Aggression

Question 1

definition of aggression.

Answer 1

• adaptive behaviour because it ensures survival
• competing over resources like food - being more aggressive can increase likelihood of getting food over competition.

Question 2

Neural & Hormonal influences- What is the limbic system?

Answer 2

area of the brain that co-ordinates behaviours that satisfy motivational & emotional urges (aggression & fear)

Question 3

Neural & Hormonal influences- (Neural) Role of the Amygdala.

Answer 3

• responsible for evaluating importance of sensory info and the promoting response
• if certain areas of amygdala stimulated then we respond aggressively.

BUCY(1937)- impaired amygdala in usually dominant monkey– lost it’s dominant position withing group

Question 4

Neural & Hormonal influences- (Neural) Role of the Hippocampus.

Answer 4

• compares threats of current conditions with past experiences to formulate response.
• impaired hippocampal functioning can cause Amygdala to respond aggressively

BOCCARDI(2010)- found habitually violent offenders had abnormalities in hippocampal functioning.

Question 5

Neural & Hormonal influences- (Neural) Role of Serotonin.

Answer 5

• normal levels have a calming, inhibitory effect on neurons firing in Amygdala.
• low levels remove this effect

MANN(1990)
- gave ptp’s drug which depletes serotonin, found it increased hostility and aggression but only in males.

Question 6

Neural & Hormonal influences- (Hormonal) Role of testosterone.

Answer 6

• produces male characteristics, one which is thought to be aggression
• levels peak in young males

SAPOLSKY(1998)
- said removing source of testosterone in any species lowers levels of aggression.

Question 7

Evaluation of Neural & Hormonal influences on aggressive behaviours.

Answer 7

strength; research support for amygdala. Pardini (2014), found from MRI’s that reduced amygdala volume can cause severe and persistent aggression. TMB shows relationship between amygdala and aggressive behaviour. May explain individuals aggressive exhibitions. Validating role for Amygdala.

strength; research support for hippocampus. Raine (2004) found criminals that were considered ‘unsuccessful psychopaths acted more impulsively. Brain scans revealed asymmetries in hippocampus. TMB shows this may impair the ability of hippo & amygdala working together so that emotional info is not processed correctly. Leading to aggression. Validating hippocampus’ role.

strength; research support for role of serotonin. Rayleigh (1991), monkeys fed on diet low in serotonin more aggressive than those fed with high serotonin. TMB shows aggression affected by diff levels of serotonin, evidencing the link between them, validating role of serotonin.

limitation; role of testosterone has been challenged. Studies failed to show relationship between the hormone and aggression. Mazzur (1985), states testosterone just increases status-seeking behaviour to which aggression is just one type. TMB suggests relationship between testosterone and aggression may be more complex than originally suggested. Thus limiting hormonal explanations.

Question 8

Biological explanations- Genetic factors in aggression. (chromosomes & Court-Brown, 1965)

Answer 8

CHROMOSOMES
- XX female, XY male
- early studies suggested aggression lies on Y chromosome
- studied males with XYY individuals (‘supermales’)

COURT-BROWN (1965)
- studied supermales, suggested they should remained hospitalized given their increased likelihood of aggressive behaviours.

Question 9

Biological explanations- Genetic factors in aggression. (MAOA Gene)

Answer 9

• Monoamine Oxidase A (also known as warrior gene)
• shown to carry aggressive traits in people.
• metabolises adrenaline, serotonin & dopamine
• dysfunction in this gene can lead to excesses of neurotransmitters.
• if adrenaline isn’t metabolised it can lead to hypersensitivity in ‘flight or fight’ causing individual to overreact to a stimulus that isn’t actually considered a threat.
  MAOA-L (low levels of this gene)- more likely to exhibit ASBO behaviours, triggered by bad treatment as a child
  MAOA-H (high levels)- not much impact, not usually triggered by childhood abuse.

Question 10

Biological explanations- Genetic factors in aggression. (twin studies & adoption studeis)

Answer 10

TWIN STUDIES- CACCARO (1997)
- adult male MZ & DZ twins
- concordance rates- 50% MZ & 19% DZ (general aggression)
- supports nature- higher concordance rates in MZ twins shows genetic link but not 100%- env factors play a role

ADOPTION STUDIES- HUTCHINGS (1975)
- lots of adopted boys with a criminal conviction also had parents with convictions (particularly fathers)- supports genetic link.

