Physical aggression is often replaced with verbal aggression by age three. However, as children go through development they are expected to acquire the self and social awareness to govern the way they elicit anger. 

Development and Expressing Agression

Severity of anger can be predicted as early as 14 months indicated by low levels of effortful control on simulated tasks. This trait normally remains stable throughout development- without intervention. 

Development and the severity of Anger 

While anger is expressed differently and for diffferent reasons, this emotion begins to apppear during the toddler years. 

Arizona State University

During assessment, the clinician must consider the developmental stage of the child to distinguish normative oppositional behavior from pathological.

Development is a Crucial Consideration When Assessing for ODD

Matthys, & Lochman, J. E. (2017). Oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder in childhood (2nd ed.). Wiley Blackwell. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118972519

Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Conduct Disorder in Childhood

The boundary between normative and abnormal behavior is quite blurry during childhood. This is because children are still learning acceptable social behavior and acting out is part of the normative process. Factors such as duration/intensity, frequency, and form must be considered during psychoanalysis to ensure proper accuracy and differential diagnosis. 

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