Child’s and Adolescent’s Aggressive Behavior: A Lifespan Perspective

Abstract

Child’s and adolescent’s aggressive behavior is one of the major problems nowadays. In clinical as well as educational settings, it is a frequent consultation issue that needs a detailed study of the causes, processes and consequences of said behavior in order to determine whether it is normal or pathological. The aim of this paper is to revise current approaches to aggressive behavior, especially during childhood and adolescence. Distinctions between aggressiveness, aggression, violence and antisocial behavior are made clear. Classifications of aggressive behavior and theories that analyze its causes are revised. Afterwards, this paper focuses on the development of aggressive behavior from childhood to adolescence considering the functions it fulfills in each period. Finally, its continuity-discontinuity until adulthood is described.