Final answer:
Typically, people respond to provocation with aggression at similar or higher levels, influenced by innate tendencies, cultural factors, and societal pressures. Hostile and instrumental are two forms of aggression, and studies suggest that video game violence might increase aggressive behavior. The correct option is a. people respond with similar or higher levels of aggression.
Step-by-step explanation:
When people are provoked to act aggressively, they typically respond with similar or higher levels of aggression. This tendency is rooted in an innate response to perceived threats, whether they are to oneself or to one's in-group. While humans are not inherently aggressive, there is a natural inclination to react aggressively under threat, with cultural factors playing a significant role in defining what is perceived as a threat.
Aggressive behavior can also stem from cultural pressures in societies where aggression and violence are celebrated. For instance, hostile aggression is motivated by anger and aims to cause pain, whereas instrumental aggression is goal-oriented and may not directly intend to inflict pain. Research, such as those on the effects of video game violence, indicates that exposure can lead to an increase in aggressive thoughts and behaviors, challenging the assumption that modern psychological threats necessitate aggressive response, which was once critical for survival in a world replete with physical dangers.