Final answer:
Johnny hitting his dog after being spanked is an example of displaced aggression, a behavior where anger is taken out on a safer target. This reflects a potentially harmful cycle where corporal punishment leads to increased aggression and imitation of the behavior in children.
Step-by-step explanation:
Johnny's behavior of hitting his dog Spot after receiving a spanking is a classic example of displaced aggression. Displaced aggression occurs when an individual directs their angry and aggressive feelings toward someone or something that is less threatening than the source of those feelings. In Johnny's case, the source of his anger and frustration is the spanking he received, but he may feel unable to express this towards the person who spanked him. Instead, he displays aggressive behavior towards his dog, Spot, who is a more vulnerable target. This response is concerning because it may indicate a cycle of learned aggression; repeated exposure to physical punishment like spanking may teach a child that aggression is an appropriate response to their own feelings of anger or frustration.
Studies have indicated that children who are spanked or subject to other forms of corporal punishment might mimic these behaviors in other contexts, thereby increasing the likelihood of engaging in aggressive acts themselves. For instance, a child like Brenda might begin hitting friends when upset, imitating the physical punishment received from a parent. This pattern of learned aggression can extend into antisocial behavior and even delinquency.
It is essential to consider alternative disciplinary approaches that do not involve physical force, as the research suggests spanking and similar forms of punishment are not effective and may lead to adverse outcomes such as increased aggression in the victimized child.