Frustration-aggression hypothesis Flashcards
(16 cards)
What is the social psychological explanation of aggression?
Any theory that argues aggression is result of an interaction between an individuals characteristics and features of the situations in which behaviour occurs
Who formulated the original fustration-aggression hypothesis?
Dollard et al
What is the frustration aggression hypothesis?
Frustration always leads to aggression
Aggression is always the result of frustration
What is aggression?
A psychological drive akin to biological drives such as hunger
When do we experience frustration?
When out attempts to reach a goal are block by an external factor.
Creating an aggressive drive, which leads to aggressive thoughts/behaviour, such as violent fantasy, verbal outbursts.
Which removes negative emotion - catharsis
Aggression created by frustration is satisfied, reducing the drive and making further aggression less likely
Aggressive behaviour is cathartic and we feel better
What does the frustration aggression hypothesis recognise?
Aggression is not always expressed directly against the source of frustration for three reasons
. Cause of our frustration may be abstract
. Cause may be too powerful and we risk punishment by aggressing against
. Cause may just be unavailable at the time
So aggression is deflected onto an alternative, one that is not abstract, weaker and is available
Who talks about the Weapon effect?
Berkowitz
What is the weapon effect?
Frustration merely creates a readiness for aggression
The presence of aggressive cues in the environment make acting upon this much more likely
Cues are an additional element of the frustration hypothesis
How did Berkowitz demonstrate the weapon effect?
Laboratory study
Participants given real electric shocks by a confederate
Creating anger and frustration
Participants had later opportunity to give fake shocks to confederate
Number of shocks was greater when there were two guns on table compared to other conditions where no guns
average 6.07 vs 4.67
Supports Berkowitz contention that the presence of aggressive environmental cues stimulates aggression
Who did research on the fustration-aggression?
Geen
What was Geens procedure?
University students - men
Completed jigsaw puzzle
Level of frustration experimentally manipulated in one of three ways
Some participants - imposible to solve
Others - Ran out of time because another student was in the room that kept interfering
Third group - confederate insulted participant as they failed to solve the puzzle
All participants later had opportunity to give confederate electric shocks
What did Geen find?
Insulted participants gave the strongest shocks on average
Followed by interfered group
The the impossible task participants
Three groups selected more intense shocks than a control group
What is a strength of the frustration aggression hypothesis?
Research support
Marcus-Newhall et al
Meta analysis
49 studies of displaced aggression
Investigated situations where aggressive behaviour was direct against a human target other than the one who caused the frustration
Concluded that displaced aggression is a reliable phenomenon
Frustrated participants - provoked but unable to retaliate directly against the source of their frustration were significantly more likely to aggress against an innocent party than people who were not provoked
Showing frustration can lead to aggression against a weaker or more able available target
What is a limitation of the frustration aggression hypothesis?
Aggression may not be cathartic
Bushman
Participants who vented their anger by repeatedly hitting a punchbag actually became more aggressive rather than less
Doing nothing was more effective - reducing aggression than venting
Using venting to reduce anger - using petrol to put out a fire
Doesn’t work even for people who believe in its value
The better people feel after venting - more aggressive they are
Showing central assumption of the frustration aggression hypothesis may not be valid
What is a limitation of the fustration aggression hypothesis?
Link between frustration and aggression is complex
Frustration does not always lead to aggression - aggression can occur without frustration
Nothing automatic about link between the two
Someone who feels frustrated may behave in range of different ways
Instead of being aggressive may be helpless or determined
Someone who behaves aggressively may do so for many reasons
Suggesting is inadequate because it only explains how aggression arises in some situations but not others
What is a counterpoint to the link being complex between frustration and aggression?
Berkowitz
Reformulated the initial hypothesis to take account of the criticisms
Negative affect theory - frustration is just one of many aversive stimuli that create negative feelings
Including loneliness, jealousy and pain
Aggressive behaviour triggered by negative feelings generally rather than by frustration specifically
Outcome of frustration can be range of responses
Frustration can form part of a wider explanation of what causes aggression
