Aggression Flashcards

Question

AO3 Outline one weakness of the genetic explanations for aggression (Measuring aggression)

Answer 1

One weakness of the genetic explanation of aggression is that some of the supporting research lacks validity. For example, meta-analysis data from both twin and adoption studies have come from self-report methods, parent/teacher reports (which are both secondary data sources) and some direct observations. This is problematic because the methods used to study aggression are not reliable. Not only this, self report methods have the issue of social desirability bias as people may be dishonest when speaking about their involvement in aggressive behaviour as it maybe socially sensitive. This means the overall findings that come from such studies may not be entirely accurate or valid, thus weaking acceptance of the biological explanation of aggression

Answer 2

One strength of the genetic explanations of aggression is that there is research support for the role of the low activity MAOA gene from animal research. For example, Cases et al found that when the MAOA gene in the X chromosome of mice was disabled, make mice became highly aggressive. This is what coincides with the genetic explanation of aggression, thus strengthening acceptance of the theory. However, it is difficult to extrapolate the findings from animals and then apply them to humans. Humans are much more physiologically and cognitively developed than animals and we have a far more developed Pre-frontal cortex than animals. Therefore, we should accept research from animals with caution as they may not be fully applicable to understanding human aggression on a deeper level

Answer 3

The role of genetic factors in aggression is a reductionist argument as it appears there may be more than just once gene linked to aggressive behaviour. For example, Stuart et al studied males who were involved in IPV and found that aggression was not only linked to MAOA gene activity but also the 5HHT serotonin transporter gene. This research undermines the original explanation which suggests a low activity MAOA gene is solely responsible for aggressive behaviour, as it appears aggression is far more complex and must be explained through multiple genetic factors. Therefore this weakens acceptance of the genetic explanations of aggression as it undermines the role of other genes in aggression.

Answer 4

-The environment can also affect how likely someone is to act aggressively -Not all people who carry the short allele of the MAOA gene display aggressive behaviour -There are other factors which contribute to aggression.

Answer 5

It sends information stored in our memory to the amygdala.

Answer 6

It inhibits neurons in the amygdala -The amygdala keeps sending impulses to the hypothalamus. -The brain continues to produce aggressive behaviour.

Answer 7

-Serotonin inhibits neurons in the amygdala -Serotonin reduces aggressive behaviour

Answer 8

Sumer et al conducted a case study of a 14-year-old girl who had begun to display excessive aggression. The researchers carried out a/an MRI scan which showed a tumour on the girl’s amygdala, causing it to be more active and send more nerve impulses to the hypothalamus. This increased her aggression.

Answer 9

-Before the amygdalotomy, the patients had excessive activity in their amygdala -Before the surgery, the patients were displaying high levels of aggression -The amygdalotomies reduced aggression in the patients by 33-100%

Answer 10

While some studies have found that a damaged amygdala is associated with a decrease in aggression, others have reported an increase in aggression. This suggests that the role of the amygdala might differ depending on the sub-region of the amygdala and the role of the amygdala may be more complicated than first thought.

Answer 11

-Ethology refers to the study of an animal in its natural setting -Suggests aggression is an instinct, it occurs in all members of species WITHOUT NEED FOR LEARNING -Aggression is required for survival -Aggression is adaptive meaning it aid survival in the animal kingdom -Any species that is aggressive can reproduce and pass on genes to their offspring -Aggression allows a species to survive because a 'defeated' species is rarely killed but rather is forces to establish territory elsewhere -This means that members of a species spread out over a wider area and have to discover resources in a different place which reduces competition pressure and possibility of starvation Function 2: -Aggression helps us establish dominance hierarchies, thereby giving access to territory, resources and mates -Aggression would then be naturally selected

Answer 12

-Lorenz's early observation of fights between animals of the same species showed very little physical damage was done -Most aggressive encounters consisted mainly of a period of ritualistic signals: Threat displays and appeasement gestures -Such ritualistic behaviours are adaptive because if every aggressive encounter ended with death, it could threaten the existence of the species -Threat displays are intended to make the opponent back down and are the last step before the animal either fights, submits or leaves

Answer 13

-Network of neurons in the brain which responds to threats in the environment in the form of aggression/aggressive behaviour -An environmental stimulus (e.g. facial expression) triggers the IRM which then 'releases' a specific sequence of behaviours -This behavioural sequence is called a fixed action pattern (FAP). FAP has 6 main stages: 1) Stereotyped - Relatively unchanged sequence of behaviours 2) Universal - The same behaviours found in every individual 3) Unaffected by learning - The same for every individual regardless of experience 4) Ballistic - Once the behaviour is triggered it follows an inevitable course 5) Single purpose - behaviours occur in a specific situation and no other 6) Responsive - A response to a specific sign stimulus from a member of the same species

