Chap 5

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary reason cited for the lack of longitudinal studies investigating physical aggression starting from birth?

The lack of interest in studying the development of aggression in early childhood.

The assumption that physical aggression emerges later in childhood due to social learning. (correct)

The high cost and effort associated with longitudinal studies.

The belief that physical aggression is primarily a product of genetics.

What is the main focus of this chapter according to the provided text?

Explaining various theories of physical aggression.

Describing the developmental trajectory of physical aggression from birth to adulthood. (correct)

Examining the social and cultural influences on physical aggression.

Analyzing the connection between physical aggression and mental disorders.

What is a key characteristic of adolescent-limited offenders, as described in the 2002 World Health Organization report?

They display minimal evidence of aggression in their childhood. (correct)

They are more likely to commit violent acts as adults.

They typically suffer from chronic physical aggression.

They exhibit consistently high levels of aggression throughout childhood.

What is the primary reason given for the need to better understand the development of physical aggression?

To develop strategies for preventing chronic aggression. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a factor influencing the development of aggressive behaviour according to the social learning perspective?

The influence of biological factors on aggression. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why are longitudinal studies crucial for understanding the development of physical aggression?

They enable researchers to track changes in aggression across the lifespan. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a significant outcome of better understanding the development of physical aggression?

Developing effective strategies for preventing and treating aggression. (C) Signup and view all the answers

The author suggests that early intervention to address physical aggression is important because:

It can help reduce the occurrence of chronic aggression later in life. (D) Signup and view all the answers

According to the provided text, what is the simplest way to define 'physical aggression'?

By observing and categorizing the physical actions involved in confrontational encounters. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the estimated rate of 'homicide' among chimpanzees?

261 per 100,000 (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main argument presented in the text regarding the historical decline of violence?

The civilizing process has led to a significant decrease in physical violence. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT mentioned as an example of basic physical aggression in the text?

Talking back (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does the text define chronic physical aggression?

A constant tendency to engage in physical aggression over a long period. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using longitudinal studies to assess chronic physical aggression?

To understand the development of aggressive behaviors over time. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main point of the text regarding the Olympics?

The Olympic Games reflect the primitive nature of human aggression. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the author's overall view on the historical decline of violence?

The decline of violence is a positive development that should be celebrated. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does the study by Côté et al. (2007) show about the developmental trajectories of physical aggression?

Half of the children are on a middle trajectory of physical aggression, a third are on a low trajectory, and 17% are on a high trajectory. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why is the 'high trajectory' in physical aggression classified as chronic?

Because it is a persistent pattern that is distinct from occasional bursts of aggression. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of using longitudinal data to study physical aggression?

Longitudinal data provide a detailed account of the development of physical aggression over time, capturing changes and trends. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What challenges are associated with identifying risk factors for subgroups of occasional physical aggression compared to chronic physical aggression?

It is difficult to differentiate subgroups of occasional aggression because their patterns of aggression are highly variable and less consistent. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does the study of physical aggression in infancy contribute to our understanding of its development?

It reveals that physical aggression emerges as infants develop motor skills and the ability to intentionally use physical force. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of studying the developmental trajectories of physical aggression?

It provides insights into the factors that contribute to the development of physical aggression and the potential for intervention. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main point of the text regarding the relationship between chronic and occasional physical aggression?

Risk factors for chronic aggression are easier to identify than those for occasional aggression. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main point of the text regarding the development of physical aggression?

Physical aggression is a complex phenomenon that can be understood by considering the interaction of individual and environmental factors. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the mechanisms that can change gene function without altering the gene sequence?

Epigenetics (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following maternal characteristics is NOT mentioned as a factor related to trajectories of chronic physical aggression?

Socioeconomic status (A) Signup and view all the answers

How do environmental factors affect gene expression according to the concept of epigenetics?

By changing chromatin structure and DNA methylation (B) Signup and view all the answers

What are DNA methylation changes considered to be in relation to environmental influences during development?

Markers of environmental effects (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following studies provides insight into the effects of neglectful environments on gene expression in rat pups?

An experimental study by Weaver et al. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What physiological system is affected by changes in the glucocorticoid receptor due to maternal neglect, as seen in the study of rat pups?

Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of these aspects is highlighted as a significant challenge for the future in integrating preventive interventions?

Integration of preventive experiments with longitudinal studies (B) Signup and view all the answers

What role do environmental effects play in epigenetics during early development?

They program genes to express certain traits (C) Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of children on a high physical aggression trajectory reported having a criminal record by age 24 years?

28.2% (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which demographic is most significantly at risk for chronic physical aggression between the ages of 10 to 15 years?

