Aggression

Question 1

aggression

definition

Answer 1

intentional behaviour aimed at causing either physical or psychological pain

Question 2

hostile aggression

definition

Answer 2

an act of aggression stemming from feelings of anger and aimed at inflicting pain or injury

Question 3

instrumental aggression

definition

Answer 3

aggression as a means to some goal other than causing pain

Question 4

evolutionary psychologist approach to aggression

why do they think men are more aggression

Answer 4

physical aggression is geneticcally programmed into men because it enables them to defend their group and perpetuate their genes

Question 5

Evolutionary Approach–2 reasons why male aggress

Answer 5

1. establish dominance over other males and secure highest possible status
2. out of sexual jealousy to ensure their mate is not having sex with another man

Question 6

Evolutionary Approach–reason why females agress

Answer 6

protect their offspring

Question 7

honour cultures

definition

Answer 7

cultures that define male honour in terms of power, toughness, and the ability to protect one’s property

Question 8

testosterone

definition with aggression

Answer 8

male sex hormone associated with aggression

Question 9

social learning theory

definition

Answer 9

theory that we learn social behaviour by observing others and imitating them

observational learning = observing others and imitating them

Question 10

serotonin

definition

Answer 10

neurotransmitter responsible for controlling mood, attention, sleep, and pain

Question 11

serotonin deficiency hypothesis

definition

Answer 11

people who are low in serotonin tend to be more aggressive
-> may be a causal factor in impulsive aggression, but not instrumental aggression

Question 12

frustration-aggression theory

definition

Answer 12

theory that frustration–the perception that you’re being prevented from obtaining a gaol–will increase the probability of an aggressive response

Question 13

factors that increase frustration

4 factors

Answer 13

1. closeness to the goal/object of desire
   -> closer to the goal, greater the expectation, the more likely to aggress
2. expectation
   -> high expectation leads to mroe likelihood of frustration
3. size and strength of the person responsible for your frustration
4. the person’s ability to retaliate

Question 14

relative deprivation

definition

Answer 14

perception that you have less than you deserve, less than what you have been led to expect, or less than what people similar to you have

not the same as frustration

Question 15

weapons effect

definition

Answer 15

increase in aggression that can occur because of the mere presence of a gun or other weapons

only if we link the object with aggression

Question 16

effects of violence in television and movies on aggression

Answer 16

watching violence increases frequency of aggressive behaviour, angry emotions, and hostile thoughts.
the more violence children watch on TV, the more violence they exhibit later as teenagers and young adults

Question 17

effects of pornography and violence

Answer 17

exposure to violent pornography is associated with greater sexism, acceptance of sexual violence towards women, and is almost certainly a factor associated with actual aggressive behaviour

Question 18

explain the numbing and dehumanizing effects of media violence

Answer 18

repeated exposure to difficult or unpleasant events tends to have an numbing effect on our sensitivity to those events.
numbing effect may also make people more accepting of violence in intimate relationships

Question 19

conditions to use punishment to reduce aggressive behaviour

2 conditions

Answer 19

1. punishment must be both prompt and certain
2. must be unavoidable

it’s all about consistency and certainty of punishment

Question 20

cartharsis

definition

Answer 20

notion that “blowing off steam”–by performing an aggressive act, wathcing others engage in aggressive behavour, or engaging in a fantasy of aggression–relieves built-up aggressive energies and hence reduces the likelohood of further aggressive behaviour

Buchman et al (1999) cartharsis increases anger rather an reduce

Question 21

what happens when we blame the victim of our aggression?

Answer 21

commiting an over act of aggression against a person changes your feelings about that person in a negative direction
-> increasing the probability of future aggression against that person

Question 22

actively enabling

definition

Answer 22

using simple techniques like counting to 10, taking deep breaths, engaging in pleasant distractions, to allow anger to dissipate

Question 23

explain role of apology and anger

Answer 23

a sincere apology, where the perpetrator takes full responsibility, is effective at reducing aggression

Question 24

explain role of empathy and aggression

Answer 24

greather the empathy experienced, the lower the desire to seek revenge for the transgression