Answer 14

-Sticklebacks are highly territorial and aggressive (develop a red spot on their underbellies due to mating season itself) -If another male enters their territory, FAP is shown. The 'sign' stimulus that triggers the innate releasing mechanism is the sight of the red spot -Tinbergen presented the sticklebacks with a series of wooden models of different shapes. -Regardless of shape, if the wooden model had a red spot then the stickleback would aggressively display behaviours and even attack it, but if there was no red spot, there was no aggression -Tinbergen also found that these aggressive FAP's were unchanging from one encounter to another. Once triggered, the FAP always ran its course to completion

Answer 15

One weakness of the Ethological explanations of aggression is that it is not entirely valid to make generalisations from animal to human aggression without evidence. For example, Lorenz and Tinbergen assumed that the behaviour they observed in birds and fish must also be the same for humans. Therefore, aggression must be instinctive and innate in humans too. This suggests we should be extremely cautious about making generalisations, especially to a behaviour (such as warfare) which is extremely complex and the outcome of many interacting influences, including things like; learning personality factors and power. Humans are more emotionally complex than animals, which isn't accounted for these explanations. Therefore this weakens acceptance overall because it may not be appropriate to apply animal aggression to human aggression.

Answer 16

One weakness of the ethological explanations is that behaviours may have more environmental influence than was first suggested. This is confirmed by the fact ethologists increasingly accept that FAP's are flexible and being gradually replaced by modal action patterns (MAP's). It has been found that the duration of each aggressive behaviour varies from one individual to another. Research suggests there are small differences between the members of the same species in relation to aggression suggesting they are not fixed as Lorenz suggested. The flexibility of FAP's may imply that aggressive behaviour can be learned or area at least affected by environmental learning, thus weakening acceptance of the ethological explanations as they dont account for this learning aspect

Answer 17

One weakness of the ethological explanations of aggression is that aggression is not always self limiting like the theory always suggests. For example, aggression does lead to harmful behaviour within a species. Male chimpanzees in one group set about strategically killing all members of another group of chimpanzees, doing so in a co-ordinated and pre-meditated fashion. Violence continued despite signs of appeasement and defencelessness. This is strong evidence to go against the ethological explanations which suggest aggression is adaptive as a mechanism to promote survival, therefore weakening our acceptance of the ethological explanations when explaining aggression

Answer 18

They assume that the environment will have the same impact on the behaviour of both monozygotic and dizygotic twins.

Answer 19

There is supporting research for the innate basis of aggression in humans and non-human animals. For example, the existence of the 'innate releasing mechanism' linked to aggression and threat detection in humans/animals is the limbic system (amygdala reacts to threatening stimuli and predicts aggressive behaviour). This supports a central prediction of the ethological explanations: aggression is genetic and physiological. Such research supports the genetic and physiological basis of aggression that ethologists predicts, thus supporting the notion that aggression is biologically predetermined, thus strengthening acceptance overall

Answer 20

In 1975, Hutching and Mednick looked at a large sample of adopted boys, who all displayed criminal behaviour. They compared these children to a similar group of adopted children who didn’t display criminal behaviour. Then, for both groups of children, the researchers investigated how many of them had biological parents who displayed criminal behaviour. They found that the children who’d displayed criminal behaviour were significantly more likely to have biological parents who displayed criminal behaviour than the children who didn’t display criminal behaviour.

Answer 21

-Men fear physical infidelity more because it may lead to raising a child that isnt theirs -More likely to engage in physical aggression -Promoting a competitor's genes, and wasting their resources on a child which isnt theirs, this goes against ones own evolution. Could lead to cuckoldry as men are never entirely sure if they are the father of the child. -If a man senses sexual infidelity, it triggers an alarm which evokes envy -Males have developed mate retention strategies; direct guarding and negative inducement. Direct guarding: Ensuring women cant cheat and Negative inducement: making or acting on physical threats

Answer 22

-Women fear emotional infidelity from their partners -Women need to find a father who is willing to invest his resources, time and care -If a father is emotionally attached to someone else, there is a fear he will spend his resources, protection and time on them -This loss can effect her child's survival chances and therefore causes jealously