Question 11

Evaluation of Genetic Factors on aggressive behaviours.

Answer 11

strength; evidence for role of MAOA gene. Tiihonen (2015), studies prisoners, found that MAOA-L combined with CDH13 was associated with extremely violent crimes. No substantial evidence for these genes found in non-violent offenders. TMB shows that this combo is specific to violent behaviour, supports that a faulty MAOA gene causes an individual to be aggressive. Supporting genetic factors.

limitation; issue with sampling in studies. Most studies use convicted criminals which are deemed aggressive by the law, however a lot of repeat, more violent criminals are never convicted. Also, using people that have been labelled aggressive based off of their crimes may have only displayed this once- in their crime. TMB represents only a small minority of people who are aggressive and may explain why some studies have no evidence of heritability of violence as using a poor sample. Limiting research into role of genetic factors.

limitation; difficult to establish genetic contributions. More than one gene associated with aggressive behaviour & non-genetic factors such as the env and how they interact with internal factors. TMB we are unable to determine how much contribution genetics actually have on aggressive behaviour as it is impossible to isolate these influences from one another. Limiting role of genetics.

limitation; problems with assessing aggression. Miles & Careys meta-analysis. Found self-reports and parental reports showed significantly more influence of genetic factors compared to that of observational techniques used which showed more influence of the env. TMB inconsistencies in findings make it difficult to asses relative contributions of genetic and env factors in aggression, limiting our understanding of the role of genetics in this behaviour.

Question 12

Ethological patterns of aggression- What is ethological explanations? (definitions)

Answer 12

• seeks to understand innate behaviours of animals (inc humans) by studying them in natural env.
• these have survival advantages (like aggression for food/territory/mates)

Question 13

Ethological patterns of aggression- FAP’S, Niko Tinnenberg (1951).

Answer 13

• fixed action patterns; stereotypical behaviours which occur in specific conditions & don’t require learning.
• IRM; innate releasing mechanism receives info from specific sign stimulus, activates FAPS.
• characteristics of FAP’S; universal, ballistic (cannot be stopped), stereotyped, innate, specific triggers (sign stimulus)

Question 14

KEY STUDY- Ethological patterns of aggression- FAP’S, Niko Tinnenberg (1951), Male sticklebacks.

Answer 14

• highly territorial in mating season, develop a red spot on their underbelly.
• if another male enters territory, FAP’S are initiated.
• red spot acts as sign stimulus, angers animal.

Question 15

Ethological patterns of aggression- Ritualistic aggression.

Answer 15

• displays of aggression
• helps assess strength of opponent before conflict - reduces likelihood of physical aggression.
  GARDNER & HEIDER (1968)
• Dani of New Guinea engaged in highly ritualised patterns of intergroup hostility.

Question 16

Ethological patterns of aggression- Wolves & Doves.

Answer 16

• wolves have natural weapons & have natural instincts of when to use them & when not to.
• doves do not - can only fly away

Question 17

Evaluation of ethological patterns of aggression.

Answer 17

strength; research support for FAP’S. Breland found that animals tend to revert back to instinctive behaviour regardless of training. TMB, supports that FAP’S are ballistic. Shows that aggression is innate and animalistic. Supports role of FAP’S in ethological explanation of aggression.

strength; benefits of ritualised aggression. Chagnun (1992), suggests that a tribe he studied, uses chest pounding to settle conflicts. TMB, it shows that even in moderately violent cultures such as the Yanomamo, rituals decrease actual aggression and prevent injury/death. Thus supporting…

limitation; criticisms of instinctive view of aggression (Lorenz). Lehrman (1953), believed Lorenz had underestimated role of env factors. FAP’S has been replaced with ‘behaviour pattern’ as they aren’t innate & can be modified by experience. TMB, there is subtle variations between members of same species suggesting that patterns of behaviours aren’t as fixed as Lorenz claimed. Thus limiting…

limitation; may not be applicable to modern day. A researcher suggested that FAP’S such as aggression, no longer adaptive in modern day. Humans constantly adapting to new env’s which is more effective than FAP’S. TMB, although animals may respond aggressively to a sign stimuli, human behaviour is far more varied and far less predictable. Thus limiting…

Question 18

Evolutionary explanations of aggression - sexual competition.

