Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Hostile behavior refers to aggressive actions or attitudes that are intended to harm or cause distress to others. It involves displaying anger, hostility, and a lack of empathy towards peers.
Related terms
Conflict resolution: Conflict resolution refers to strategies and techniques used to peacefully resolve disagreements or conflicts between individuals.
Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. Developing empathy can help children recognize how their hostile behavior affects their peers.
Anger management: Anger management involves learning skills and techniques to control and express anger in healthy ways. Teaching a child effective anger management strategies can help mitigate their hostile behavior.