Answer 23

WILSON AND DALY: -Self report method -Women who report mate retention strategies from their partners were two times as likely to have suffered physical violence at the hands of their partner -Indicates mate retention strategies involve physical violence and aggression Studies of IPV in couples found a strong positive correlation between men's report of their mate retention strategies and a women's report of their partner's physical violence

Answer 24

-Bullying is a power imbalance in which a stronger individual uses aggression repeatedly against a weaker person -Male aggression ---> dominance power ---> over other males is advantageous -Increases access to females and reduces threats from other males. It suggests dominance, acquisition of resources, strength wards off potential rivals, thus increasing chances of genes being passed onto next generation. Reproductive success indicates that aggression was naturally selected -In women, bullying behaviour helps secure a partner's fidelity which means the partner continues to provide resources for future offspring, again such behaviour would be naturally selected because it enhanced the women's reproductive success

Answer 25

Self report studies have found that primary cause of physical aggression was extreme jealousy from the husband. The research supports that aggression is an adaptive trait as aggression is motivated by fear and cuckoldry and potential of wasting time and resources. This is what coincides with the evolutionary explanations of aggression. Aggressive traits have evolved to ensure and promote a males chances of passing on his own genes and not somebody else's. Therefore the supporting research strengthens acceptance of the evolutionary explanations.

Answer 26

One weakness is that the theory ignores the the role of environment on aggression For example, Prinz argued that gender differences in aggression are caused by differences in the way that girls and boys are taught by parents. E.g. Research found that boys are more likely to be hit when they are disciplined by their parents and girls are more likely to be given an explanation to why what they did is wrong, meaning later on in life, boys deem fit to use more physical violence as aggression compared to women. Girls are taught by social norms that it is not fitting of them to use physical violence This may explain gender differences in aggression better than the evolutionary explanation, and the evolutionary explanation ignores this, thus weakening acceptance of the evolutionary explanations of aggression

Answer 27

One limitation of much of the research support is based on self report methods which are mostly correlational. For example, the supporting research into IPV used a self report questionnaire to gather data. This is a limitation because the ppts may not have accurate data due to social desirability and reconstructive memory or because the area is socially sensitive. Furthermore the data is correlational which suggests we cant establish cause and effect between the two variables. Therefore this weakens our acceptance of the evolutionary explanations because the supporting research may be inaccurate and its cant help us establish causal relationships.

Answer 28

A second limitation of the evolutionary explanation of aggression is that it can be accused of alpha gender bias; the explanation overexaggerates the differences in aggression between men and women, stating that men are all aggressive and jealous, whereas women are not aggressive.

Answer 29

One weakness of the evolutionary explanations of aggression is that it may be cultural differences which challenge the notion that aggression is a universal trait For example, the Kung San people discourage aggression and those who use it lose status and reputation in their culture. Conversely, the Yanomamo in Venezuela use aggression to gain status in their structured society. The fact that these two different groups have such different experiences, attitudes and views regarding aggression, indicates the behaviour may not be universal, contrary to evolutionary theory. This suggests that aggression is in part socially learnt and the evolutionary approach suggests to explain how social customs can override innate influences

Answer 30

One strength of the evolutionary explanation of aggression is that it can explain different types of aggression strategies between males and females The purpose for both males and females is the same, to ensure their fidelity However, the theory explains the differences between the two genders. It suggests males and females have adapted the methods in which they use aggression each to suit their own evolutionary needs and ultimate survival Therefore this suggests the theory is detailed in explaining these differences, thus strengthening our acceptance of it to explain aggression.

Answer 31

One strength of the theory is that there is supporting research. For example Buss et al found that 51% of males feared sexual infidelity more than emotional infidelity compared to only 22% of women fearing sexual infidelity more than emotional infidelity. The theory suggests men fear sexual infidelity more than women as it would mean they are wasting their resources on a competitor's offspring, weakening the chances of promoting their own offspring. Therefore, this supporting research coincides with the theory, thus indicating the key concepts of the theory are valid, strengthening acceptance of the evolutionary explanations of aggression. HOWEVER, The study used a questionnaire to gather data hence the results may lack validity, because the questionnaire might not measure what the participants would feel in real life. Furthermore, a massive 49% reported they would be more upset by emotional infidelity compared to sexual infidelity. This further weakens acceptance of the explanations as this doesn't support the evolutionary explanations of aggression

