Temper tantrums
Alternative names:
acting-out behaviors
Information:
Definition:
Behaviors in response to unmet needs or desires. Emotional outbursts when denied satisfaction. Loss of temper. Inability to control emotions due to decreased tolerance to frustration. Behaviors used to attempt to force others to satisfy their needs or desires.
Temper tantrums or "acting-out" behaviors are natural learning occurrences during childhood development. Initial tantrums are attempts to display dissatisfaction. Repeated tantrums are learned behaviors.
Children quickly learn the effectiveness of tantrums. Tantrums should be treated as an undesirable behavior. "Time outs" are very effective interventions. When parents "give in to" or meet the child's demands, the child learns that such behavior is effective and successful; parents can expect this response to be repeated. When parents treat tantrums as undesirable behaviors, the child learns that the behavior is ineffective and results in negative consequences.
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