Frustration - Aggression Hypothesis

Question 1

Who formulated the F-A hypothesis?

Answer 1

Dollard

Question 2

What did he propose?

Answer 2

Frustration always leads to aggression. Based on psychodynamic concept of catharsis - aggression is a psychological drive just like biological drives.

Question 3

Why is it cathartic?

Answer 3

Aggression created by the frustration is satisfied, reducing the drive making aggression less likely.

Question 4

Aggression is not always expressed directly to the source for 3 reasons:

Answer 4

1) Cause of our frustration may be abstract (e.g. government)
2)Cause may be too powerful and we may risk punishment by aggressing against it
3) Cause may be unavailable at the time
Therefore aggression is displaced onto not abstract, weaker and available alternative.

Question 5

Research into F-A: Geen - Procedure

Answer 5

Male uni students completed jigsaw puzzle - aggression manipulated in 3 ways:
1) Impossible puzzle
2)Ran out of time - confederate interrupted
3)Insulted by confederate
Then pps gave (fake) electric shocks to confederate on another task

Question 6

Research into F-A: Geen - Findings

Answer 6

1)Insulted pps gave strongest, 2) Run out of time, 3)Impossible puzzle
All 3 groups selected more intense shocks than control group