Brendgen suggested that social conventions influence which type of aggression as children grow?

• A. Physical aggression
• B. Verbal aggression
• C. Social aggression
• D. Emotional aggression

Answer: (C)

Brendgen's research emphasizes the role of social conventions in shaping children's aggressive behaviors, particularly regarding social aggression. Social aggression encompasses behaviors designed to harm someone’s social relationships or status. This type of aggression often involves covert actions such as gossiping, exclusion, or rumors, which are heavily influenced by the context of social norms and the dynamics of peer relationships.

As children interact with their peers, they learn and navigate social conventions, which inform their understanding of acceptable behaviors in social contexts. For example, children may observe others using social aggression to manipulate social standings, which can prompt them to adopt similar strategies. Thus, their engagement in social aggression can be seen as a learned behavior consistent with the social dynamics they perceive, highlighting the impact social conventions have on shaping such aggression.

In contrast, physical aggression typically manifests as direct harm through bodily actions and is less influenced by social contexts, while verbal aggression usually involves direct verbal attacks rather than the subtlety of social manipulations. Emotional aggression also doesn't align as closely with the influence of social conventions, as it often relates to the expression of feelings rather than social maneuvering.