Psych FINAL exam FISH Flashcards
What is the definition of aggression?
Intentional behaviour aimed at causing either physical or psychological pain … it has to involve INTENT. It excludes accidental harm or cases where the ultimate goal is to help someone (ex/ dentist)
What are the four different forms of aggression ?
Passive (causing harm through the absence or withholding of a response, active (actively engaging in or enacting harmful behaviour (ex/ actively hitting someone), direct (expressed in face to face interactions) and indirect (expressed in roundabout way: perp is difficult to identify (ex/ slashing someone’s tires)
What are the 2 motivations for aggression ?
HOSTILE/REACTIVE (impulsive, unplanned; primary goal is to cause harm ex/ murder) and INSTRUMENTAL/ PROACTIVE (premeditated planning; primary goal is something other than causing harm ex/ attacking someone for their wallet)
What are the various theories/explanations as to why we aggress?
- instinct/evolutionary approaches
-frustration-aggression theory
-cognitive neoassociationalist model
-learning theories
-extinction transfer theory
Describe the instinct/ evolutionary theories of aggression and some critiques?
Instinctive behavior: innate, unlearned beahviour patterns exhibited by all members of a species
Critiques to this theory: no evidence of build of aggressive energy over time, so called “innate” behaviours can be learned, human aggression is diverse.
Describe frustration-aggression theory and some critiques?
The theory that frustration- the perception that you are being prevented from obtaining a goal- will increase the probability of an aggressive behaviour. (2 key claims; frustration always leads to some form of aggression and aggression is always the result of frustration)
Critiques of this theory: frustration leads to responses other than aggression and not all instances of aggression are caused by frustration.
Describe the KUO cat study?
Kittens were raised under 3 different conditions; rat killing mom, isolation and rat companion
85% killed the rat when raised by killing mom vs. 17% who were raised by cat companion rat.
This showcases how conditions UN your environment and learning process can be modified by early experiences
Describe the neoassicionatlist model?
If you are experiencing unjustified frustration- may already have anger and then sees aggression cues, you may act agressive.
- aggression depends on cognitive factors- like how a person has learned to think about moments in past, expectations we have.
Aggression cues such as weapons tend to increase levels of aggression
Discuss the excitation transfer theory (And the zillamn exercise study)
Arousal from other sources can be mislabeled as anger and consequently increase aggression…. In the sill an exercise study, the participants started out as angered or not, then completed an old or intense expertise and hen had an opportunity to shock someone. Those who weren’t instigated and exercised= not aggressive… where’s those with lots of physiological arousal + insulted = most aggressive and likely to shock.
What is the BOBO doll study an example of?
Social learning theory.
What are some personal determinants of aggression ?
GENETICS (some genes are predisposed to be more aggressive “warrior gene”, HORMONES (some studies show higher levels of testosterone can result in being more aggressive), PERSONALITY ( traits like irrationality, emotional susceptibility, inadequate feelings are all associated with aggression)
CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL (consuming alcohol increases aggression)
GENDER (genders are socialized. Women encouraged to be gentle and men encouraged to be aggressive. Boys tend to be more phsycial aggression and girls tend to be more indirect aggression)
What is the “precarious manhood”study?
It’s the idea that manhood in contrast to womanhood is seen as a precarious state requiring continual social proof and validation. This theory argues that womanhood results from a neutral, biological development and manhood must be earned and maintained through publicly verifiable actions.
What are some situational determinants of aggression?
AVERSIVE SIMULATION (uncomfortable stimuli; the stimuli can increase physiological arousal and then predict aggressive behaviour) FEELINGS OF DEPRIVATION(perception that you have less than you deserve, creating a feeling of anger and hostility) CULTURAL VALUES (‘cultures of honor’ make honor as aggressive in some cultures- more guns in some. VIOLENT MEDIA (violent media may increase aggressive outcomes)
Describe the 2 competing perspectives on violent media and aggressive behaviours??
1) GENERAL AGGRESSION MODEL- this model argues that being exposed to violent media leads to learning and application of aggression knowledge structure in media. Cognitively based model — but genetic and biology is missing though
2) THE CATALYST MODEL OF VIOLENT CRIME- this model does consider genetic and biological influences. This perspective argues that violence and aggression occurs primarily because of biological pathways. This model believes that media and violence does not have any causal influence.
What are some ways to reduce aggression ?
ACTIVE ENABLING (doing something to allow your anger to disapaite) COMMUNICATION (communicate with the person that made you angry) MODELING (modeling more appropriate responses to anger) and FOSTER EMPATHY (try to are their perspective and understand why they did what they did)
What are some NONeffective ways to reduce aggression?
SEVERE PUNISHMENT— hitting, spanking, yelling
CATHARSIS— idea that you can release anger by being angry or aggressive to another appropriate target ex/ punching bag
What is psychological distance?
With regard to climate change, individuals may opt for self interested options because the consequences are psychologically distant— abstract and difficult to grasp or see. ‘Climate change is psychologically distant along several dimensions; time, relation to self, (UN)certainty, instrumental action.
