Aggressive Behavior

Definition

Aggressive behavior refers to any action that is intended to cause harm, physical or psychological, to oneself or others. It can manifest as physical aggression (e.g., hitting, pushing) or verbal aggression (e.g., yelling, insulting).

Related terms

Reinforcement: In operant conditioning, reinforcement refers to the process of increasing the likelihood of a behavior occurring again by providing a desirable consequence immediately after the behavior.

Punishment: Punishment in operant conditioning involves reducing the likelihood of a behavior recurring by applying an unpleasant consequence following the behavior.

Extinction: Extinction occurs when a previously reinforced behavior no longer receives reinforcement, leading to its gradual decrease and eventual disappearance.