Answer 18

• mating competition; stronger male wins female
• more likely to mate - more likely to produce offspring
• similar in human males, 75% more muscle mass than women (important for status)

Question 19

Evolutionary explanations of aggression - sexual jealousy

Answer 19

• major motivator in aggressive behaviour
• men cannot be sure if child is theirs
• paternity uncertainty is result of the threat of ‘cuckoldry’
  (men don’t want to raise children who are not theirs - waste of resources)

Question 19

Evolutionary explanations of aggression - evolutionary sexual jealousy

Answer 19

• avoiding cuckoldry is more successful in reproducing
  BUSS (1988)
• sexual jealousy more strongly experienced in males than females
  DOBASH & DOBASH (1984)
• women victims of DV report jealousy as a key factor of their abusers violence
• this drives aggressive behaviours that males use to keep partner (male retention strategies)

Question 20

Evolutionary explanations of aggression - male retention strategies

Answer 20

WILSON & DALY (1996)
- direct guarding- male vigilance over partners behaviour (like checking location)

• Negative inducements- threatening dire consequences (‘I’ll kill myself if you leave’)

Question 21

Evolutionary explanations of aggression - Aggression in warfare

Answer 21

SMITH (2007)
- warfare attracts more mates
- male warriors had more sexual partners and children
- Aggression in warfare= Increased status, earns respect, strengthen bonds

Question 22

Evolutionary explanations of aggression - bullying (only mention in ao1 if specifically asked in the question)

Answer 22

• due to power imbalance
• powerful person uses aggression against weak target
• evolutionary exp uses bullying as an adaptive trait to increase chances of survival.
  VOLK (2012)
• characteristics of bullying seen as attractive
• suggests dominance= reproduction
• female bullying takes place more in a relationship as a method of control

Question 23

Evaluation of evolutionary explanations of aggression.

Answer 23

strength; research support for aggression & status. Campbell (1933), most violent members of a gang have the highest status. TMB supports correlation between increased aggression and status which means more likely to win in sexual competition against other men. Provides an adaptive advantage. Thus supporting…

limitation; sex differences may be due to socialisation to evolution. Researcher found that misbehaviour is explained to females where as boys are physically punished. Girls learn that they are not as strong as boy so look for more socially acceptable forms of aggression. TMB, suggests that socialisation may be better exp than ev. Questions the claim that only males have evolved aggression. Thus limiting…

limitation; Gender bias in warfare. For example, female warriors are almost unheard of and we do not know their participation in war. TMB, limits understanding of women’s aggression in war due to research being androcentric. Findings of aggression in warfare unable to be generalised to everyone. Thus limiting…

limitation; fail to explain levels of cruelty in human conflict. For example, mass genocide like in Rwanda (1994). It fails to tell us why we mutilate our enemies after they no longer pose a threat. TMB, suggests that de-individuation is a better exp than evo. Aggressive behaviour may be due to lack of responsibility, this would explain why it continues past point of threat which evo exp doesn’t account for. Thus limiting…

Question 24

Social-psychological explanations of aggression; Frustration-Aggression Hypothesis - FAH

Answer 24

DOLLARD(1939)
- formulated FAH
- based on psychodynamic concept of catharsis (releasing aggression but is blocked), sees aggression as an innate, psychological drive.
- if we attempt to achieve a goal and its blocked we experience frustration

Question 25

Social-psychological explanations of aggression; Frustration-Aggression Hypothesis - Justified vs Unjustified aggression

Answer 25

unjustified- more likely to result in aggression (bus doesn’t stop at bus stop)

justified- less likely to result in aggression (bus doesn’t stop because it’s not in service)

Question 26

Social-psychological explanations of aggression; Frustration-Aggression Hypothesis - displaced aggression

Answer 26

• aggression not always taken out on the direct source;
• cause may be abstract (economic situation)
• cause too powerful & risk punishment (teacher)
• cause may be unavailable at the time (teacher already left when receiving a bad report)
• weaker & readily available target (shouting at sibling)

Question 27

Social-psychological explanations of aggression; Frustration-Aggression Hypothesis - REVISED FAH

Answer 27

BERKOWITZ(1989)
- frustration creates readiness for aggression
- frustration caused by not being able to achieve a goal (negative state is what causes the aggression)
- unanticipated interference more likely to lead to aggression that anticipated.

