Aggression Flashcards
aggression
definition
intentional behaviour aimed at causing either physical or psychological pain
hostile aggression
definition
an act of aggression stemming from feelings of anger and aimed at inflicting pain or injury
instrumental aggression
definition
aggression as a means to some goal other than causing pain
evolutionary psychologist approach to aggression
why do they think men are more aggression
physical aggression is geneticcally programmed into men because it enables them to defend their group and perpetuate their genes
Evolutionary Approach–2 reasons why male aggress
- establish dominance over other males and secure highest possible status
- out of sexual jealousy to ensure their mate is not having sex with another man
Evolutionary Approach–reason why females agress
protect their offspring
honour cultures
definition
cultures that define male honour in terms of power, toughness, and the ability to protect one’s property
testosterone
definition with aggression
male sex hormone associated with aggression
social learning theory
definition
theory that we learn social behaviour by observing others and imitating them
observational learning = observing others and imitating them
serotonin
definition
neurotransmitter responsible for controlling mood, attention, sleep, and pain
serotonin deficiency hypothesis
definition
people who are low in serotonin tend to be more aggressive
-> may be a causal factor in impulsive aggression, but not instrumental aggression
frustration-aggression theory
definition
theory that frustration–the perception that you’re being prevented from obtaining a gaol–will increase the probability of an aggressive response
factors that increase frustration
4 factors
- closeness to the goal/object of desire
-> closer to the goal, greater the expectation, the more likely to aggress - expectation
-> high expectation leads to mroe likelihood of frustration - size and strength of the person responsible for your frustration
- the person’s ability to retaliate
relative deprivation
definition
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
weapons effect
definition
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
effects of violence in television and movies on aggression
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
effects of pornography and violence
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
explain the numbing and dehumanizing effects of media violence
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
conditions to use punishment to reduce aggressive behaviour
2 conditions
- punishment must be both prompt and certain
- must be unavoidable
it’s all about consistency and certainty of punishment
cartharsis
definition
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
what happens when we blame the victim of our aggression?
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
actively enabling
definition
using simple techniques like counting to 10, taking deep breaths, engaging in pleasant distractions, to allow anger to dissipate
explain role of apology and anger
a sincere apology, where the perpetrator takes full responsibility, is effective at reducing aggression
explain role of empathy and aggression
greather the empathy experienced, the lower the desire to seek revenge for the transgression
