Chapter 11 Flashcards
(40 cards)
What is aggression?
Aggression is intentional behavior (physical or verbal) aimed at causing either physical or psychological pain.
What are the two types of aggression?
- Affective aggression
- Instrumental aggression
What is affective/emotional/hostile aggression?
An act of aggression stemming from feelings of anger and aimed at inflicting pain or injury.
What is instrumental aggression?
Aggression as a means to achieve a goal other than causing pain.
EX: Sports fans brawling after a game — the goal is to show team support, not cause harm.
What are some biological theories that suggest aggression is innate?
- Freud’s death wish
- Freud believed we have a death wish or drive- To cope with this, we channel energy inwards or outwards (aggression toward others)
- Lorenz’s instinct theory
- Our innate drive to live leads to our desire to aggress against others- Adaptive: Those who are aggressive are more likely to survive (so are their offspring)
What does evolutionary psychology suggest about aggression?
Argued that aggression is genetically programmed into men to:
- Establish dominance (attracting mates).
- Protect paternity through jealousy-motivated aggression.
-Studies show aggression can be both instinctual and learned.
Ex: Chimps (more aggressive) vs. Bonobos (less aggressive due to easier access to resources).
How do hormones influence aggression?
- In virtually all societies, males are more aggressive than females
- May be because of the presence of the male sex hormone testosterone
- Although testosterone may be a factor in some cases of aggression, the effects tend to be quite small.
- Bi-directional = high levels of testosterone - aggression, show aggression - higher testosterone
How does gender influence aggression?
Males are more likely to engage in physical aggression.
Females show higher rates of social aggression (e.g., gossiping, exclusion).
No gender differences in aggression when provoked.
How does alcohol influence aggression?
- Research shows that the more people drink, the more likely they are to behave aggressively.
- Family violence, bullying, and dating aggression is associated with alcohol use.
- Whenever people are intoxicated, the stage is set for aggression.
What role does serotonin play in aggression?
-> Serotonin controls mood, attention, sleep, and pain.
-> Serotonin-deficiency hypothesis: Low serotonin levels are linked to increased aggression and impulsivity - overreact to aversive stimuli
—>Need to do more research
->Impulsivity and low levels of serotonin are linked
How does culture influence aggression?
Aggression is an optional strategy, varying across cultures and social conditions.
Cultures of Honor (e.g., Southern USA) have higher violence rates due to social norms that view violence as acceptable for protecting honor.
Honor killings involve killing someone to protect family honor — typically condemned and illegal.
Example: A family harming a daughter for choosing a partner against their wishes.
What is Social Learning Theory?
Social learning theory suggests we learn social behavior (e.g., prosocial behavior and aggression) by observing others and imitating them, especially parents.
What did Bandura’s “Bobo” doll studies demonstrate?
->Children who watched an adult model aggressive behavior toward the doll:
—>Imitated those aggressive behaviors.
—>Engaged in novel forms of aggression toward the doll.
Kids with physically abusive parents…
…are more likely to become abusive parents themselves
How does reinforcement influence aggression?
Children may receive positive reinforcement for aggressive behavior, making them more likely to repeat it.
Ex: Pushing someone for their lunch money or bullying others for attention.
What is frustration?
Frustration is the perception that you are being prevented from achieving a goal.
What is the Frustration-Aggression Theory (Dollard et al., 1939)?
- theory that frustration will increase the probability of an aggressive response.
- Aggression is not always directed at the actual source of frustration
- Displaced Aggression
What is displaced aggression?
- When the target of your frustration is not available, you displace your anger on whatever target is available
EX. Boss is making fun of you in front of your colleagues but you can’t say anything back so take aggression/frustration out on a weaker target (often men with their wives or moms on their kids)
When is frustration more likely to lead to aggression?
- You are close to reaching your goal and are prevented from doing so.
EX. Cutting in line in front of others when you are about to be first in line
- The frustration is unexpected.
When is frustration less likely to lead to aggression?
1.The situation causing the frustration is understandable.
- The cause of the frustration is legitimate.
- The cause of the frustration is unintentional
EX. Running late for a job interview as you are stuck in traffic
What is relative deprivation?
- The perception that you have less than you deserve, less than what you have been led to expect, or less than what people similar to you have.
EX. You want something but only the people around you have access to that resource so you show aggression towards them
EX. Immigrant gets the job as they are more qualified but you feel you deserve it
- Leads to frustration which causes aggression
What is a critique of the Frustration-Aggression Theory?
Frustration may lead to other emotions such as disappointment, sadness, or depression instead of aggression.
Not all aggression stems from frustration:
Frustration is more likely to result in emotional/hostile aggression than instrumental aggression.
What is the Cognitive Neoassociation Model?
- Expands the frustration-aggression model.
- Any event that leads to negative affects such as pain, heat, humidity, air pollution, and offensive odors, can lower the threshold for aggressive behavior.
EX. Hotter cities have more aggressive behavior in the summer as their aggression threshold is lowered
How does social exclusion impact aggression?
Linked to peer rejection and aggression in children.
Can also motivate efforts to form new social bonds.
