Kendrick is angry after being insulted by a classmate.Which of the following behaviors is LEAST likely to reduce the chances that Kendrick will later behave aggressively toward his classmate?
A) hitting a punching bag while keeping the image of the insulting classmate in mind
B) hitting a punching bag while keeping the image of a different (noninsulting) classmate in mind
C) viewing his feelings of anger from a distance
D) imagining that the situation is part of a movie or novel

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Hitting a punching bag while keeping the image of the insulting classmate in mind may actually increase Kendrick's anger and aggressive behavior, as it keeps him focused on the negative experience and reinforces his emotional response. The other options - hitting a punching bag while focusing on a noninsulting classmate, viewing his feelings from a distance, or imagining the situation as fiction - all involve strategies of emotional regulation and distancing that can help reduce the intensity of Kendrick's anger and his likelihood of behaving aggressively toward his classmate.

Kendrick Is Angry After Being Insulted by a Classmate