Caleb's parents are in the process of divorce.Every so often he gets into arguments with his mom in which he 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 behaviors.Caleb's and his mother's battle continues to escalate.Which of the following best describes the scenario?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The scenario described fits the pattern of a coercive cycle, in which negative behaviors from both parties serve to escalate the conflict. Caleb's added stress and increased defiance are contributing to this cycle, as are his mother's likely negative reactions to these behaviors.

Caleb's Parents Are in the Process of Divorce