Answer 32

-Dollard said that aggression is always a consequence of frustration -It is a psychodynamic explanation ---> CATHARSIS -Frustration builds which leads to aggression via the release of the frustration -There are 'drives' such as hunger and thirst which lead us to engage in aggressive behaviours in order to reduce our aggressive drives -External factors govern our drives. When working towards goals, anything that blocks our efforts to reach it will lead to frustration. Frustration then arouses an aggressive drive which is only relieved by aggressive behaviour -Aggression is displaced onto an alternative object, to one which caused the frustration as it may be unavailable, abstract or the cause may be to powerful

Answer 33

Male Uni students were given the task of completing a jigsaw puzzle. Frustration was manipulated in one of 3 ways: -Puzzle was impossible to complete -Ppts couldn't complete puzzle because confederate kept interfering -A confederate insulted ppts The final part of the study involved giving electric shocks to a confederate when they made a mistake -All 3 'frustrated groups' gave higher shocks than a non-frustrated control group -The insulted ppts gave the strongest shocks of any of the groups, followed by the impossible group

Answer 34

First, the proximity of the goal Second, the effectiveness of aggression Third, whether the frustrating scenario is justifiable

Answer 35

The frustration-aggression hypothesis was set out in 1939 by Dollard et al. According to the frustration-aggression hypothesis, all aggression is caused by frustration, the negative feeling people experience when they are blocked from achieving their goals. Furthermore, after a person behaves aggressively, they experience catharsis and their negative feelings are relieved. If, however, a person feels like they cannot direct their aggression at the person or thing which caused their frustration, then they displace it towards something or somebody else. Three factors determine the likelihood that frustration will result in aggression: firstly, the frustrated person’s proximity to their goal; secondly, the effectiveness of aggression; and thirdly, the justifiability of the frustrating scenario.

Answer 36

-Dollard's frustration aggression model has been questioned on the basis that there are times when aggression doesn't seem to have been triggered by frustration -Frustration produces anger which may be converted into aggression if there is an environmental stimuli present (which has an aggressive cue) -A ppt was made to be angry (receiving a number of electric shocks from a confederate) -In the environment where it was either an aggressive cue (gun) or a passive cue (badminton racquet). Ppts got the opportunity to shock the confederate back. -Ppts were more likely to exhibit aggression (give a higher number of shocks) if they had aggressive cues in the environment than if there was a passive cue. Called weapons effect. AGGRESSIVE CUES IN THE ENVIRONMENT STIMULATE AGGRESSION

Answer 37

One strength of the theory is that there is research support from Newhall who conducted a meta analysis of 49 studies of 'displaced aggression' Ppts who were provoked but unable to retaliate against the source of their frustration were significantly more likely to behave aggressively against an innocent ppt who were not provoked. The researchers found that displaced aggression is a key part of the original explanation supporting a central concept of the FA hypothesis and it links to aggressive drive reduction. This effect has been demonstrated in the lab studies of aggression supporting one of the key prediction of the theory HOWEVER, it was lab research which doesn't inform us about aggression in the real world, thus weakening acceptance of the theory as it may not be generalisable to real life scenarios, and may only be the case inside an artificially controlled laboratory setting, where the IV is manipulated

Answer 38

One weakness of the theory is that there is research evidence that aggression is not always cathartic, as the theory suggests. This undermines the central prediction of the theory For example, research found that ppts who vented their anger by hitting a punchbag became more angry and aggressive, rather than less aggressive This indicates that aggression may not actually be a 'cathartic release' as the theory suggests and instead acting on the aggressive drive can build aggression instead, contradicting one of the main principles of the frustration aggression hypothesis Hence, this casts doubt on the validity of a central assumption of the hypothesis, thus weakening acceptance of the theory

Answer 39

One weakness of the model is that the theory is lacking detail For example, Dil and Anderson showed ppts a paper-folding task but frustrated them by making it difficult to follow either because the experimenter was in a hurry to meet his girlfriend (unjustified) or because his boss told him to be quick (justified) They found that ppts who experienced unjustified frustration produced most aggression (negative judgements of the experimenter). Justified frustration produced less aggression but more than the control condition (absence of frustration) This finding shows that some forms of frustration can create more aggression than others - a serious challenge to the validity of the original hypothesis

Answer 40

-Asked ppts 'If you could do anything possible with complete assurance you wouldn't be held accountable, what would you do?' -Findings: -36% antisocial behaviour -26% were criminal acts -Some students said rape, murder and assassination of political figures -Only 9% were prosocial behaviours This supports the notion that if we believe we are deindividuated then we will act in an antisocial/aggressive way, as predicted by the theory

