls on the other hand, are

more likely to be both verbally and relationally more aggressive. Females are also typically use

“indirect relational tactics that—in disrupting intimate bonds especially important to girls—can

be particularly mean” (Berk, 2016, p.380). While it is normal for children to have aggressive
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outbursts, it’s important to try to control it early on. There are many treatments that are available

to help aggressive children. Different types of treatment available are therapists, the Incredible

Years approach, and trying to decrease stressors families experience.

Therapists can give suggestions to parents on different strategies they can include in their

parenting. These strategies might be not giving into their child’s demands, have more effective

punishments such as time outs, and be more attentive (Berk, 2016, p.383). The Incredible Years

approach is where parents complete weekly sessions and are taught different parental techniques.

These techniques help promote “children’s academic, emotional, and social skills and for

managing disrupting behaviors” (Berk, 2016, p. 383). These sessions also provide coaching and

give parents the ability to practice effective behaviors. Practicing these behaviors can promote

“positive parenting, including attention, encouragement, and praise for prosocial behaviors”

(Berk, 2016, p.384). Another way to combat a child’s aggression is by providing social supports.

These social supports can help alleviate the stress the families go through. The alleviated stress

may help decrease the child’s aggression.

It’s important to understand and know the types of aggression a child can have and what

can be implemented to decrease their aggressive behavior. While boys have a higher chance of

showing physical aggression, girls are more likely to show verbal and relational aggression. To

help decrease their child’s aggression, several options are available for parents. By going to a

therapist, or taking part in the Incredible Years program, parents can learn different strategies to

promote a positive relationship with their child. This positive relationship between family

members may help decrease the child’s aggression early in their development. Providing social

supports can also diminish stress that family members are subjected to. By dealing with their
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child’s aggression early on, it may decrease the chance they will continue their aggressive

behavior throughout their lives.

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References

Berk, L. E., & Meyers, A. B. (2016). Infants, children, and adolescents (8th ed.). Boston:

. Pearson. 379, 380, 383, 384