elieved that chronic anger was a way of defending against emotional insecurity.
Social Learning Theory (e.g., Tavris, 1989) advances the idea that aggression is a learned behavior and is "acquired" by observing aggressive models (other people) and/or from receiving, or even expecting, certain rewards (payoffs) after an act of aggression. Generally speaking, the rewards might be the cessation of aggression by others, earning a goal or merit by being aggressive, having the behavior reinforced by praise or even self-reinforcement, and the reduction of tension. Social
Learning theory incorporates cognitive processes, such as rational problem solving and self-evaluation.
Cognitive-environmental theorists (e.g., Berkowitz, 1993) point out that behavior results from learning and learning results from noticing what seems to get results. In short, an unpleasant experience/situation will automatically result in negative emotions, which include angry feelings, hostile feelings, or even fight/flight impulses. The key to this theory is the impu
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