Question 28

Evaluation of Social-psychological explanations of aggression; Frustration-Aggression Hypothesis

Answer 28

strength; can be used to explain mass killings. Staub (1966), mass killings often due to socio-economic factors which lead to widespread frustration, leads to ‘scapegoating’ & aggression towards scapegoat. TMB widespread frustration can have violent, displaced aggression into a weaker and readily available target like a scapegoat. Thus supporting FAH as an explanation of aggression.

strength; FAH can be used to explain violent behaviour in football fans. Priks (2010), changed a football teams position in the league as a measure of frustration & the number of objects thrown as a measure of aggression. Found that fans more violent when performed worse than expected. TMB, shows that frustration is more when there is expectations of doing well, unanticipated interference causes more aggression. Thus supporting…

limitation; challenged by SLT. They suggest that frustration causes generalised arousal but aggressive behaviour depends on whether someone has seen it either being directly or vicariously reinforced. This suggests that aggression is not an automatic consequence of frustration and people learn to produce aggression and the circumstances it is likely to be successful in. Limiting FAH…

limitation; not all aggression is caused by frustration. Reifman (1951), found that as temp increased, pitchers more likely to be aggressive to batters in a baseball game. Other factors like pain can also lead to aggression. TMB limits FAH as env factors do not prevent you from achieving a goal but make it harder for you to do so by creating neg feelings. Limiting original FAH but supporting revised FAH.

Question 29

Social-psychological explanations of aggression; Social learning theory; Direct & Indirect learning.

Answer 29

• Bandura suggested that aggression can be learnt through pos & neg reinforcement & punishment.
• ‘child snatches a toy, they get toy’ = brings results
• suggested there is an indirect form of learning known as observational learning (vicarious reinforcement)

Question 30

Social-psychological explanations of aggression; Social learning theory; Observational learning.

Answer 30

• child works out how aggressive behaviour is performed but also learns the consequences
• if aggression results in pos consequence (reward) child may imitate behaviour. = vicarious reinforcement

Question 31

Social-psychological explanations of aggression; Social learning theory; Cognitive control of aggressive behaviour.

Answer 31

• ARRM (mediational processes) and cog frameworks are used to decide whether or not to carry out behaviour
• Self-efficacy; the extent to which we believe our actions will achieve desired goals
• child’s confidence grows in ability to be aggressive as they learn it can bring rewards ( sense of self-efficacy develops with each outcome)

Question 32

Social-psychological explanations of aggression; Social learning theory; KEY STUDY, BANDURA (1961)

Answer 32

• kids 3-5 yrs old
• children that watched a role model be aggressive (physically and verbally) to Bobo Doll replicated aggressive behaviour.
• children that wasn’t exposed to aggression didn’t act aggressively to doll.
• Boys reproduced more physical aggression, but verbal aggression didn’t differ between kids.

Question 33

Evaluation of Social-psychological explanations of aggression; Social learning theory.

Answer 33

strength; can be used to explain inconsistencies in aggressive behaviour. For example, people may behave aggressively in one situation but not in another as the consequences may not have the same desired outcome in each situation (one may be neg one may be pos). TMB, suggests aggression is displayed based on the consequences or rewards, supporting vicarious reinforcement (observational learning). Thus supporting…

strength; can be used to explain cultural differences in aggression. For example, children of King San of the Kalahan desert. Parents avoid using physical punishment with their children and avoid using aggressive postures, which are devalued by society. TMB, shows that the absence of direct or vicarious reinforcement means that there is little motivation for children to learn these aggressive behaviours, as SLT suggests. Thus supporting…

strength; real-life applications of SLT’s views of aggression. For example, if aggression is learned then it can be modified. The American Psychological Association’s intervention programme aims to educate parents on the dangers of providing aggressive role models. Weymouth (2011) found that on completion of programme, parents discontinued their use of physical punishment. This therefore shows the power of SLT in decreasing aggressive behaviour.

limitation; methodological issues in research supporting SLT. Bandura (1961), aggression was displayed against a doll not a real person, this suggests that these studies may not tell us much about the imitation of aggression towards other humans who may retaliate. Therefore lacks mundane realism, thus limiting…

Question 34

Social-psychological explanations of aggression; deindividuation; Crowd behaviour.

Answer 34

LE BON (1985)- created the concept of deindividuation

Crowd behaviour-
- when we part of crowds we are less easily identified so we loose restraint from social norms/ laws & rules.
- we loose sense of self-identity & responsibility.
- experience shared responsibility so experience less guilt.

