Final answer:
Gender differences in aggression may be primarily influenced by how boys and girls are socialized, leading to distinct patterns of aggression, including physical aggression in males and relational aggression in females.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct option : b
Cultural factors influence our perceptions of gender-specific behavior, often reinforcing what is considered appropriate for boys and girls. For example, the acceptance of the phrase 'boys will be boys' implies that aggressive behavior in males is both expected and unchangeable, which could contribute to more overtly aggressive behavior in men as consistent with societal scripts for masculinity. On the other hand, girls are often socialized to be more nurturing and less confrontational, which can result in them expressing aggression in more indirect ways, such as relational aggression.
Research in various cultures, such as Carol Ember's study in Kenya, supports the idea that when boys perform tasks traditionally associated with females, they tend to exhibit lower levels of aggression. Additionally, discussions around bullying have identified that boys and girls typically exhibit different forms of aggressive behavior, with boys being more physically aggressive and girls more likely to engage in social aggression. All these examples emphasize the role of socialization in the development and expression of aggressive behavior across genders.