AGGRESSION Flashcards
Aggression
Aggression - behaviour intended to harm another living being.
- Evolution seems to have hard-wired aggression into our biology.
- Many of the social processes that begin when we gather in groups also seem to lead to aggression.
- 2 types of aggression
2 types of aggression amongst humans -
1) Physical aggression
2) Social aggression
Biological bases of Aggression
Biological bases of aggression - human beings, like other animals, have been equipped by evolution with a biology that predisposes us to apply aggression.
- Lorenz’s Theory of Aggression (Lorenz, 1966)
- Genetic influences on aggression + Warrior gene
- Serotonin
- Testosterone
- Sex differences in physical aggression
- Alcohol and aggression
Lorenz’s Theory of Aggression (Lorenz, 1966)
- Due to evolutionary pressure, humans have developed a “fighting instinct” that causes them to use aggression against members of the same species.
- Aggression is inevitable, caused by biology.
- Those whose aggressive energy builds up, will seek out opportunities to act out.
Limitations of Lorenz’ theory
- His analysis was built on flawed understanding of evolutionary theory.
- Argued that aggression is favourable for the species BUT natural selection is not driven by the survival of the species.
- Emphasised the idea of catharsis (release of bent-up aggressive energy through symbolic acts) - BUT not accurate (instead support for SLT as we learn aggressive behaviour from others).
Genetic influences on Aggression
- Animal studies - mice and silver foxes - some species and breeds are more aggressive than others.
- Twin studies - 50% of the variation in human aggression is attributable to our genes (Miles & Carey, 1997).
- Physical, but not social, forms of aggression may have a genetic basis. (Brendgen et al., 2005).
- The relationship between self-reported aggression of MZ twins was equally as strong when they were raised together as when raised apart (Tellegen et al., 1988).
- The Warrior Gene - MAOA regulating gene + switches off neurotransmitters like serotonin + interacts with environmental factors + in 34% of population + higher psychopathy and aggression in European samples (Crampton & Parkin, 2007) + Bradley Waldroup’s sentence change from death to 32 years on the basis of this gene (Barber, 2010).
Serotonin & Aggression
- Correlational studies have found that humans with chronically low levels of serotonin activity are more prone to aggression (Berman et al., 1997; Moore et al., 2002).
Testosterone & Aggression
- Mixed evidence
- Often thought to be responsible for gender differences in aggression
- Those high in testosterone report stronger feelings on agitation + more aggression + more likely to be in prison for unprovoked violent crimes (Book et al., 2001).
- Animal experiments - increasing testosterone levels = increase in aggression (Bronson & Desjardins, 1968).
Sex differences in physical aggression
- Roughly 10x more murders committed by men than women (Bjorkqvist et al., 2002).
- Around 97% of same-sex murder incidents involve men, only 3% involve women.
- But no difference between men and boys and women to social aggression (Card et al., 2008).
Alcohol & Aggression
- Alcohol is a powerful cause of aggression.
- At least 2/3rd of murders are committed under the influence of alcohol.
- Alcohol makes people more aggressive (Taylor & Gammon, 1975).
- Even if someone has merely thought they have drunk alcohol (Begue et al., 2009) or if someone had been primed by alcohol-related words on a computer (Bartholow & Heinz, 2006).
Social causes of Aggression
- Frustration - an aversive state triggered when individuals are prevented from achieving a goal.
- Aversive conditions have also been shown to trigger aggression.
1) Attribution Theory
2) Social Learning Theory (SLT)
3) Media effects - General Aggression Model
4) Sport & Aggression - Catharsis Model + Norms Model
Attribution Theory
Attribution Theory - our reactions to events are determined by the causes we perceive to underlie them.
- Aggressive people are prone to hostile attribution bias (seeing innocent/ambiguous behaviours by others as deliberate acts of provocation) (Orobio de Castro et al., 2002).
Social Learning Theory (SLT) (Bandura et al., 1961)
Social Learning Theory (SLT) - we learn (aggressive behaviour) also by observing others being rewarded or punished for their behaviour.
Bobo Doll experiment (Bandura et al., 1961)
- Children watched an adult punch the doll.
- Then given access to a similar doll.
- Results: Copied the aggressive behaviour they had previously seen exhibited by the adults
Media Effects - General Aggression Model ( )
Watching violent material or playing violent games may cause people to -
- Develop more positive attitudes towards aggression (SLT)
- May promote desensitization (reductions in negative emotions to violence from repeated exposure).
- Cause them to be more likely to perceive aggression in the environment (hostile attribution bias)
- Lead them to be more likely to expect aggression from others or themselves
