Compared with younger children, older children show which pattern in the proportions of instrumental and hostile aggression?

Compared with younger children, older children show which pattern in the proportions of instrumental and hostile aggression?

• A. Higher instrumental, lower hostile
• B. Lower instrumental, higher hostile
• C. No difference in proportions
• D. Higher instrumental and higher hostile

Answer: (B)

Two forms of aggression are in play: instrumental (proactive, goal-directed) and hostile (reactive, driven by anger or provocation). As children grow older, the balance shifts toward more hostile aggression and less instrumental aggression. This happens because older kids develop better self-regulation and social-cognitive skills, which reduces the need to use aggression as a direct tactic to obtain something. At the same time, they encounter more social conflicts and provocations that can trigger angry, retaliatory responses, increasing the share of hostile acts. So, compared with younger children, older children tend to show lower levels of instrumental aggression and higher levels of hostile aggression.

Two forms of aggression are in play: instrumental (proactive, goal-directed) and hostile (reactive, driven by anger or provocation). As children grow older, the balance shifts toward more hostile aggression and less instrumental aggression. This happens because older kids develop better self-regulation and social-cognitive skills, which reduces the need to use aggression as a direct tactic to obtain something. At the same time, they encounter more social conflicts and provocations that can trigger angry, retaliatory responses, increasing the share of hostile acts. So, compared with younger children, older children tend to show lower levels of instrumental aggression and higher levels of hostile aggression.