Aggression

Question 1

The role of the neural system in aggression - limbic system

Answer 1

Network of subcortial structures in the brain (hypothalumus, hippocampus, thalamus and amygdala).

Its associated with emotional behaviour

Amygdala - how an organism addresses and responds to threats and challenges

Question 2

The role of the neural system in aggression - limbic system supporting study

Answer 2

Gospic - lab ex, 2 players game. Proposer offers to split money in a certain way with responder.
Responder accepts = money split
Responder refuse = nothing
PPs responded whilst brains scanned using FMRI. When responder rejected unfair offers (aggressive reaction to social provocation) scans showed fast response in amygdala

Question 3

The role of the neural system in aggression - serotonin

Answer 3

Slows down and dampens neural activity. Decreased serotonin disturbs the self regulation mechanism. Causes reduced self control which increases impulsive behaviour

Question 4

The role of the neural system in aggression - serotonin supporting study

Answer 4

Virkunnen - took cerebrospinal fluid from violent offenders and found low serotonin levels

Question 5

The role of the hormonal system in aggression - Testosterone

Answer 5

Male sex hormone

Question 6

The role of the hormonal system in aggression - Testosterone supporting study

Answer 6

Wagner found that when a male was castrated, aggression levels decreased. Then if they recieved a testosterone shot, increased again

Question 7

The role of the hormonal system in aggression- Progesterone

Answer 7

Female hormone where levels are low at certain points of the menstrual cycle

low levels = high aggression

Question 8

Whats the suporting evidence for the role of the amygdala in aggression

Answer 8

Gospic used fMRI scanner to measure brain actviity of pps in a competitive lab based game that porvoked aggression.

Scans show heightened and faster levels of aggression in the amygdala when aggressive reactions were given, showing association between the two

HOWEVER, association doesnt show cause and effect

Question 9

What evidence shows mixed results in the role of testosterone on aggression

Answer 9

dual hormone hypothesis claims that high testerone levels only cause aggression when cortisol levels are low. high cortisol levels block the influence of testosterone on aggression. Therefore a combined apporach may be better to understand

Question 10

What is an issue with the correlational data used in the neural/hormonal explanations

Answer 10

Diffilcut to find appropriate alternatives that are ethical with human subjects. Animals used instead raise issue of generalising findings to human aggression.
Also research identifying links between agression and serotonin oversimplies true process as other factors that influence it are overlooked

Question 11

The role of twin studies in genetic explanation of aggression and what study supports it

Answer 11

MZ and DZ twins suggest heritability accounts for 50% of variance in aggression

Cocaro found 50% concordance rate in aggression for MZ twins and 19% for DZ twins

Question 12

The role of adoption studies in genetic explanation of aggression and what study supports it

Answer 12

Hutchings conducted 1400 adoptions in a Denmark study. Significant number of adopted boys with criminal convictions had bio parents with criminal convictions

Question 13

The role of MAOA gene in genetic explnataions of aggression and what study supports it

Answer 13

Codes for an enzyme that normally deactivates neurotransmitters

MAOA-L (warrior gene) causes low activity of enzyme and associated with aggression

Brunner studied 28 men from a large dutch family who were repeatedly involved in impulsive aggressive violent criminal behaviours such as rape and attempted murder and found MAOA -L gene

Question 14

Supporting evidence for the role of genetic factors in aggression (twin studies)

Answer 14

Coccarro studied male DZ and MZ twins and found physical aggression concordance rates of 50% for `MZ and 19% for DZ

shows strong support for genetic influences as those with greater genetic similarity had a greater concordance rate, however as they’re not 100% there must be other factors involved

Question 15

Issues with variation between how genetic studies for aggression are conducted

Answer 15

A study conducted a meta analysis of 50 twin and adoption studies and found aggressive and anti social behaviours was largely due to genetic conditions, however this was only the case in self report method or interviews with parents/teachers.
Makes it difficult to draw valid conclusions as there could be many variables that affect the accuracy of the data