Answer 41

-When we act aggressive or antisocial because we become difficult to identify for some reason -In groups, people loose their personal identity and take the identity of the social group -We are not usually aggressive as we try to fit in and be accepted as aggression is frowned upon in society -Individuated state usually produces behaviour which is rational and normative -A deindividuated state usually produces behaviour which is emotional, impulsive and irrational. Deindividuated people are antinormative and disinhibited -When we lose self awareness we stop monitoring and regulating our own behaviour, we ignore social norms -In a crowd, we feel anonymous because there is less fear of retribution as we are small and unidentifiable

Answer 42

Private self awareness ---> Concerns how we pay attention to our own feelings -This is reduced when we are part of a crowd Public self awareness ---> Refers to how much we care about what others think about us / our behaviour ---> Reduced in crowds -Anonymity ---> Less likely to be judged by others

Answer 43

One strength of this explanation is that there is real world application For example, research which looked at aggressive online behaviour in chatrooms found a strong correlation between anonymity and 'trolling'. Most aggressive messages were sent by those who had their identity hidden. This indicates there is a link between anonymity, deindividuation and aggressive behaviour. More relevant today due to use of social media. This is a strength of the theory as the core notion can be seen in a real life scenario, thus strengthening acceptance of the theory

Answer 44

One weakness of the theory is that it has been refuted by contradicting evidence Researchers put strangers in a darkened room and told them to what they wanted, they soon started kissing and touching each other. This study was replicated with ppts told they would be face to face with each other afterwards, touching and kissing was reduced. Despite guarantee of anonymity creating the conditions for deindividuation, aggressive behaviour wasn't the outcome of the study. Therefore, this undermines one of the key predictions of the theory as aggressive and antisocial behaviours may not always be the only outcome when people are deindividuated

Answer 45

A second strength of the theory is that the theory can be applied to real life scenarios such as online gaming platforms such as Xbox. Such online gaming platforms reduce personal identity e.g. using name tags / handles to identify them. This can potentially explain why aggressive behaviour in online gaming is seen. Real life applications confirm the relevance of deindividuation concepts to aggression as anonymity creates conditions of deindividuation and reductions in self awareness, as seen in online gaming platforms. Therefore this real life application allows us to see the theory materializing in real life scenarios, thus strengthening acceptance of deindividuation as an explanation of aggression

Answer 46

One weakness of the theory is that deindividuation doesn't always lead to aggression. Research found that when female ppts gave (fake) shocks to a confederate, either wearing KKK outfits and masks, dressed as nurses or wearing their own clothes. Masked ppts gave more intense shocks and 'nurses' gave fewer at lower levels. Nurses were more compassionate towards victims, in line with the prosocial role associated with a nurses uniform. This indicates both aggression and prosocial behaviour are potential outcomes of de-individuation (not just aggression). Environmental cues in the situation also determine which is most likely to occur. This is a weakness of the original explanation as it suggests that deindividuation and its affect on human behaviour is more complex than the original theory suggests, thus weakening acceptance of the theory as it may be lacking detail

Answer 47

-Prisoners are aggressive to begin with due to personal factors e.g. biological factors like damage to the limbic system, carrying the short allele of the MAOA gene, biological factors like increased testosterone, environmental factors like cramped prison conditions. -Prisoners bring in a 'subculture' typical of criminality -This includes their beliefs, values, norms, attitudes, gender, race class and upbringing -Prisoners seek positions of power within the system and they are more likely to resort to aggression to negotiate their way through the prison environment -Inmates use aggression to establish dominance / power to access resources -Mental health of prisoners can lead to higher levels of aggression -Those who were in gangs prior to prison are more likely to be aggressive as it is a social norm in a gang to use aggression

Answer 48

Conducted a longitudinal study looking a children in gangs. At adulthood, they looked at the ppts who ended up in prison and measured their level of aggression Found a positive correlation between gang membership and belief in the 'Code of the streets' lead to higher levels of aggression in prison

Answer 49

One strength of the theory is that there is supporting research from Kane and Janus For example, Kane and Janus investigated the behaviour of prisoners in a prison and also measured their personal characteristics. They found that the prisoners had a past history of violence, low levels of education, unemployment. This indicates that they were aggressive due to their personal characteristics, which they had 'imported'. This supporting research provides support for the core principles of the importation theory and dispositional explanation as a whole, thus strengthening acceptance of the theory.

