The fustration-aggression hypothesis

Question 1

Who developed the fustration aggression hypothesis

Answer 1

Dollard et al

Question 2

What is the idea of the fustration aggression hypothesis

Answer 2

That all aggression was the result of fustration, which is caused by someone being prevented from getting something they want

Question 3

What could inhibit aggressive behaviour

Answer 3

Contextual factors like threat of punishment

Question 4

What is catharsis in the fustration aggression hypothesis

Answer 4

A form of emotional release that is achieved by the person engaging in aggressive behaviour or having aggressive thoughts about the target.

Question 5

Why does catharsis work in the fustration aggression hypothesis

Answer 5

Fustration leads to the arousal of an aggressive drive, which then leads to aggressive behaviour. Aggressive drives can be reduced by through the production of aggressive behaviour, which therefore has a cathartic effect

Question 6

What increases fustration (not justified or unjustified)

Answer 6

Fustration increases when our motivation to achieve a goal is very strong or when we expect gratification, and when there is nothing we can do about it

Question 7

What study highlighted the fact that fustration increases when there is nothing we can do about it

Answer 7

Brown et al surveyed British holidaymakers prevented from going on holiday because of french fishing boats blocking the harbour. Found and increase in hostility towards the the french

Question 8

Who distinguished between justified and unjustified aggression

Answer 8

Pastore

Question 9

Who surveyed English people and found increasingly hostile opinions of the French

Answer 9

Brown

Question 10

How did Pastore demonstate justified and unjustified fustration

Answer 10

He asked participants to rate levels of fustration in justified (bus didn’t stop with an out of service sign) versus unjustified (no sign) situations, found that justified resulted in much lower levels of fustration

Question 11

What is the dispaced aggression theory

Answer 11

As it is often impossible to take out our anger on the source of our fustaration, aggression is sometimes displaced from from source to something else, called the “kicking the dog” effect

Question 12

Who revised the fustration aggression hypothesis

Answer 12

Berkowitz

Question 13

What is the revised fustration aggression hypothesis

Answer 13

Created by Berkowitz, he suggested that fustration was one of many unpleasant experiences that can lead to aggression, as these experiences create a ‘negative effect’ on the individual, they trigger aggression.

Question 14

What is more likely to trigger aggression in the revised fustration aggression hypothesis

Answer 14

Unanticipated interference in reaching our goals rather than anticipated interference. It this revision, the nature of a fustrating event is less important than how negative the resulting effect is

Question 15

Why might aggression not be the automatic consequence of fustration (eval)

Answer 15

Social Learning Theorists have argued aggression is only one possible response to fustration. They claim fustration produces generalised arousal in an individual, and they may respond aggressively if it has benefitted them in the past or if they have observed it in models. However they could respond differently, if they have learned it is unsuccessful in that condition

Question 16

Why is there a lack of research support for central claims of the fustration aggression hypothesis (eval)

Answer 16

Catharisis has not been supported by research, with Bushman finding that behaving aggressively is likely to lead to more, rather than less aggression in future. Bushman found these aggressive thoughts kept angry feelings active in memory and made people more angry

Question 17

Who found catharsis made people more angry

Answer 17

Bushman

Question 18

How does the fustration aggression hypothesis have real world application (eval)

Answer 18

It has been used to explain mass killings, with Staub arguing that mass killings are often rooted in fustration caused by social and economic difficulties in society. This leads to scapegoating, discrimination and aggression. For example germans and the jews after WW1, with Goldhagen arguing that ordinary germans condoned the violence to the Jews

Question 19

Who argued that mass killings are rooted in fustrations in society

Answer 19

Staub

Question 20

What intentionalist historian can be used to support Staub

Answer 20

Goldhagen

Question 21

Explain how it’s a bit of an issue that not all aggression arises from fustration (eval)

Answer 21

Fustration is just one of many adversive effects that can lead to aggression, with Reifman et al studying baseball games and finding that temperature increased pitcher’s aggressive displays. This does support the revised edition of the fustration aggression hypothesis however.

Question 22

Who studied boring ass baseball pitchers

Answer 22

Reifman