biological explanation of aggression as an alternative to Freud’s psychodynamic explanation Flashcards
(28 cards)
1
Q
according to Freud what motivates all human behaviour including aggression?
A
- two innate (inborn) drives
- these drives motivate all behaviour
- includes aggressive behaviour
2
Q
what is eros in Freud’s theory?
A
- life instinct
- focused on preserving and enjoying life
- energy from eros is called the libido
3
Q
what is thanatos in Freud’s theory?
A
- death instinct
- drive towards death and destruction
- first directed at the self
- aim is to reduce arousal and ‘life’
4
Q
how do eros and thanatos interact in Freud’s theory of aggression?
A
- behaviour comes from a balance between eros and thanatos
- eros (life instinct) controls thanatos (death instinct)
- thanatos energy is redirected away from self
- this redirection can cause aggression towards others
5
Q
what is catharsis in Freud’s theory of aggression?
A
- way to release aggressive urges safely
- prevents violent behaviour
- can happen by watching violence
- or through minor aggression like video games or sports
6
Q
what are the three parts to personality according to Freud?
A
- id
- ego
- superego
7
Q
what is the id in Freud’s theory?
A
- part of personality we are born with
- most primitive and demanding part
- driven by eros and thanatos
- works on the pleasure principle
- wants immediate gratification with no thought for consequences
8
Q
what is the ego in Freud’s theory?
A
- develops around age two
- rational part of the personality
- works on the reality principle
- controls and delays id’s urges
- learns norms and rules of society
- balances demands of id and superego
9
Q
what is the superego in Freud’s theory?
A
- develops around age four
- made up of the conscience and ego ideal
- conscience tells right from wrong
- ego ideal is the ideal self
- child feels pride for right behaviour, guilt for wrong
- operates on the morality principle
- controls aggressive impulses
10
Q
what three parts is our mind made up of according to Freud?
A
- conscious
- preconscious
- unconscious
11
Q
what is the conscious mind in Freud’s theory?
A
- holds thoughts, ideas, emotions we are aware of
- includes perceptual awareness
- awareness of things around you
12
Q
what is the preconscious mind in Freud’s theory?
A
- holds thoughts and ideas not currently in conscious awareness
- memories that can be accessed
- not repressed, just not in conscious mind at the moment
13
Q
what is the unconscious mind in Freud’s theory?
A
- main part of the mind, where all thoughts originate
- some thoughts become conscious, others enter the preconscious
- thoughts are repressed unconsciously, not by choice
- active, uses up mental energy
- holds unknown thoughts, emotions, and desires
- guides thinking and emotions without our awareness
14
Q
how does Freud link aggression to the death instinct (thanatos)?
A
- aggression is the outlet for the death instinct (thanatos)
- without aggression, the death instinct would negatively affect behaviour and thinking
- the death instinct is in everyone and expresses itself as aggression
15
Q
how did Freud explain the cause of aggression? (id)
A
- aggression comes from anger
- anger comes from frustration
- frustration occurs when the id’s desires are blocked
- frustration happens when unable to gain pleasure or avoid pain
- Freud believed this frustration led to aggression
16
Q
how does the superego relate to aggression in Freud’s theory?
A
- superego is the conscience formed from parents’ demands
- the child feels aggression towards parents for blocking pleasure (id’s desires)
- child loves parents, so aggression is not directed at them
- aggression is internalised in the superego
- child may develop strong conscience and guilt
- catharsis transforms aggression into acceptable behaviours, like competitive sport
17
Q
catharsis
A
process of releasing negative energy in the mind
18
Q
what is Freud’s idea of catharsis?
A
- unconscious thoughts brought into the conscious mind
- emotions, including aggression, are released
- psychoanalysis aims to bring these thoughts to light
- catharsis is the emotional release that follows
19
Q
how does catharsis release aggression?
A
- watching aggression (e.g. on TV) can release feelings of aggression
- psychodynamic theory suggests aggression is released by observing others being aggressive
- provides an emotional outlet for suppressed aggressive feelings
20
Q
how can sport or other activities be cathartic?
A
- aggressive sports or activities allow for permitted release of aggression
- provides a safe way to express and release built-up aggressive feelings
- seen as a cathartic outlet for frustration and tension
21
Q
catharsis supporting evidence + CA
A
- verona and sullivan (2008)
- people who reacted aggressively to frustration had a reduced heart rate
- this provided evidence for catharsis
- suggests that releasing aggression can have a calming effect on the body
- CA: hokanson (1947)
- reduction in tension after aggression led to more aggression later
- goes against the idea of catharsis
- suggests aggressive behaviour might increase rather than release aggression
22
Q
supporting study: Gorka
A
- alcohol affects communication between pre-frontal cortex and amygdala
- pre-frontal cortex helps control aggression, amygdala generates it
- study supports Freud’s idea of how aggression works in the psyche
23
Q
how have other psychologists interpreted the oedipus complex and unconscious thanatos? (other things s)
A
- biological problems (e.g. charles whitman’s brain tumour) may explain violent behavior
- little hans’ phobia of horses could be explained by classical conditioning
- similar to how watson & rayner created little albert’s fear of white rats
24
Q
what is the oedipus complex and how does it affect aggression?
A
- oedipus complex: children feel attracted to opposite-sex parent and aggression towards same-sex parent
- as we grow, we repress these feelings but they shape future relationships
- all later aggression is displaced from feelings towards mothers and fathers
- psychoanalysis is needed to uncover these feelings and bring peace of mind
25
what criticism has freud's concept of catharsis faced? (other things w)
- some venting of **aggression** leads to calm, but many **counter-examples** exist
- couples who argue loudly should be less violent if **catharsis** works
- in reality, couples who argue are more likely to be **physically abusive** too
26
how do freud's theory and biological psychology both focus on child development?
- **Freud**: children develop **id** first, then **ego**, and **super-ego** at age 5
- **biological psychology**: babies use **right brain**, then **left brain** develops language and logic by age 5
- after age 5, **physical aggression** decreases and **social aggression** increases, as seen by **Brendgen**
27
how do freud's theory and evolutionary psychology view aggression?
- both see **aggression** as a necessary behaviour for **survival**
- from an **evolutionary** perspective, aggression is linked to **fitness**
- **Freud** sees aggression as part of the **thanatos instinct** that controls the **id**
- the problem arises when aggression isn't properly **controlled or directed**, becoming a danger to the aggressor and others
28
how can psychoanalysis help treat aggression? (application)
- psychoanalysis explores **unconscious causes** of aggression
- the psychoanalyst helps the client explore **dreams and childhood memories**
- client learns about **defence mechanisms** and unresolved **unconscious conflicts**
- goal is to gain **self-knowledge** and better understand aggression