Question 16

Lack of validity in twin studies supporting genetic factors of aggression

Answer 16

In every twin study, both individuals share the same environment as each other as they are raised together. However, dz twins may not share the same environment to the same extent as mz twins , however we assume that they d. this assumption may be wrong as one aspect of the environment is the way twins are treated by others. MZ twins are treated very similarly, especially by parents whilst dz are treated in less similar ways. This means concordance rates are inflated and genetic influences may not be as strong as twin studies suggests

Question 17

What does the ethological explanation mean for aggression

Answer 17

Defeated animals rarely kill but spread over a wider area, reducing competition for resources

Question 18

Ritualistic aggression in the ethological explanation of aggression

Answer 18

Most aggressive encounters between animals involve signaling and displaying.

Threat displays - showing teeth/growling
Appeasement gestures - hands up/backing up

Innate releasing mechanism - triggered by environmental stimulus

Fixed action patterns - sequence of behaviours released by an IRM (unchanging and universal)

Question 19

Tinbergans study supporting the ethological explanation

Answer 19

Male sticklebacks develop red spots on their underbelly in mating season
If another male enters their territory, a sequence of (FAP)highly stereotyped aggressive behaviours are initiated. Sticklebacks presented with a series of wooden models with red spots on their underbelly
Regardless of shape, sticklebacks aggressively display and attack

Question 20

What supporting evidence is there for the ethological explanation of aggression that its innate

Answer 20

Brunner found the MAOA low varient gene was closely associated with aggressive behaviour in animals which indicates a bioloical cause. Also the amygdala showing activity triggering aggression is an example of an innate releasing mechanism.

Question 21

What cultural differences are there in the ethological explanation for aggression

Answer 21

differences in aggression in white males in the south US and north US were found when insulted in a reseach situation. differences were caused by cultural variations such as the culture of honour which is a social norm in the south

Question 22

What is the issue with extrapolating fidnings from animals to humans in the ethological explanation of aggression

Answer 22

e.g. Tinbergans study raises issues with using findings from fish to apply to human behaviour, despite the study being well standardised/controlled. Therefore should be cautious when considering complex behaviour such as aggression

Question 23

Male aggression in the evolutionary explanation of aggression

Answer 23

Men are worried about their partner commiting infidelity. Unlike women, men cant be certain they have parented a child (paternity uncertainty)

Cuckoldry : raising children that arent bioloigcally your own is a waste of your resources

Question 24

What did Wilson and Daley say in the evolutionary explanation of aggression

Answer 24

Used a survey. Women who reported more jealous partners were 2x more liekly to be victims of domestic abuse. 70% of women required medical attention afterwards

Mate retention strategys : using violence to stop a female from straying

e.g. direct guarding : overviligence of partners behaviours

negative inducements : threats of negative consequences

Question 25

Bullying as an evolutionary explanation of aggression

Answer 25

Bullying is adaptive as an evolutionary advantage. Enhances your image, which increases self estee and therefore higher chance of reproduction.

Volk suggested that in the past, characteristics of a male bully would be attractive to opposite sex in the past. Suggests strength and ability to provide protection. Therefore this behaviour is naturally selected as it wards off rivalry and increases chance of reproduction.

Question 26

Research evidence to support the evolutionary explanation of aggression

Answer 26

Many studies show mate retention strategies are associated with jealousy and aggression. A study suggested that direct guarding and negative inducements are most commonly used by males against females and other males. Suggests that the high risk of infidelity, cuckoldry and aggression are linked

Question 27

How does the evolutionary explanation for aggression address gender differences

Answer 27

Males engage in aggressive behaviour more often that females, especially physical aggression. Psychologist suggested that aggression in females would carry a risk to their offsprings survival so therefore the use of verbal aggression would be a more adaptive strategy. As gender differences can be explained with this explanation, the validity of it is increased.

