aggression Flashcards
(24 cards)
What is aggression?
Aggression is behaviour intended to harm another person who is motivated to avoid that harm. Definitions vary but consistently emphasise ‘intent to harm’.
How did Bandura et al. (1963) study aggression using the Bobo doll?
Children observed an adult model behaving aggressively or non-aggressively toward a Bobo doll. Those who saw the aggressive model were more likely to imitate this behaviour, demonstrating observational learning of aggression.
How did Lieberman et al. (1999) measure aggression in a lab setting?
Participants chose how spicy a sauce to give to someone who disliked spice. Higher spice levels indicated greater aggression, measuring indirect aggressive intent.
What was the shock game used by Chermack, Berman, & Taylor (1997)?
Participants played a reaction-time game where the loser received an electric shock. Aggression was measured by the intensity of shocks chosen. Higher provocation (increasing shocks) led to higher aggression.
What did Anderson & Bushman (2001) find about video games and aggression?
They found a small but significant link between playing violent video games and increased aggression, suggesting media can model aggressive behaviour.
What did Ferguson (2015) conclude about video games and aggression?
Ferguson found no consistent evidence linking violent video games to real-world aggression, arguing that measurement inconsistencies and falling crime rates contradict the idea of a strong link.
What was the main finding of the Barker et al. (1941) frustration-aggression study?
Children denied access to toys initially behaved more aggressively (throwing and smashing toys) than those allowed immediate access, supporting the frustration-aggression hypothesis.
What does the Excitation Transfer Model (Zillmann) suggest?
Aggression can result when arousal from one source (e.g., exercise) is misattributed to a provocative event, increasing aggressive responses if aggression is learned and the situation seems appropriate.
What did Klinesmith et al. (2006) find about weapons and aggression?
Men who handled a gun (vs. a child’s toy) showed more aggression, measured by allocating more hot sauce to someone, demonstrating the ‘weapons effect’.
How does narcissism relate to aggression, according to Bushman & Baumeister (1998)?
Narcissistic participants who received harsh criticism delivered louder noise blasts to their critic, showing they direct aggression at those who threaten their self-image.
What did Mares & Moffett (2016) find about heat and aggression?
A global temperature rise of 1°C could increase homicide rates by up to 6%, particularly in conflict zones, based on analysis of data from 60 countries.
What is the General Aggression Model (GAM)?
A comprehensive framework explaining aggression through interactions among personal, situational, cognitive, and biological factors (Allen et al., 2018).
What are the core components of aggression across different definitions?
Despite variations, definitions of aggression all highlight the intentional attempt to harm another person who is motivated to avoid that harm.
What is Freud’s psychodynamic theory of aggression?
Freud proposed that aggression stems from an innate death instinct (Thanatos) initially directed at the self but redirected toward others over time. It builds up and must be released.
What is Lorenz’s ethological perspective on aggression?
Lorenz believed aggression has survival value and is inevitable due to a biological urge. It is released when triggered by specific environmental stimuli (releasers).
How does the evolutionary perspective explain aggression?
Aggression is seen as adaptive, helping individuals survive, gain resources, or reproduce. For example, aggression may help people compete for mates or status (Buss & Shackelford, 1997).
What are criticisms of innate theories of aggression?
They lack empirical support, may use circular reasoning, and have limited practical applications. Aggression is often punished, contradicting the idea of its ‘functional value’.
What is the frustration-aggression hypothesis by Dollard et al. (1939)?
This theory posits that frustration always leads to aggression and aggression always results from frustration. Frustration blocks goal attainment and leads to displaced aggression if the true target is unavailable.
How did Hovland and Sears (1940) support the frustration-aggression hypothesis?
They showed that economic frustration (e.g., during the Great Depression) correlated with increased lynchings of African Americans, suggesting displaced aggression.
What is Berkowitz’s revision to the frustration-aggression hypothesis?
Berkowitz argued that frustration only increases the likelihood of aggression, which also depends on other factors like negative emotions and situational cues.
What personality traits are linked to aggression?
Traits like Type A personality (competitive, hostile), psychoticism, low agreeableness, and high provocation sensitivity are associated with greater aggression.
How does heat influence aggression?
Exposure to heat or heat-related stimuli increases aggressive thoughts and perceptions (Wilkowski et al., 2009), and higher temperatures correlate with more violent crimes (Anderson, 2001).
How does alcohol influence aggression?
Alcohol impairs judgment and increases impulsivity, leading to more aggressive responses to provocation. Even typically low-aggression individuals may become aggressive when intoxicated (Miller & Parrott, 2010).
What was the Berkowitz & LePage (1967) study on weapons and aggression?
Participants gave stronger electric shocks when a weapon (gun) was present, particularly if they were angry, demonstrating that environmental cues can prime aggression.
