Formerly practicing in New Jersey, child psychologist Dr. Beth Grosshans is author of the parenting guide, “Beyond Time Out: From Chaos to Calm.” Before her retirement, Dr. Beth Grosshans sometimes consulted with families of children and teenagers who were argumentative, defiant, and angry.
Such behaviors can be a sign of oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). Estimates of this disorder’s prevalence among children vary considerably (1%-16%), but boys are more likely to have it than girls. For both boys and girls, having attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), conduct disorder, or other mood disorders increases their chances of also having ODD. Although children are sometimes naturally strong-willed and emotional, parents should be concerned if the following actions last longer than six months: easily triggered temper, touchiness, quickness to feel resentments, and frequent arguments with parents and other persons in authority. Other indicators range from refusal to obey requests and blaming others to vindictive and deliberately annoying behavior. Two theories have been developed to explain ODD. Developmental theory posits that as toddlers, children had difficulty transitioning to a life independent of people with whom they formed attachments. Alternatively, learning theory maintains children learn to behave oppositionally in order to get attention. This is a habitual response to their parents’ negative reinforcement of these actions.
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AuthorExperienced Psychologist Beth Grosshans Lectures on Child Development Archives
January 2020
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