Question 28

How is the evolutionary explanation of aggression challenged by cultural differences

Answer 28

This explanation suggests aggression will be present in all cultures due its evolutionary nature to increase the chance of reproduction. however some cultures are heavily against aggression and displaying such behaviour could result in individuals losing

Question 29

What is the real world application of the evolutionary explanation of aggression

Answer 29

addresses a bullies perceived deficiencies (assuming they bully as they feel inferior). For example, by giving bullies roles and responsibilities in school that provide an alternate source of status, the desire to bully disapears. Also can be used to aid people in watching out for mate retention strategies to avoid aggressive behaviours

Question 30

Institutional aggression -Importation model

Answer 30

Aggression occurs as a result of situational factors (individual personalities) e.g. characteristics that the prisoner brings to the prison

Bring their norms, values and experiences that affect their behaviour into the institution

Inmates import these characteristics to negotiate their way through unfamiliar and frightening prison environments.

Delisi - studied juvenile offenders and compared to inmates who didn’t have negative backgrounds. Negative ones more likely to participate in suicidal activity and aggression

Question 31

Insitutional aggression - deprivation model

Answer 31

Aggression occurs due to situational factors (internal within prison)

Harsh conditions are stressful for inmates who cope by resorting to aggressive behaviours

psychological factors -deprived of freedom, independence and heterosexual intimacy

physical factors - deprived of material goods

Steiner investigated factors predicting aggression in 500 prisons. Inmate on inmate violence higher in prisons with more female staff, overcrowding and more protective custody inmates

Question 32

What supports the importation model for institutional aggression

Answer 32

A study found that in 4 different institutions, pre institutional violence was the best predictor of inmate aggression regardless of the features of the institution. Suggests aggression is brought into the institution by offenders.

Question 33

How does the importation model not take into account situational factors for institutional aggression

Answer 33

such as that inmates are frustrated by lack of freedom, choice and deprivation of family relationships.
Also does not take into account factors such as racism which trigger violent behaviours

Also could be due to prisoners feeling unsafe, and showing aggression is a strategy to ward off other prisoners, therefore making aggression an attempt for a prisoner to feel secure

Question 34

How does research into insitutional aggression provide real world application

Answer 34

Most violence occurs in noisy, overcrowded and over heated environments. Changes to such deprived environments would dramatically reduce violent behaviour. This was done at HMP Woodhill prison where they found assaults on prison staff and other inmates were eradicated, providing powerful support for the role of situational variables

Question 35

Role of cognitive priming on media influences

Answer 35

media provides us with a script from viewing repeated experineces of aggressive behaviour about how violent situations play out

Once a child has learnt a script and committed it to memory, its used to define situations and guide how to behave if a similar situation arises

Question 36

Role of desensitisation in media influences of aggression

Answer 36

Diminished psychological responce to its effects so a usually adverse stimulus has less impact

Weisz and Earls stated males showed higher accpetance of rape myths after viewing straw dogs and watching a mock rape trial

Question 37

Role of disinhibition in media influences on aggression

Answer 37

Aggressive behaviour becomes normalised and norms governing our behaviour become altered to acceptance

Question 38

Real world application of cognitive priming as a media influence on aggression

Answer 38

Someone who watches more violent media accesses stored aggressive scripts more readily, and therefore are more likely to interpret cues in the real world as aggressive and resort to a more violent solution. This raises possibility that effective interventions such as by challenging hostile scripts and offering alternatives to violent media such as humorous media could reduce aggressive behaviour.

Question 39

Supporting evidence for the role of disinhibtion for media influences on aggression

Answer 39

Someone who watches more violent media accesses stored aggressive scripts more readily, and therefore are more likely to interpret cues in the real world as aggressive and resort to a more violent solution. This raises possibility that effective interventions such as by challenging hostile scripts and offering alternatives to violent media such as humorous media could reduce aggressive behaviour.

