Question

In a study in which researchers presented a series of hypothetical situations to boys, those with a history of reactive aggression:

A) Were more likely to respond aggressively
B) Were less likely to respond aggressively
C) Were equally likely to respond aggressively as non-aggressive boys
D) Displayed prosocial behavior

Answer 1

Boys with a history of reactive aggression are more likely to respond aggressively in hypothetical situations, corroborating other studies that link exposure to violence and aggressive behavior.

Step-by-step explanation:

In a study in which researchers presented a series of hypothetical situations to boys, those with a history of reactive aggression were more likely to respond aggressively. This finding aligns with other research in the field of psychology, suggesting that past behavior is often predictive of future behavior in similar situations. Bandura's Bobo doll study reinforces the concept that children learn and imitate behaviors, including aggressive ones. Similarly, studies on the effects of violent video games on children, such as those cited from Anderson and Bushman, show that an immediate increase in hostile thoughts and aggressive emotions is observed after playing violent video games, indicating a positive correlation between exposure to media violence and subsequent aggression.