Question 35

Social-psychological explanations of aggression; deindividuation; De-individuation leading to aggression.

Answer 35

ZIMBARDO (1969)
Individuated state- rational & normative
Deindividuated state- emotional, impulsive, irrational, anti-normative & disinhibited. Loose self-awareness & ‘live for the moment’.

DIXON (2012)
- anonymity is the biggest factor, less fear of retribution as we are small & unidentifiable part of the crowd. (uniform, darkness, drugs, alcohol, masks, disguise)

Question 36

Social-psychological explanations of aggression; deindividuation; Role of self awareness.

Answer 36

PRENTICE-DUNN & ROGERS (1982)
Deindividuation doesn’t lead to aggression nor does anonymity but due to consequences of anonymity (self-awareness)= private or public.

Private self-awareness; paying attention to our own feelings & behaviour, reduced in a crowd. Attention is focused on events around us so pay less attention to ourselves, less self-critical.

Public self-awareness; how much we care about what other people think of our behaviour. Anonymous & behaviour less likely to be judged by others, less accountable for aggression.

Question 37

Social-psychological explanations of aggression; deindividuation; DODD (1985) anonymity

Answer 37

• psychology teacher asked his students what they would do if they had no responsibility/anonymous

36%- anti-social behaviour
26%- criminal acts (rob a bank)
A few said murder/rape/assassination
9% were prosocial (benefitting people)

• Demonstrates link between anonymity, deindividuation and aggression.

Question 38

Evaluation of Social-psychological explanations of aggression; deindividuation.

Answer 38

strength; research support for Zimbardo’s concept of deindividuation. Rehm (1981), observed games of handball, one team wore the same coloured shirts the other team all had different shirts on. He found that the same coloured shirt team acted more aggressively to the other team. TMB, supports the idea that individuals act more aggressively in a crowd as they feel less restrained by norms & laws and take on shared responsibility. Thus supporting…

strength; real-life applications of deindividuation. Mahn (1981), analysed 21 cases of suicide jumps, 10/21 of the cases involved baiting from a crowd (encouraging the person to jump), however this only occurred during the night and when the baiting group was a far distance from the jumper. TMB, supports anonymity as a factor of deindividuation as baiters had less fear of retribution as they were a small & unidentifiable part of the crowd. Thus supporting…

strength; anthropological evidence to support the concept of deindividuation. Watson (1973), studied warriors from different societies and whether they changed their appearances before going to war. Found that warriors were more likely to be aggressive if they had compared to those who hadn’t. TMB, supports the role of rejecting responsibility through a disguise as a part of deindividuation. Reveals a significant relationship between deindividuation, aggression and warfare. Thus supporting…

limitation; sex differences in response to a deindividuated situation. A psychologist found that when in a deindividuated situation an all-male group showed increased aggression however an all-female group did not. TMB, suggests that not all individuals act aggressively when places in a deindividuated situation but it is much rather down to sex differences. Means that the concept of deindividuation as an explanation of aggression cannot be applied to everyone in the same way. Thus limiting…

Question 39

Institutional aggression in prisons; Situational (environmental) explanation- Deprivation model

Answer 39

Clemners (1958); Deprivation model- suggests that institutional aggression is a result of the stressful & oppressive conditions of the prison, in response to this, inmates act aggressively.

Sykes (1958); specific deprivations which increase violence- loss of liberty, loss of autonomy, loss of security, goods & services and heterosexual relationships.
- some inmates choose to isolate themselves, others choose to rebel.
- institutional aggression influences solely by prison specific variables rather than inmate characteristics (importation model).

Kimmet (2002)- violence a way of surviving risk of exploitation.

Question 40

Institutional aggression in prisons; Situational (environmental) explanation- Role of prison characteristics

Answer 40

COOKE (2008)- need to consider situational context where violence takes place (only violent in certain circumstances).

Overcrowding; Gov report (2014), attributed murder, suicide & assaults to increased overcrowding in British prisons.

Heat & Noise; high nose and temp exacerbates effects of overcrowding & predisposes inmates to aggression.

Job burnout; psychologically worn out & exhausted from a job & loss of caring about the people whom they work with. Linked to development of violence because of deterioration of relationships.

