Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
In the context of the question, "increases" refers to a change or growth in the amount or intensity of something, specifically referring to aggressive behavior.
Positive reinforcement refers to providing rewards or incentives to increase a particular behavior. In this case, if someone is rewarded for their aggressive behavior after viewing aggressive actions, it may further increase their likelihood of behaving aggressively.
Observational learning refers to acquiring new behaviors or skills by watching others. When individuals view aggressive actions and see them being reinforced or rewarded, they are more likely to imitate and increase their own aggressive behavior.
Desensitization: Desensitization is a process where repeated exposure to certain stimuli reduces emotional responsiveness towards those stimuli. If individuals are consistently exposed to violent media or aggressive actions without negative consequences, they may become desensitized and show an increased tolerance for aggression.