Answer 50

The importation model, a dispositional explanation of institutional aggression, says that aggression in prisons is caused by the violent personality of the prisoners, which they carry into the prison. For instance, prisoners might be predisposed to violence by personal characteristics such as their gender, biological risk factors, their personality, and aggressive role models. One study which supports the importation model was conducted by Mears et al. Mears et al conducted a longitudinal study looking at children from poor areas where there were a lot of gangs, to see which children joined gangs. At adulthood, Mears et al looked at the participants who had ended up in prison, and measured their level of violence. Mears found that the prisoners who had joined gangs and believed in a code of the streets (social norms which reward violence) were more likely to behave aggressively in prison. A second study which supports the importation model, by Kane and Janus, investigated the behaviour of prisoners in a prison and also measured their personal characteristics. They found that the level of violence of the prisoners was associated with low levels of education, unemployment and a past history of violence

Answer 51

Cavewomen didn’t face much competition for cavemen, so they did not need to be aggressive to each other. They were more inclined to protecting their offspring. This means they have not evolved to be aggressive, unlike men. In fact, cavewomen were more likely to select more aggressive cavemen, because they can provide the resources that they need to protect their babies.

Answer 52

-Deprivation model -Suggests prisoners are deprived of certain things e.g. security, goods, relationships autonomy etc. -Developed by Sykes -Harsh conditions cause stress for inmates who cope by behaving aggressively -Aggression is also influenced by another situational factor, an 'unpredictable prison regime' that regularly uses 'lock ups' to control behaviour. This creates frustration and reduces access to goods (e.g. televisions, phones and drugs) even further

Answer 53

Deprivation of: Security Goods Relationships Autonomy Overcrowding Temperature or heat Noise

Answer 54

Investigated aggression in 371 prisons across the US and found a positive correlation between higher levels of aggression and prisons being overcrowded and there was a lack of privacy and security. Supports the idea that overcrowding and a deprivation of basic needs lead to violence in prisons.

Answer 55

-Found that inmate on inmate violence was more common where there were female officers. Due to deprivation of access to females, aggression and violence is more likely to occur. This is a key prediction of the model (supports deprivation of heterosexual relationships) -Also many Hispanic and African American prisoners feared for their lives and resorted to higher levels of aggression ---> Supports deprivation of security -Overall situational factors of the prison environment can explain higher levels of aggression

Answer 56

One strength of the deprivation model is that there is supporting research from McKorkle et al. For example, he found a strong positive correlation between higher levels of aggression and prisons being overcrowded and where there was a lack of privacy and security. This is a strength because supports the idea that overcrowding and a deprivation of basic needs lead to violence in prisons, which is a core notion of the deprivation model, therefore this strengthens acceptance of situational explanations of institutional aggression HOWEVER, the research was correlational meaning we cant establish a cause and effect relationship between overcrowding (deprivation) and aggression is prisons. There may be extraneous variables at play which may have affected the levels of aggression displayed by the prisoners, thus indicating we should accept McKorkle's findings with caution

Answer 57

One strength of the model is that there are real life applications of the theory For example, in the 1990s, HMP Woodhall's prisoners were violent and aggressive to guards. David Wilson, the head of the prison decided to improve the prison's conditions by decreasing the temperatures of the rooms , lowered the noise levels and increased the amount of space each prisoner had. The changes virtually eradicated the violence that prisoners displayed to other prisoners and staff. This is a strength as it demonstrates the situational explanations can be applied to help improve the behaviour of prisoners, thus indicating the theory has real life applications, therefore strengthening acceptance of the situational explanation of institutional aggression.

Answer 58

One weakness of the explanation is that there is opposing research from Harer et al. For example, conducted a study into prison violence from 58 US prisons. They gathered data on the amount of security and overcrowding and also information about the personal characteristics of the prisoners e.g. Drug use, criminal history and age. The researchers found that personal characteristics were the only variables which significantly predicted aggression. These results support the dispositional explanation rather than the situational explanation as there was no correlation between prison conditions and aggressive behaviour. Therefore this weakens acceptance of the theory.

Answer 59

Perhaps an interaction of both explanations should be used to explain institutional aggression. For example, research found that when prisoners were violent against other prisoners, it was due to dispositional factors, but when prisoners were violent to prion guards and staff, it was best explained by the situational explanation. This suggests an interactionist approach should be taken when trying to explain institutional aggression as no one explanation alone can comprehensively explain institutional aggression

Answer 60

-The deprivation model best explained violence against the staff. -The importation model best explained violence against other prisoners.