Question 41

Institutional aggression in prisons; Dispositional (characteristics) explanation- The importation model

Answer 41

Irwin & Cressey (1962); claim that inmates bring violent pasts and experiences into the prison and are used as a result of trying to ‘survive’ within the institution.
- prisoners are not ‘blank slates’
- behaviour imported into the prison, helps to navigate unfamiliar situation

Question 42

Institutional aggression in prisons; Dispositional (characteristics) explanation- Gang membership

Answer 42

Allender & Marcell (2003)- gang membership related to anti-social behaviour
- members of a gang involved in more violent acts than non gang-members in prison.

Question 43

Institutional aggression in prisons; Dispositional (characteristics) explanation- Role of dispositional characteristics

Answer 43

Anger, anti-social personality style & impulsivity- Wang & Diamond (1999), found characteristics are stronger predictors of aggression than ethnicity and type of offense. (anger biggest one)

Low self-control- Delisi (2003), found that low self-control, particularly loosing temper easily, significant factor of aggression both before & during incarceration.

Question 44

Evaluation of Institutional aggression in prisons.

Answer 44

strength; research support for the deprivation model. McCorkle (1995), found that situational factors such as overcrowding and lack of meaningful activity influences aggression inmates displayed. TMB, highlights that env factors play a role in aggression of inmates in an institutional setting, and that they only act aggressively in certain circumstances. Thus supporting situational factors exp…

strength; deprivation model can be used to reduce aggression in prisons. For example, if most violence occurs in overheated, noisy and overcrowded environments, then decreasing these factors should reduce aggression. Wilson (2000), did this in a prison and found a large reduction in assaults on prison staff and other inmates. TMB, shows that with research like this, conditions can be improved within institutions to prevent and minimise aggressive behaviour. Thus supporting…

strength; research support for the importation model. Mears (2003), found that a ‘code of the streets’ belief system affects inmate violence. More noticeable in prisoners that lacked family support and were in a gang before imprisoned. TMB, suggests that violent behaviour is brought into the prison and is not a result of the env that they are in, meaning aggression is a result of dispositional factors rather than situational. Thus supporting the claims of the importation model when explaining aggression in institutions.

limitation; Of deprivation model, link between aggression and situational factors has not always been supported by research. A psychologist collected data from American prisons, including importation variables. Found that only importation variables were significant predictors of violence. TMB, suggests that it’s dispositional factors which effect institutional aggression and not prison factors like deprivation model suggest. Thus limiting…

Question 45

Media influences on aggression; the effects of computer games; Experimental Studies

Answer 45

BARTHOLOW & ANDERSON (2002)
- students played violent games (Mortal Kombat) & a non-violent game (Golf) for 10 mins.
- they all carried out the Taylor Competitive Reaction Time Task which blasts white noise at chosen volumes to punish the opponent.
- those who played the violent game selected higher noise levels compared to the non-violent participants.

Question 46

Media influences on aggression; the effects of computer games; Correlational Studies

Answer 46

DELISI (2013)
- 277 Juvenile offenders with serious aggressive behaviours (hitting others/ gang fighting)
- used unstructured interviews, gathered data on several measures of aggression & violent computer game-playing.
- aggressive behaviour correlated with how often they played violent games & how much they enjoyed them.

Question 47

Media influences on aggression; the effects of computer games; Longitudinal Studies

Answer 47

ROBERTSON (2013)
- investigated link between excessive TV viewing in childhood & aggression in adulthood
- 1037 people born in New Zealand (1972-73), measured TV viewing hours at regular intervals up until 26.
- time watching TV was a predictor of aggressive behaviour (convictions & violent crimes).
- most TV watched = diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder.

Question 48

Media influences on aggression; the effects of computer games; Meta Analysis

Answer 48

ANDERSON (2010)
- 136 studies (experimental, correlational & longitudinal)
- violent comp games associated with increased aggressive behaviour, thoughts and feelings.
- true for males & females in individualistic and collectivistic cultures

Question 49

Evaluation of Media influences on aggression; the effects of computer games.

