Aggression Flashcards
What is aggression?
an act performed with the intent to harm another, who wishes to avoid such harm
What is direct aggression?
physical and/or psychological attack
What is indirect aggression?
attack on social relationships
What is proactive aggression?
instrumental - harm is inflicted as a means to the desired end
What is reactive aggression?
emotional - harm is inflicted for its own sake
What is the frustration-aggression hypothesis?
frustration always elicits the motive to aggress; all aggression is caused by frustration
The motive to aggress is a psychological drive that resembles a physiological drive that can lead to…
- Displacement (aggressing against a substitute target)
- Catharsis (the reduction of this motive)
When is frustration greatest?
- People are close to reaching their goal
- The obstacle is unexpected
What other factors can cause aggression?
- Provocation: insults can increase aggression unless mitigating factors are known in advance
- Pain
- Heat
- Offensive odours
- Air Pollution
What happens when negativity is too intense?
escape or fatigue become more dominant so aggression decreases
What are aggression-related cues?
Weapons (guns) increase aggressive behaviour
How is aggression influenced by learning from direct experience?
direct experience with rewards and punishment can affect the likelihood of future aggressive responses
What is the social learning theory?
BOBO DOLL STUDY - indirect learning experience (observing others) affects the likelihood of future aggressive behaviours
By watching aggressive behaviours people…
- Learn specific aggressive behaviours
- Develop more positive attitudes and beliefs about aggression in general
- Construct aggressive scripts
What are the effects of violent media on aggression?
exposure to violent media increases aggressive behaviour
What violent media causes stronger violence?
- described as real vs fiction
- Morally justified by the situation
- Described as revenge
- Is carried out by someone we identify with
- Is approved by an adult
What is the culture of honour?
Aggression is used to protect honour with minor conflicts seen as challenges to social status and reputation and can trigger aggressive responses
What is the individual difference of narcissism?
Grandiose view of self - higher levels of narcissism = greater aggression
What is the individual difference of self-control?
Being able to resist impulses and act in line with personal/societal standards for appropriate behaviour
What is the effect of alcohol on aggression?
Alcohol narrows attention to the most salient aspects of a situation and limits the ability to think through implications of cue
What is alcohol myopia?
Leads to more extreme behaviour when there is inhibition conflict as people process the salient cue but not the inhibiting cues
When can punishment for aggression be effective?
- Prompt: immediately follows aggressive behaviour
- Certain: consistently applied, unavoidable
- Seen as fair/legitimate
- Strong enough to deter the aggressor
What is catharsis?
the release of pent up aggression originally thought to be effective behaviour but it backfires
How can aggression be prevented?
- Increase empathy: school programs
- Increase self-control: self-control training
