Final answer:
Physical punishment tends to increase aggression in children due to observational learning, where children imitate the aggressive behavior of adults, as demonstrated by Albert Bandura's research. Cultural and educational background also play a role in attitudes toward physical punishment. Current psychology favors positive reinforcement to shape children's behavior.
Step-by-step explanation:
The learning theory that is best able to explain why physical punishment tends to increase aggressive behavior in children is observational learning, specifically the work of Albert Bandura on modeling behavior. By observing adults using physical punishment when angry or frustrated, children learn to imitate these aggressive behaviors. Additionally, research has shown that instead of correcting behavior, physical punishment may instill fear, promote aggression, and lead to antisocial behavior.
Bandura's Bobo doll experiment clearly demonstrated that children are likely to mimic the behavior of a model who is not punished for aggressive actions. This concept also extends to the understanding that cultural and educational factors influence attitudes toward physical punishment, and that repeated exposure to violent behavior, even through play or video games, can increase the chances of acting out aggressive behavior.
Regarding behavior modification, most current psychologists favor positive reinforcement methods, suggesting rewards for good behavior rather than punishment for undesirable behavior. Within this framework, it is suggested that providing a positive model in a child’s life is crucial for teaching prosocial behaviors in lieu of aggression.