Answer to Question 1
Answer: Dissonance theorists would argue that because people often engage in overkill when they are angered, a vicious spiral of aggression, self-justification, and more destructive aggression is likely to result. For example, when we verbally vent our anger or use sarcasm as a weapon against someone, it can be hurtful to them, and is at odds with our self-concepts as kind and reasonable people. Because we cannot undo this behavior, we will seek to preserve our self-esteem internally by convincing ourselves that the target of our anger must have deserved it. Once we use derogation to justify our verbal aggression, it becomes easier and easier to justify more destructive aggressive acts against them.
Answer to Question 2
Answer: First, because severe physical punishment can boomerang by teaching children that aggression is appropriate, it is best not to use severe physical punishment such as slapping or spanking. Threats of severe punishment would not be likely to work; such severe threats might provide your brother with external justification for refraining from hitting, throwing, and he will be unlikely to convince himself that such behavior is undesirable. To use punishment appropriately, it is important to remain vigilant around your little brother, and to make swift and reasonable interventions such as time-outs. It would also help to model nonaggressive alternatives for dealing with frustration and conflict.
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