Agression as a problem and risk factors for aggressive tendencies. Essay

Aggression is a natural part of human behavior, and can even be adaptive in certain situations. However, when aggression manifests itself in violent behaviors, it becomes problematic. Patterns of aggression change throughout childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood, and these changes usually differ between males and females (Loeber, 1997). Physical aggression is typically greatest early in life and decreases during adolescence, whereas more serious violence tends to increase with age, particularly during adolescence (Loeber, 1997). Despite the changes that occur in aggressive tendencies throughout childhood and adolescence, aggression is seen as a very stable trait, almost as stable as intelligence (Loeber, 1997). That is, there is a high correlation between early aggression in childhood or adolescence and later aggression, indicating that early aggression can be predictive of later violence (Loeber, 1997).
Throughout the early school years, males tend to show higher rates of physical aggression than females, and females tend to display more relational aggression than males (Loeber, 1997). Most children reach a point in their lives where they begin to experience a decrease in aggression and an increase in interpersonal skills however, for those individuals (typically males) who are unable to control their aggression, violent behavior emerges and becomes their norm (Loeber, 1997).
Exposure to violence within the family can serve as a risk factor for aggressive tendencies in children. The intergenerational transmission of violence model suggests that exposure to violence in the family may lead to the development of violent or aggressive urges during adulthood (Avakame, 1998). Despite the prevalence of the intergenerational transmission of violence model in the psychological and criminological literature, the exact ways in which exposure to violence actually translates into violent behavior or psychological aggression are not exactly clear (Avakame, 1998). One probable explanation is the social learning theory, which dates back to Bandura's experiments in the 1970s. According to Bandura's social learning theory, simply observing violence can lead to new patterns of behavior, weaken previously learned inhibitions against violence, or even prompt similar behavior in the observer (Avakame, 1998). Thus, aggressive tendencies and violent behavior can develop simply by passively observing someone else engage in violent acts.
The environment in which youths socialize can also affect the development of aggressive tendencies. Individuals who have antisocial associates are more likely to develop antisocial attitudes, and as a result, are more likely to engage in violent behaviors than those individuals who do not have antisocial associates (Loeber, 1997). Furthermore, youths who become involved with gangs are more heavily involved in violent behaviors and violent crimes than those who are not a part of a gang (Loeber, 1997).
Although spending time with antisocial associates can serve as a risk factor for aggressive behavior, socialization with non-antisocial associates can serve as a protective factor, as it allows an avenue in which individuals can alleviate aggressive behavior in a nonviolent manner. However, isolation can act as a risk factor, as those people who are isolated tend to be more aggressive, and they exhibit those aggressive tendencies in violent behaviors.