Alternate Names : Acting-Out Behaviors

Definition

Disruptive or undesirable behavior 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 own needs or desires.

Information

Temper tantrums or "acting-out" behaviors are natural during early childhood development. Tantrums usually begin between the ages of 12 to 18 months, peak between 2 and 3 years then decrease rapidly until age 4 after which they should be seldom seen. Initial tantrums are attempts to display dissatisfaction or frustration. Repeated tantrums usually are learned behaviors. Prolonged tantrums lasting a quarter to half hour or more may have a medical or psychological basis and should be brought to the attention of a physician.

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.