Social Topic 8

Question 1

Aggression

Answer 1

• Physical or verbal behaviour intended to cause harm.
• Excludes accidental harm.

Question 2

Hostile Aggression

Answer 2

• Aggression driven by anger, with the goal to injure someone.
• Example: A person punches another in a heated argument.

Question 3

Instrumental Aggression

Answer 3

• Aggression as a means to an end, rather than purely out of anger.
• Example: A boxer punches their opponent to win a match.

Question 4

Biochemical Influences on Aggression

Answer 4

• Testosterone: Higher levels linked to aggression but not direct causation.
• Serotonin: Low levels associated with impulsive aggression.
• Dopamine & Norepinephrine: Play roles in aggressive behaviour.

Question 4

Instinct Theory of Aggression

Answer 4

• Aggression is an innate drive (Freud: Thanatos vs. Eros).
• Evolutionary perspective: Aggression aids survival and reproduction.

Question 5

Frustration-Aggression Hypothesis

Answer 5

• All frustration leads to aggression; all aggression stems from frustration.
• Example: Losing a job may lead to aggression towards an unrelated person.

Question 6

Social Learning Theory (Bandura, 1977)

Answer 6

• Aggression is learned through observation, imitation, and reinforcement.
• Bobo Doll Experiment (1963): Children imitated aggressive models.

Question 7

Scapegoating

Answer 7

Displacing aggression onto a weaker group due to frustration.

Question 8

Deindividuation

Answer 8

Loss of self-awareness in crowds, leading to impulsive aggression.
Example: Riots and mob violence.

Question 9

Environmental Triggers of Aggression

Answer 9

• Heat, noise, overcrowding, and alcohol can increase aggression.

Question 10

Catharsis Hypothesis (Debunked)

Answer 10

Releasing aggression (e.g., punching a pillow) increases rather than reduces aggression.

Question 11

Social Learning Interventions

Answer 11

• Reward non-aggression.
• Provide positive role models.
• Reduce exposure to aggressive stimuli.

Question 12

Prejudice

Answer 12

A negative attitude towards a group and its members.

Question 13

Discrimination

Answer 13

Unfair behaviour towards someone based on group membership.

Question 14

Ethnocentrism

Answer 14

Belief that one’s own group is superior to others.

Question 15

Outgroup Homogeneity Effect

Answer 15

The belief that all members of an outgroup are the same, while one’s own group is diverse.

Question 16

Stereotype

Answer 16

• A generalised belief about a group.
• Example: “All women are bad at maths.”

Question 17

Stereotype Threat

Answer 17

Fear of confirming a negative stereotype, which impacts performance.

Question 18

Ironic Suppression Effect (White Bear Phenomenon)

Answer 18

• Attempting to suppress stereotypes makes them stronger.
• Example: Trying not to think of a stereotype leads to increased recall of it.

Question 19

Steele & Aronson (1995) Study

Answer 19

• Black students performed worse when a test was described as measuring intelligence (activating stereotype threat).
• No performance difference when the test was framed as a puzzle.

Question 20

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy in Stereotype Threat

Answer 20

Fear of failure leads to stress and underperformance, reinforcing the stereotype.

Question 21

Strategies to Reduce Stereotype Threat

Answer 21

• Increase awareness of stereotype threat.
• Reduce identity ties to performance outcomes.
• Promote positive intergroup contact.
• Encourage group pride and self-confidence.

Question 22

Stereotype Lift

Answer 22

Positive stereotypes can boost performance in an identity-related task.