Question 40

Supporting evidence for the role of cognitive priming for media influences on aggression

Answer 40

A study investigated song lyrics as a form of media violence and how they cognitively prime. Male pps listened to songs featuring aggressively derogatory lyrics about women and behaved more aggressively to a female confederate

Question 41

Supporting evidence for the role of desensitisation for media influences on aggression

Answer 41

continuation of Weisz and Earls. After viewing the film, pps filled out a 250 item questionnaire measuring their acceptance of inter personal violence and acceptance of rape myths. Then viewed re enactments of a rape trial and completed a 23 item questionaire and found pps showed a greater acceptance
However, can be argued it lacks validity due to it being a self report method

Question 42

Experimental findings of effects of computer games on aggression

Answer 42

Bartholomew and Anderson

Students played either mortal kpmbat or tournament golf for 10 minutes.

Then carried out the Taylor competitive reaction time tasks which involved blasts of white noise to punish opponent

Players of violent games = delivered significantly higher noise levels compared to non violent.

Question 43

Meta analysis findings of effects of computer games on aggression

Answer 43

Anderson performed a meta analysis of 136 studies which included all methodologies

Exposure to violent computer games associated with increased aggressive behaviour

TRue for both female and male and across all collectivist/individualist cultures

Question 44

Longitudinal findings of effects of computer games on aggression

Answer 44

Robertson

investigated if there’s a link between excessive tv watching and aggressive adult behaviour

Studied 100 people in New Zealand in 172-73. Measured tv viewing hours at regular intervals up to age 26

Found time spent watching tv was reliable predictor of aggression in adulthood

Question 45

Corellational findings of effects of computer games on aggression

Answer 45

Delisi

studied 200 juvenile offenders, all with histories of serious aggressive behaviours such as hitting a parent or teacher

Using structured interviews, gathered data of several measures of aggression and violent computer game playing

Found offenders aggressive behaviour correlated with how often they played violent video games

Question 46

Why is the fact that theres less research into the effects of long term exposure to video games on aggression an issue

Answer 46

Therefore the long term effects appear to be speculative. As there is also evidence suggesting there’s also benefits to computer game use, the concern in using them may be misplaced. Further lab or longitudinal research is required to investigate . Further research should also include larger samples such as children from different socio economic backgrounds

Question 47

Why is it an issue that correlations are used to show effects of video games on aggression

Answer 47

can’t show cause and effect.

IT could be argued that instead of young people exhibiting more aggressive behaviour as a result of video games, that aggressive individuals play these sorts of games because they appeal to their nature. Research suggests people with more aggressive personalities engage more in aggressive games, but the same game can present different content to different players

Question 48

Why is it an issue that the difference between violent and non violent games is hard to distinguish on their effect on aggression

Answer 48

Many studies use games that aren’t particularly different to each other to compare violent and non violent games. Violence is subjective to what an individual counts as aggressive behaviour. Furthermore, studies dont match violent and non violent games on factors such as excitement or frustration, therefore violence may not be the sole factor leading to the effects of aggression

Question 49

frustration aggression hypothesis as a social psychological explanation of aggression

Answer 49

Aggression is a result of frustration, and the existence of frustration always leads to aggression

Indirect expression= sometimes we cannot express aggression directly against the source of our frustration, so its directed onto a weaker and available alternative. This can be because: frustration may be abstract, may be too powerful and risks punishment or may be unavailable at the time.

Kulik and brown: told pps they could earn money by telephoning people and persuading them to donate money to charity
Some pps were led to expect a higher response rate, whilst others were told to expect no donations. Unknown to pps, respondents were all confederates who were not donating

Findings: high expectations = greater aggression than those with low expectation such as slamming the phone down or being rude

Berkowitz: pps gave more electric shocks to confederates with guns were present in an experimental situation

Negative effect hypothesis - anger is converted into aggression if theres an environmental stimulus present when angry thats associated with a frustrating object or person

Weapons effect - frustration creates readiness to be aggressive but presence of aggressive cues make aggression more likely

Question 50

Supporting evidence for the FA hypothesis for social psychological exp of aggression

Answer 50

A meta analysis of 49 studies were carried out on displaced aggression. It was found that pps who were provoked but unable to retaliate directly against source of frustration were significantly more likely to address an innocent party than those not provoked. Suggests displaced aggression is a reliable phenomenon that supports this hypothesis

