Explain the difference between instrumental aggression and relational aggression.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The most common form of aggression seen in infancy and early childhood is instrumental aggression, aggression used to achieve a goal, such as obtaining a toy. Instrumental aggression is often displayed as physical aggression. For example, a child who grabs a crayon out of another child's hand is often motivated to obtain the crayon, not to hurt the other child. In addition to toys, preschool children often battle over space ("I was sitting there!"). Verbal aggression is a form of relational aggression, intended to harm others' social relationships. In preschool and elementary school, relational aggression often takes the form of name calling and excluding peers from play.