Question

A psychologist wishes to investigate the effect of televised violence on aggressive behavior. Which of the following would be a practical operational definition of aggressive behavior?

a) Self-reported feelings of anger
b) Heart rate variability
c) Number of aggressive words spoken
d) IQ scores

Answer 1

A practical operational definition of aggressive behavior in the context of studying the effect of televised violence would be the number of aggressive words spoken.

Step-by-step explanation:

A practical operational definition of aggressive behavior in the context of studying the effect of televised violence would be the number of aggressive words spoken. This measure directly assesses the verbal expression of aggression, which can be influenced by exposure to violent media. Self-reported feelings of anger may also be relevant, but they can be subjective and influenced by various factors. Heart rate variability and IQ scores are not directly related to aggressive behavior.