Answer 61

Prevents infidelity, helps them gain dominance over other men, gives them access to resources like food and women

Answer 62

One strength of the SLT explanation for aggression is that there is supporting research from Bandura's 1977 study Bandura conducted a quasi experiment where he gathered ppts from low crime and high crime rate areas and investigated their levels of aggression. He found that those who lived in higher crime rate areas displayed higher levels of aggression compared to those in low crime areas. This is a strength because it validates the key principles of SLT, observation and imitation of aggressive role models will result in aggression from others. This indicates the theory has high internal validity, thus strengthening acceptance of the theory. HOWEVER, this was a quasi experiment which means 2 things. Firstly, the researcher has no control over the IV, meaning Bandura couldn't randomly assign ppts to groups. Furthermore, Bandura had no control over confounding variables which may have influenced the ppts. E.g. Those in higher crime rate areas were probably living in poverty and were stressed out, which could have led to higher levels of aggression, rather than it being due to the area in which the ppts were living, thus indicating we cant establish a causal relationship and this research shows us a correlation at best, thus weakening acceptance of the theory

Answer 63

A second strength of the theory is that it can explain cultural differences in aggression. If a person grows up in a society where people are rewarded for aggression, they are more likely to become aggressive than if they grow up in a society where aggression is frowned upon. According to social learning theory, we should expect children growing up in the !Kung society (where aggression is frowned upon and children rarely observe aggressive behaviour) to be less aggressive than children in the Western world, and this turns out to be true. These differences cant be explained by the biological and evolutionary explanations which say aggression is innate. Therefore this strengthens our acceptance of SLT as an explanation for aggression

Answer 64

One weakness is that it ignores biological factors such as genes. For example, research found that concordance rates for Mz twins was around 50% but for Dz twins this was only 22%. Moreover, other research found that children who displayed criminal behaviour were more likely to have parents who displayed criminal behaviour. Both these studies indicate that genes have a large role to play in whether we are aggressive or not. This suggests that there is a genetic basis in aggression, however this is completely ignored by SLT, indicating it is reductionist for reducing behaviour down to observation and imitation of aggressive role models, and ignoring the role of other factors such as the MAOA gene, thus weakening acceptance of the theory Perhaps it would be better to use an interactionist approach which accounts for both biological and environmental factors.

Answer 65

-Ppts played a violent computer game (mortal Kombat) or a non-violent golf game for 10 minutes -They then were asked to carry out the 'Taylor competitive reaction time task', this is a standard lab method to assess aggression -Students can choose what volume to 'blast white noise' to 'punish' non-existent opponent -Findings: Players who play the violent game delivered significantly higher volumes of white noise (5.97 decibels) compared to those that play the non-violent game (4.60 decibels) -Summary: Playing a violent game does increase aggression

Answer 66

+Takes place in a controlled environment meaning we can establish cause and effect -Cant generalise findings outside of lab setting. Game was played for a very short time period of 10 mins and then straight away are given a lab based measure to assess aggression. Not accurate to how media would affect aggression in the real world -Method lacks mundane realism ---> Method of measuring aggression isnt how it would be measured in real life scenarios e.g. Punching, swearing and other violent behaviours were not measured, rather how many decibels of white noise were administered

Answer 67

-DeLisi et al -Studied 227 juvenile offenders (history of aggressive behaviours) -Used structured interviews - gathered data on measures of aggression and violent computer games played E.g. How many hours a day do you spend playing violent computer games? -Found a positive correlation between aggressive behaviour and how often they play violent video games

Answer 68

+Can see strength of relationship between the 2 variables -Causation ---> Dont know whether increased aggression led a person to play more aggressive videos or vice versa. Overall this research lacks validity due to this issue. Doesn't offer us a complete explanation regarding human behaviour. It ignores other key variables e.g. personality, background and level of violence exposure beforehand

Answer 69

-Wanted to see if there was a link between excessive TV watching in childhood and aggressive behaviour in adulthood -Studied children born in New Zealand until the age of 26, gathered data at regular intervals relating to their TV viewing hours -Found: More time spent watching TV was a reliable predictor of aggressive behaviour as an adult, evidenced through criminal convicts for violence and aggression -Increased TV consumption = Increased diagnosis of anti-social personality disorder

Answer 70

-Studied 136 studies using different methodologies -Found that exposure to violent video games was associated with increased aggressive behaviours, actions, thoughts and feelings -This was found across cultures and genders suggesting it is universal

