AGRESSION

Question 1

Cognitive priming

Answer 1

A term refers to the process of developing scripts after exposure to media. Then are then activated in the presence of similar stimuli in real life.

Question 2

Deindividuation

Answer 2

A term used in the context of aggression and obedience. It refers to a state in which individuals have lower self awareness and a weaker sense of personal responsibility for their actions. This may result from being in a crowd

Question 3

MAOA enzyme

Answer 3

An enzyme responsible for “mopping up” neurotransmitters in the brain after a nerve impulse has been transmitted from one neuron to another. It does this by breaking down nuerotransmitters particularly serotonin, into smaller parts that can be recycled or excreted, a process known as catabolism

Question 4

Disinhibition

Answer 4

It’s a theory which explains how the media can influence aggression. It proposes that our normal restraints are loosen after exposure to media violence (e.g. films, TV and video games). Aggressive behaviour then becomes normalised and these norms governs a persons behaviour. For example revenge

Question 5

Desensitisation

Answer 5

Refers to the way that in which people become less anxious and shocked by media violence, as a result of repeated exposure.

Question 6

Dispositional explanation

Answer 6

An explanation for institutional aggression that suggests certain individuals are predisposed to being aggressive because of certain traits that individual has

Question 7

Fixed actions patters

Answer 7

The second part of exhibiting aggression. The behaviour that is released after the innate releasing mechanism has been activated

Question 8

Frustration aggression hypothesis

Answer 8

The they the every experience of frustration leads to a build of aggression (which is unavoidable). This eventually leads to the need to replapse of aggression which exults in aggressive behaviours

Question 9

Innate releasing mechanisms

Answer 9

• Innate releasing mechanisms are hard wired brain networks that respond to specific stimuli (signs or releasers) by initiating a fixed action patters, a set sequence of behaviours
• A network of neurons in the brain which responds to threats in the environment in the form of aggression
• An environmental stimulus (such as facial expression, bearing teeth) triggers the IRM which then ‘releases’ a specific sequence of behaviours.
• This behavioural sequence is called a fixed action pattern (FAP)

Question 10

Institutional aggression

Answer 10

Aggression that is exhibited by a group in an institute, for example prisoners. This ca be explained through two primary models; the importation model and the deprivation model

Question 11

Limbic system

Answer 11

A group of structures in the brain that area involved with emotion and LTM

Question 12

Serotonin

Answer 12

An inhibitory neurotransmitters (reduced the action potential in the postsynaptic membrane) and it associated with the regulation of impulsive behaviour when present at normal concentration in the orbital cortex. Due to this link between serotonin and the regulation of emotional impulsive behaviour, it has also been proposed that serotonin is involved in controlling sleeping patterns, due to being found lower levels in non- violent offenders

Question 13

Situational explanation

Answer 13

An explanation for institutional aggression that suggests it arises because of the environment and atmosphere in the institution

Question 14

Testosterone

Answer 14

Male sex hormone, responsible for the development of masculine features. There may be link between decreased testosterone levels and decreased levels of aggressive behaviour, a positive correlation and demonstrated by castration studies.

Question 15

Ethology

Answer 15

Study of animal behaviour in natural settings

Question 16

Ritualistic aggression

Answer 16

Series of behaviours carried out in a set order

Question 17

Amygdala

Answer 17

Particulary important in regulating emotional behaviour

Question 18

Orbtiofrontal cortex

Answer 18

Found to be responsible for self control and impulse regulation. Plays a crucial role in inhibiting aggression by working alongside the amygdala

Question 19

MAOA gene

Answer 19

One variant of the MAOA gene, often referred to as the “warrior gene,” results in low MAOA activity in certain brain areas and has been associated with various forms of aggressive behavior.

Question 20

Gene - environment interactions

Answer 20

suggest that low MAOA gene activity is linked to aggression only when combined with early trauma.

Question 21

Cuckoldry

Answer 21

If a man senses sexual infidelity it triggers an alarm that evoked jealousy. This could lead to cuckoldry i.e a male raising a son which is not his own. This is an evolutionary disadvantage, due to a male wasting his resources which he could have otherwise used on raising his own.

Question 22

Male retention strategies

Answer 22

1. Direct guarding (insisting on who and where you are going to and with)
2. Negative inducements (making physical threats to women like suicide)

Question 23

Male Bullying

Answer 23

This is another explanation whereby bulling may not be a product of poor social skills or dysfunctional upbringing as previously thought, but may be an evolutionary advantage. For example, men who bullied other men through reinforcing power imbalances were more likely to have their pick of resources and to mate with more females

Question 24

Female bullying

Answer 24

More often takes place within rather outside the relationship and is a means of controlling the partner such as threats or monitoring. Therefore the aggressive act of bulling may be considered as adaptive.

Question 25

Uxoricide

Answer 25

Killing of young women.

Question 26

Private self awareness

Answer 26

Refers to how much attention we give to our own thoughts, feelings and behaviour, which decreases when we are part of a crowd

Question 27

Public self awareness

Answer 27

Is how concerned we are about how other perceive our behaviour, and this also diminishes in anonymous setting like crowds. The lack of concern for social judgement and the anonymity of being in a large crows makes us less accountable for our actions.

Question 28

Social learning theory

Answer 28

Suggests that aggressive behaviour is learned through observation and imitation. This can occur directly, where individuals experience consequences for their own aggression, or indirectly through vicarious reinforcement, where they see others being rewarded for aggressive behaviour. Role models, often older or of higher status, play a key role in this process, especially when they are admired or share similar traits with the observer.

Question 30

Importation model

Answer 30

suggests that prisoners bring aggressive behaviors into the institution, influenced by their previous social histories and dispositions. These individuals are not “blank slates” but “import” behaviors from the outside world, including attitudes, beliefs, and values from their gang affiliations or criminal backgrounds. This is a dispositional explanation, where aggression stems from within the individual.

Question 31

Deprivation model

Answer 31

argues that aggression arises from the stressful and deprived conditions of prison life, such as loss of freedom, social isolation, and harsh environments. Sykes identified several types of deprivation experienced by prisoners, which can contribute to aggression. These include: the deprivation of security, where prisoners fear for their safety; the deprivation of heterosexual relationships, leading to low self-worth and aggression; the deprivation of material goods, causing competition among inmates; and the deprivation of freedom, where the restrictive prison regime heightens frustration and aggression. Each form of deprivation intensifies prisoners’ stress, leading to aggressive behavior as they cope with these unmet needs.