Answer 49

limitation; relationship between media violence & aggression has been overstated. Ferguson (2009) found that relationship between media and aggression is almost 0. TMB, suggests that there are other factors than the media which influence the aggressiveness of individuals. Thus limiting…

limitation; Mastery & game difficulty may be more important variables in causing aggression. Evidence comes from a psychologist who suggested that it is the players experience of frustration due to failure that causes aggression not the actual storyline. Found that in both violent & non-violent games it was difficulty that led to aggression. TMB, shows that the relationship between media and aggression is not as simple as originally thought and that there are intervening variables which aren’t taken into account. Thus limiting…

limitation; issues in methodology. Livingstone (1996) found that most studies are American and have sued male students. The findings from these studies may not generalise to wider populations & cultures. TMB, suggests that violent computer games may not have the same influence of aggression on everyone as it does of the ptps in the studies. Thus limiting…

limitation; issues with measurement of aggression. For example, artificial measures of aggressions like using noise blasts are typically used as dependent variables.. Also, longitudinal studies can measure both short-term and long-term real life aggression but cannot control for exposure to other forms of media violence. TMB, suggests that it is difficult to establish what actually influences aggression and what part of the media impacts aggression. Difficult to establish a measurement of aggressive behaviour as there is no established metrics to use. Thus limiting…

Question 50

Media influences on aggression; Desensitisation, Disinhibition & Cognitive Priming; Desensitisation

Answer 50

• when we see violent actions we experience physical arousal associated with sympathetic nervous system (increased heart rate, sweating, etc.)
• children repeatedly viewing violence in games/TV they become immune to it’s effects
• violent stimulus has a diminishing impact, results in reduction of physical arousal.

FUNK (2004)
- repeated exposure promotes the belief that aggression is socially acceptable.
- neg attitude towards violence weaken, less empathy felt for victims.

WEISZ & EARLS (1995)
- showed ptps a film of rape
- ptps then showed a rape trial
- those who watched film before felt less empathy for victim & less likely to find defendant guilty compared to control group

Question 51

Media influences on aggression; Desensitisation, Disinhibition & Cognitive Priming; Disinhibition

Answer 51

• majority view that aggression is harmful & socially unacceptable
• there are powerful social & psychological inhibitions against using aggressions learned through SLT.
• according to disinhibition, these usual restraints are loosened after exposure to violent media.
• aggressive behaviour often appears as normal in media, and is rewarded (this creates a new social norm for the player/viewer).

Question 52

Media influences on aggression; Desensitisation, Disinhibition & Cognitive Priming; Cognitive Priming

Answer 52

• repeatedly watching violence can provide us with a script of how violent situations may ‘play out’

HUESMANN (1998)
- script is stored in memory & so we come readily aggressive.
- process is automatic & directs behaviour unconsciously
- cues in a situation trigger this

FISHER & GREITEMEYER (2006)
- investigated priming of aggressive scripts in song lyrics.
- male ptps listening aggressive lyrics about women were found to have more negative views about women & behave aggressively to a female confederate.

Question 53

Evaluation of Media influences on aggression; Desensitisation, Disinhibition & Cognitive Priming.

Answer 53

strength; research support for desensitisation. Carnagey (2007), found that playing violent computer games produces physiological desensitisation in the form of reduced physiological arousal. Ptp’s who played violent comp games had lower heart rate and skin conductance compared to those who didn’t when viewing a 10 min clip of real life violence. TMB, suggests that physiological desensitisation can occur following exposure to violent media. Supporting…

strength; research support for cognitive priming. Bushman (1998), found that ptp’s who watched a violent film on had a faster reaction time to aggressive words than those who didn’t watch it. Atkin (1983) also found that increased aggression only resulted when more realistic violence was viewed. TMB, suggests that exposure to media violence primes memories related to aggression, but only if it is realistic and intense.

limitation; effect of disinhibition depends on factors such as individual or context. For example, younger children are more likely to experience this effect as they are less likely to consider the consequences or motives of the behaviour. Also, research found that children within violent homes (experience of physical punishment) are effected greater by disinhibition than children with parents with strong norms against violence. TMB, suggests that disinhibition doesn’t occur following exposure to violent media but rather the exposure the person has had individually. Thus limiting…

limitation; disinhibition less likely to occur where violence has neg consequences. Gordnson (1969), showed people a boxing match, some saw it having a negative consequence where the loser died. He found that those who saw the neg consequence were less likely to display aggressive behaviour than those who didn’t see the loser dying. TMB, suggests that disinhibition may be more likely when the neg consequences of violence are not seen by the viewers and this information can therefore be used to reduce aggression. Thus limiting the use of disinhibition to explain media influences on aggression.