Suppose a Mother Was Trying to Get Her Oldest Son

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The Answer is As a parent, it can be challenging to navigate sibling conflicts, especially when one child is being physically aggressive towards another. In this situation, it's important to consider the principles of dissonance theory in order to effectively address the behavior of the oldest son.

Dissonance theory suggests that individuals experience discomfort when their actions or beliefs are inconsistent with each other. In the case of the oldest son's behavior, it's likely that he may experience cognitive dissonance if he believes that he loves his younger brother but continues to physically harm him. This discomfort can lead to a change in attitude or behavior in order to reduce the dissonance.

To address this behavior, the mother can engage in a conversation with her oldest son to highlight the inconsistency between his love for his brother and his aggressive actions. By emphasizing the importance of treating others with kindness and respect, the mother can encourage her son to reflect on his behavior and recognize the dissonance between his actions and his beliefs. This approach aims to create internal motivation for the oldest son to change his behavior, as he seeks to reduce the discomfort of cognitive dissonance.

In contrast, a plan based solely on compliance through simple reward and punishment may not effectively address the underlying cognitive dissonance experienced by the oldest son. While rewards and punishments can modify behavior in the short term, they may not lead to a genuine change in attitude or internal motivation to treat his brother with kindness. Without addressing the cognitive dissonance, the oldest son may continue to struggle with conflicting beliefs and actions, leading to a potential recurrence of aggressive behavior in the future.

Research evidence supports the effectiveness of addressing cognitive dissonance in promoting attitude and behavior change. Studies have shown that individuals are more likely to change their attitudes and behaviors when they experience cognitive dissonance and are motivated to reduce this discomfort. By addressing the underlying inconsistency between the oldest son's beliefs and actions, the mother can promote a more meaningful and lasting change in her son's behavior towards his younger brother.

In conclusion, when addressing the oldest son's aggressive behavior towards his younger brother, it's important for the mother to consider the principles of dissonance theory. By addressing the cognitive dissonance experienced by her son, the mother can promote a more genuine and lasting change in his behavior, compared to a plan based solely on compliance through reward and punishment.

Suppose a Mother Was Trying to Get Her Oldest Son

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