Final answer:
Children who understand others' intentions are generally less likely to engage in aggressive behaviors, as they are able to interpret social cues and the context behind actions accurately. Hostile and instrumental aggression are influenced by this understanding, potentially affecting response to perceived threats. Exposure to violent media can, however, influence children's interpretations and reactions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question explores how understanding others' intentions relates to aggression in children. Research indicates that children who have a better understanding of others' intentions are generally less likely to engage in aggressive behavior. This comprehension allows them to interpret social cues and understand the context behind others' actions, which may mitigate hostile responses and reduce the likelihood of misunderstanding situations as threatening, which can precipitate aggression. Conversely, when children lack this understanding, they might perceive others' actions as hostile or threatening, leading to a defensive and potentially aggressive response.
Furthermore, understanding the distinction between hostile aggression and instrumental aggression can also influence how children react to others' behaviors. With better social understanding, children might be more likely to recognize when someone's actions are goal-oriented (instrumental aggression) rather than personally directed at causing them harm (hostile aggression), and therefore respond less aggressively.
Finally, the presence of external influences like exposure to media violence, such as violent video games, has been linked to increases in aggressive thoughts and behaviors in children, according to psychologists Anderson and Bushman (2001). Such exposure could potentially influence how children interpret others' intentions and their subsequent reactions.