Final answer:
Children may become more aggressive primarily through observational learning, which involves mimicking violent behaviors seen on television. Reinforcement may occur due to desensitization to violence and a shaping of aggressive behavioral scripts, influencing real-life actions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Impact of Television Violence on Child Aggression
Television and media violence can influence children's behavior, potentially leading to increased aggression. The primary process at play here is observational learning, where children emulate the violent behaviors they witness on screen. This is consistent with the work of Albert Bandura and supported by extensive research linking media violence exposure to aggressive thoughts and behaviors. It is not merely watching violence that could contribute to aggressive behavior but also the repeated exposure which could desensitize individuals to violence, making them view it as more acceptable or less negative.Factors Contributing to Aggression from Media Exposure
While some research, such as by Anderson and colleagues, suggests a direct correlation between violent media and aggression, others, like Ferguson, note that additional variables like mental health and family environment also play a significant role. It's also crucial to recognize that exposure to violence can bolster aggression scripts and make violent solutions more cognitively accessible, particularly among those who engage heavily in violent video games or media consumption.
In summarizing, the problem with television violence is that children may become more aggressive mainly through observational learning, corresponding to option c. Children learn and replicate the aggressive behaviors they see on television, which may be reinforced by desensitization and the accessibility of aggressive solutions in their cognitive processes.