Boys (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was determined as contributing factors to the frequency of physical aggression by fathers?

Both genetic and environmental factors (A) Signup and view all the answers

What social outcomes are linked to childhood physical aggression by the end of elementary school?

Criminal outcomes in adolescence and adulthood (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated about the use of physical aggression in boys and girls in the first year after birth?

There are no significant differences in frequency. (A) Signup and view all the answers

By what percentage do children on a high physical aggression trajectory account for all recorded violent charges?

57.4% (C) Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the variance in physical aggression frequency was attributed to common environmental contributions according to the longitudinal study of twins?

42% (B) Signup and view all the answers

How many percent of children on a high physical aggression trajectory reported being on welfare assistance?

Not specified (A) Signup and view all the answers

What factors are identified as more significant risk factors for disorganized behavior in children?

Mother characteristics (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is one proposed mechanism linking poor early environments to behavioral issues?

Bio-psycho-social mechanisms (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does the epigenetic story provide regarding physical and mental disorders?

An environmentally based explanation (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was the focus of the first epigenetic study involving children with chronic physical aggression?

DNA methylation of the serotonin transporter (D) Signup and view all the answers

In the study, what was measured alongside DNA methylation patterns?

Serotonin synthesis in the brain (D) Signup and view all the answers

What specific CpG sites were found to have increased DNA methylation in boys with chronic aggression?

Sites on the serotonin transporter gene (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated by the findings concerning serotonin synthesis and DNA methylation?

They correlate with childhood aggression (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant observation regarding the subjects in the study conducted by Wang et al. (2012)?

Their aggression trajectories were tracked longitudinally (A) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Developmental Origins of Physical Aggression

This chapter examines the development of physical aggression from childhood to adulthood.
Key questions addressed include the onset of aggression, causes of chronic aggression, prevention strategies, and why situational aggression prevention is important.
Longitudinal studies, starting close to birth, are necessary to understand the development of aggression.
Previous approaches to understanding aggression often focused on social learning theory, emphasizing learned responses to frustration and observation of models.
Rousseau's perspective contrasts Hobbes' view of innate human selfishness, pointing to a crucial debate about the origins of antisocial behavior.
Physical aggression is a crucial component of human behavior; it served our ancestors for survival (e.g., hunting, defense, resource acquisition).
However, humans also need to use aggression sparingly to maintain social cohesion.
Decreased rates of homicides across Europe over the last 500 years highlight the civilizing process and reduced reliance on physical violence. Chimpanzees, our closest non-human relatives, have significantly higher rates of homicide.

Defining Physical Aggression

Physical aggression can be defined as any physical act intended to harm another person.
The specific physical actions (hitting, kicking, etc.) can vary significantly.
Playful aggression is differentiated from that intended to cause harm.

Development During Early Childhood

Children begin demonstrating physical aggression toward the end of the first year of life.
The Québec Longitudinal Study of Child Development tracked aggression trajectories from infancy to age 6.
Findings highlighted that some children display chronic high aggression, while others show occasional aggression.

Chronic vs. Occasional Aggression

Chronic physical aggression involves significantly higher frequency over time.
Longitudinal studies, tracking aggression repeatedly, provide a more accurate measure of chronic aggression.
Retrospective data can be inaccurate when assessing the onset of aggression.
Occasional aggression is common and is typical in specific developmental periods.

Outcomes of Chronic Aggression

Chronic physical aggression in childhood is linked negatively to various later outcomes.
These outcomes can include poor school performance, social difficulties, mental health issues, and increased risk of violence.
This trend is especially strong in boys.

Early Risk Factors and Prevention

Sex is a critical factor, with boys having a substantially higher risk of chronic physical aggression over time.
Maternal factors, such as age at first pregnancy, parenting styles, smoking, depression, education levels and antisocial behavior are significant risk factors.
Environmental factors during fetal and early childhood development are linked to aggression using epigenetic mechanisms.
Maternal factors are more consequential than paternal factors
Prevention of chronic physical aggression should address both contextual environmental factors, and epigenetic mechanisms that can be affected by early caregiving.

Conclusions

The vast majority of humans have used physical aggression, but they also learn alternatives over time.
Addressing chronic aggression requires both situational and early preventive strategies.
Understanding epigenetic mechanisms is crucial for designing impactful prevention and intervention programs.

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Description

This quiz explores the chapter on the development of physical aggression from childhood to adulthood. It covers key questions on aggression's onset, chronic causes, prevention strategies, and the importance of situational prevention, drawing from various theories and historical perspectives. Understanding aggression through longitudinal studies is emphasized for a comprehensive view of antisocial behavior origins.