Final answer:
Childhood aggression, like the example from Newfoundland, arises from both biological tendencies and social learning. Boys and girls may express aggression differently, influenced by cultural roles and observational learning. Negative early experiences and violent media consumption are additional factors contributing to childhood aggression.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Newfoundland example of childhood aggression typically refers to observed aggressive behaviors among children, which can manifest as fighting, bullying, or abrasive and verbally hurtful interactions. The origins of such behaviors are multifaceted, encompassing both biological factors, such as the inherent evolutionary tendency among males to assert dominance—an aspect shared with nonhuman primates—and social conditioning that affects how children perceive and engage with others.
Research indicates that observation and mimicking, as well as the desire for approval, are core aspects of learning in childhood. Children often emulate the behavior of those around them, including parents and older role models. This observational learning can have antisocial effects, leading to a cycle where victims of aggression may emulate that behavior. The research also demonstrates that gender differences exist in bullying patterns, with boys more likely to exhibit direct physical aggression, while girls may engage in indirect or social aggression.
Cultural influences, such as the expectations from male and female behavior roles, also contribute to the observed distinctions between how boys and girls express aggression. For example, boys involved in tasks traditionally considered as feminine exhibited less aggression compared to those not performing such tasks. Furthermore, studies with rats have shown that negative early life experiences can alter brain function and result in more aggressive or depressive behaviors later in life, which can parallel human patterns. The potential influence of violent media, such as video games, on children's aggression has also been discussed, with research suggesting causal linkages.