Answer 71

There has been found to be a strong link between violence and aggression This has led to real life implications. For example, gaming companies must ensure that all games that depict violence are certificated and laws must be made more rigid to stop children from accessing violent media at young ages. Furthermore, parents must also be mindful of the media consumption of TV their children are exposed to from a young age. This is a strength because it indicates the findings of all the research has led to improved regulations which aim to reduce consumption of violent media by children at young ages, to prevent aggression manifesting later on in life, thus strengthening acceptance of the theory

Answer 72

-Repeated exposure to[ violence in media reduces impact of the violence -Viewing the violence reduces impact on them, they become less anxious about violence and may engage in more violent behaviour -We usually experiment physiological arousal as a result of the sympathetic nervous system and adrenaline, but after repeated exposure to violence, we become habituated to its effects causing a decrease in arousal -Effects of desensitisation are physiological as well as psychological -Desensitisation promotes the belief that aggression is an appropriate response to resolving conflict

Answer 73

-Earl and Weisz -Lab study -Ppts shown a film which contains a prolonged graphic rape scene -Control group shown a non violent film -All ppts then watched a re-enactment of a rape trial and asked ppts to rate the defendant guilty or not guilty Findings: -Male viewers showed greater acceptance of rape myths (she was asking for it) and sexual aggression -Men expressed less sympathy to rape victim on trial -Less likely to find defendant guilty -Film type didn't have same effect on women SUPPORTS DESENSITISATION EFFECT - EFFECTS MORE PRONOUNCED FOR MALES COMPARED TO FEMALES

Answer 74

-Our ideas regarding accepting harm of others are partly formed through the media, so people may infer it acceptable -Ordinarily an individual would not act aggressively due to social norms, but when viewing aggressive films, a disinhibited person will act in a non-typical way -Suggests exposure to media aggression may incite violence in someone who is passive in everyday violence -Exposure to violent media legitimises the use of violence in real life because it undermines the social sanctions that usually inhibit such behaviour

Answer 75

-Repeated viewing of aggressive media, especially playing games can provide us with a 'script' about how violent situations may 'play out' -According to Huesmann, this script is stored in memory and so we become ready or primed to be aggressive in the real world -The process of being primed to be aggressive is mostly automatic and it can direct our behaviour without us even being aware of it

Answer 76

-Male ppts listened to songs featuring derogatory and aggressive lyrics about women Found: Ppts subsequently recalled more negatively about women and behaved more aggressive to a female confederate -This procedure was replicated with females, using men hating songs and found similar results AGGRESSIVE MEDIA CAN GIVE US SCRIPTS THAT PRIME US TO THINK NEGATIVELY AND BEHAVE AGGRESSIVELY TO OTHERS

Answer 77

One strength of the explanations is that there is supporting research. For example, Carnagey et al examined the effect of playing violent computer games on later responses to real life violence. They found that those who played the violent game immediately before watching had lower heart rates and galvanic skin responses. These results support a central prediction of the theory - there is lowered physiological response / heart rate / stress after playing violent games (violent games lead to desensitisation). Moreover, the research used objective methods of stress / arousal which increases credibility of the findings. Therefore the valid nature of the supporting research solidifies acceptance of desensitisation as an explanation of the media influences on aggression

Answer 78

One strength of cognitive priming is that there is supporting research. For example, Murray et al used a FMRI to compare the brain areas when a sample of 8 children watched both violent and non-violent programmes. They found that the areas in which visual motion is processed was active in both groups, but when watching violence - part of the right hemisphere was activated which regulates emotion, arousal and attention as well as areas responsible for storing episodic memories implying violence is stored as scripts for later use. This is a strength because the research supports the role of cognitive processes in aggression as a result of violent media exposure

Answer 79

One strength of the theory is that there is supporting research for disinhibition. For example, Berkowitz et al found that ppts who saw a film depicting aggression as vengeance gave more electric shocks of longer frustration to a confederate (lab based measure of aggression). This suggests that media violence may lead to aggressive behaviour when it is presented as justified. This disinhibition effect is more likely. This is because vengeance is a powerful justification for violence, and justified violence is more likely to be seen as socially acceptable . This adds validity to the disinhibition concept because it demonstrates the link between removal of social constraints and subsequent aggressive behaviour, at least in the case of justified aggression. Therefore, this supporting research for the role of disinhibition coincides with the core principles of the theory, thus strengthening acceptance of the theory.