aggression Flashcards
evolutionary explanations of aggression AO1
EVOLUTION- the gradual development of somthing
explains agg as as form of SEXUAL JEALOUSY- caused by the threat of infidelity and agg that stems from this more likely to be displayed in males
when sexual infielity occurs from females, it casts doubt over paternal certainty
males agg to males due to sexual competition- ant to attract women so their genes pass on
males agg to females- threat of infidelity an cuckoldry- would limit chance of reproduction
ancestors used agg for survival and also to increase chances of reproduction- survival of fittest- agg shown to warn off rivals, show dominance and status to attract females and avoid cuckoldry (when a female commits sexual infidelity)
research has outlined the evolution of mate retention strategies e.g. direct guarding and negative inducements
evolutionary explanations of aggression AO3
(-) lack of temporal validity- outdated, could be seen as justifying domestic violence, law against domestic violence changed in recent years- explanation could be seen to suggest there is evolutionary evidence to justify agg in relationships
(-) focuses on agg in males rather than in females as well
(-) ethical issues- socially sensitive- suggests agg is somewhat axcuseable, consequences within legal system- brings question of credibility of theory and should not be released int public domain
neural and hormonal mechanisms in agression AO1
NEURAL MECHANISMS- hormonal mechanisms are how chemical messengers influence the body
LIMBIC SYSTEM- set of neural structues in centre of brain- amygdala- linked to production of agg behaviour, amygdala/hypothalamus identified as emotional centre of brain, fMRI shows increased amygdala activity in agg ppts,OFC= rational decision maker in brain- regulates agg from limbic system
SEROTONIN- inhibitory calming effect on brain- serotonin deficiency hypothesis suggests lower than normal levels of serotonin in orbifrontal cortex result in less self control
TESTOSTERONE- males more agg on average, they have 8x the level on the hormone than females- high levels may lower activity in the OFC and reduce serotonins calming effect
neural and hormonal mechanisms in agg AO3
(+) replicable and controlled lab studies usingobjective scientific measurements rather than self report techniques
(+) egger- electrically stimulating cats hypothalamus caused agg behaviour, stimulating part of amygdala increased agg. stimulating diff part of amygdala resulted in tameness
(-) bio reductionism- minimises role of more complex eplanations such as slt, cognitions and culture on agg
(-) social sensitivity- if ppl can be identified as potentially agg by bio test they may be persecuted
genetic factors in agg AO1
agg is innate- claims genetic abnormalities (genotypes) result in biological changes leading to agg (phenotype)
genetic origins of behaviours like agg often identified by looking at concordance rate of related groups of ppl, higher if close (MZ twins)
adoption studies used to seperate environmental and bioloical factors
MAOA gene- short variant gene has been linked w agg (warrior gene)- reduces the amount of MAOA (an enzyme that breaksdown serotonin)- leads to more serotonin active in brain
environmental effect of child abuse needs to present before expression of MAOA-L
XXY gene variant thought to create ‘supermales’ taller, low in empathy and high agg
genetics also influence amount of testosterone produced in body- linked to agg
genetic factors in agg AO3
(+/-) many studies on agg artificial/ self reported
(-) idea of MAOA influencing agg originally found in animal studies
(+) MAOA might explain gender diffs in agg- MAOA linked to x chromosome- women have 2 men have - men more likely to inherit
ethological explanation of agg AO1
ethology- scientific study of aniaml behaviour- believe certain behaviours inherited and therefore innate
studies innate agg behaviour
suggests agg is not learned and i adaptive in order for survival but also for dominance
outlines that IRM (brain process) is triggered by a stimulus and then results in a Fixed Action Pattern (sequence of automatic behaviour)
believes that the agg behaviour is ritualistic- illustrated through fish study- IRM triggered by red spot on the underbelly of male stickleback fish which the triggers agg behaviours- automatic/innate- hasnt been learned- helps w survival and asserts dominance
ethological explanation of agg AO3
(-) cant explain cultural diffs in aggression
(-) relies on animal studies
(-) nature not nurture- focuses on innate behaviour, ignores envionmental
social psychological explanations og agg
frustration-aggression hypothesis: psychodynamic theory, frustration builds up causing mental tension, when released as agg, results in pleasant feeling of relief (catharsis), agg is more likely if it removes a barrier or gets person closer to goal, agg is displaced to weaker target if cause is too powerful
social learning theory: cog/behavioural theory, agg is learnt through observation and modelling/imitating of models, if see reward for agg= vicarious reinforcement, 4 mediational processes- attention, retention, motor reproduction and motivation
deindividuation: being in a crowd reduces private (personal values) and public (others opinions) self awareness- results in less personal control of actions, less feelings of moral responsibility and reduced inhibiions- more likely to go along w crowd and not feel responsible for actions (agg)
institutional agg AO1
acts of agg more likely in prison due to personality or environment
dispositional- social past and traits affect behaviour in prison- ‘importation model’- e.g. alcohol and drug addiction, gang membership. usually incarcerated due to aggressive acts. violence could be instrumental (premeditated), settle scores w gangs, gain status or deter violence via fear. bio factors= testosterone. helped through drug rehabilitation, counselling and education programs
situational- prison management/design leads to agg behaviour, e.g. overcrowding, access to weapons, lack of entertainment and prison layout, lack of hetrosexual relationships, freddom and safety= fear, frustration, resentment and stress- leads to expressive violence- can be dealt with through officer training and improving design
institutional agg AO3
(+/-) zimbardo- situational but not dispositional
(=) real life app
(-) socially sensituve
media influences in agg AO1
mdeia influence- increases agg i viewers through slt processes and demonstrates agg can be justified
computer games- exposure to violent videogames- vicariously reinforced through praise and rewards for agg- catharsis
desensitisation- repeated exposure to violence through media e.g. films and computer games which leads to viewer having reduced emotional reactions to violence e.g. revulsion- easier for them t be aggresive to others
disinhibition- agg is usually inhibited in early socialisation. agg in movies justfied (revenge) so may reduce restraints surrounding agg and alter viws moral decsion making process
cognitive priming- tv and computer games can provide social cues/ schemas on how to behave. if similar situation occurs as seen on tv- acts as priming stimuli and leads to same agg behaviour as viewed .
media influences in agg AO3
(+) real life app- age ratings
(-) lacksface validiity- hasnt been drastc increase in agg w popularity of violent video games
(-) correlational
