Aggression Is A Learned Behavior

Aggression And Violence Are Learned Behaviors

By George Anderson

Decades of research has demonstrated the fact that learning plays a major role in violent behavior. This extensive research has shown that children can learn to be violent and can be taught to be non violent with equal effectiveness.

A simple example of how aggression is learned can be seen in how children are rewarded or punished for aggressive behavior. If children receive support by being aggressive, they are more likely to repeat the same type of behavior. In contrast, if children are rejected or shunned by others and receive more punishment, they will be prompted to learn more acceptable ways of behavior.

Children who are suspended from school for fighting or aggressive behavior do not learn alternative behaviors; rather, they are rewarded by not having to attend school for their aggressive behavior. Since aggression is an impediment to precision learning in childhood, these aggressive youngsters are generally the same children who are at risk of failing academically.

Some enlightened school districts are substituting anger management classes or tutorials in lieu of suspension for fighting or other aggressive behavior. Anger management classes teach skills in managing anger, stress, communication and emotional intelligence.
Common sense would suggest that this approach is far more valuable than supporting the child’s negative behavior by permitting him to stay home, watch television, play video games are participate in activities which are not growth producing.
A new study finds that classroom harmony improves when all youngsters, not just well-known troublemakers, are taught how to control their outbursts, said Stephen Smith, a University of South Florida special education professor. “Kids who are chronically disruptive or aggressive in the classroom take up a lot of teacher time,” he said. “That’s time the teacher doesn’t have to give to all the kids in the room who are behaving and doing what they’re supposed to be doing.”
A frequently unnoticed consequence of suspension is the loss to the school of the ADA (average daily attendance) funds in effect during the child’s suspension. A far better arrangement is to teach the child and his family anger management skills by encouraging the parents of these children to enroll in anger management classes offered in the local Adult Education School. Parallel anger management classes for both the child and his parents are more likely to lead to permanent change in the child and his parents.

For information on School Districts using the Anderson & Anderson model of anger management, please contact George Anderson at georgeanderson@aol.com or visit our website at www.andersonservices.com

George Anderson, MSW, BCD
Fellow, American Orthopsychiatric Association
--- Anderson & Anderson is the major provider of anger management/executive coaching in the world.