Caleb's parents are in the process of divorce. Every so often he will get into arguments with his mom where he in turn responds more harshly than he normally would because of the added stress. As an individual in middle childhood, Caleb does not understand what his mother is going through, but responds with greater resistance and more defiant behaviours. From both Caleb's and his mother's perspective, their battle continues to escalate. Which of the following best describes the scenario?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Caleb and his mother are caught in a coercive cycle, where each one's behavior is reinforcing the other's negative behavior. Caleb is responding more harshly due to added stress, and this is making his mother respond more negatively as well, leading to an escalation of their conflicts. This cycle can be difficult to break without intervention.

Caleb's Parents Are in the Process of Divorce