Question 51

whats a limitation that frustration doesnt always result in aggression for the FA hypothesis for social psychological explanations of aggression

Answer 51

This led Berkowitz to propose the negative affect hypothesis that argues frustration only produces anger when there’s an environmental stimulus present that is associated with a frustrating person or object. This suggests the original hypothesis may be too simplistic

Question 52

What study shows that the FA hypothesis is too simplistic as a social psychological explanation of aggression

Answer 52

PPs who were more frustrated by a researcher for a trivial reason were more likely to react aggressively than those who were frustrated by a researcher for a valid reason. However both groups produced more aggression than a control group. Suggests that some forms of frustration are more likely than others to trigger an aggressive response

Question 53

SLT as an explanation of the social psychological exp for aggression

Answer 53

Aggression is learnt through observing and imitating social roles

observational learning: child works out how aggressive behaviours are performed and also consequences

Vicarious punishment : child observes model getting punished, therefore won’t copy

Cognitive conditions for observational learning to take place: Attention, retention, reproduction and motivation

Question 54

Banduras research supporting SLT as a social psychological explanation for aggression

Answer 54

Aim: to investigate whether children imitate role models

Procedure:
condition 1- children watched an adult either behave aggresively towards a bobo doll or behave non aggressively
findings werre that observation of aggression led to more aggressive children

Condition 2- children saw an adult who was either rewarded, punished or neither of the two
findings were that observation of adults being rewarded for aggressive behaviour saw children being more aggressive

also found that boys were more aggressive than girl, especially with male models

Question 55

Strengths of SLT research for the social psychological exp for aggression

Answer 55

conducted in controlled conditions. This meant he could manipulate the IV whilst controlling confounding variables. This allows him to establish that SLT processes may cause aggressive behaviour. However, these studies are unlike real world social learning situations that create ideal testing conditions which dont exist in reality. There are also demand characteristics such as the Bobo doll being designed to be hit

Question 56

Limitations of SLT research for the social psychological exp for aggression

Answer 56

underestimates the influence of biological factors. Bandura clearly states the form aggression takes is primarily learned and is the outcome of nurture. However its well established that theres powerful genetic, evolutionary, hormonal and neural influences on aggression. SLT barely acknowledges these and certainly doesnt explain them. Therefore, SLT is an incomplete explanation of aggression because it underplays the role of biological factors

Question 57

Real world application of SLT for social psychological explanation of aggression

Answer 57

It was found that parents who modelled aggression by punishing the children physically also directly reinforced the children’s aggression by giving into tantrums. When taught effective discipline techniques and positive reinforcement of good behaviour, the parents reported techniques as being extremely effective in reducing aggressive behaviour. Demonstrates the behaviour of SLT

Question 58

Deindividuation for social psychological explanations of aggression

Answer 58

Process of decreased self awareness in situations where identification is difficult.

Increased anonymity: normal behaviour constraints are weakened when a person loses individuality

Zimbardo prison experiment: deindividuation allowed prisoners to act in ways they would usually consider antisocial

Deiner: naturalistic observations of 1300 US trick or treating children. When in big groups and costumes they are more likely to steal money or sweets.

Question 59

real world application of deindividuation for social psychological explanations of aggression

Answer 59

It can explain the aggression of “baiting crowds”. Leo mann investigated individuals of suicidal jumpers. Identified 21 cases reported in US newspapers of a crowd gathering to bait a jumper (encouraging them to jump) tended to occur in darkness, large crowds and jumpers high up from the crowd. Leads to de individuation validity in ideology that a large group can become aggressive

Question 60

Limitation that deindividuation doesnt always result in aggression

Answer 60

In Gergen, a group of 8 students were placed in a completely darkened room for one hour. They were told to do whatever they wanted and they couldn’t identify each other and would never meet.

They quickly stopped talking and started kissing and touching each other intimately.

In a second study, pps came face to face afterwards and the amount of kissing/touching was much lower.