Aggression Flashcards
What are the 2 hormonal mechanism in aggression?
Testosterene and Progesterone
What is testosterone?
An androgen responsible for the development of masculine features
What is the role of testosterone?
Regulating social behaviour
What is the role of progesterone?
Aggression in women
low levels of progesterone have increased aggression in women
What enzyme does the MAOA gene produce?
monoamine oxidase A
What does the MAOA gene do?
Regulates serotonin
What are the 2 neural mechanisms in aggression?
The Limbic system
The Orbitolfrontal cortex and serotonin
What 3 parts of the brain is the limbic system made up of?
Amygdala, Hippocampus, Hypothalamus
What is serotonin?
A neurotransmitter that regulates mood
What study did Dolan et al do between testosterone and aggression?
60 male offenders
past of aggressive impulsive behaviours
positive correlation with testosterone levels and aggression
What is the correlation between progesterone and aggression?
Negative correlation
What is the correlation between
testosterone and aggression?
Positive correlation
What are 2 evaluations of the hormonal mechanisms of aggression? (+-)
+ Evidence from animal studies
- Injecting female rats with T increased mouse-killing behaviour
- Castration of male rats reduced aggressive behaviour during mating season
- Dual Hormone hypothesis
- More than just testosterone linking to aggression
High T leads to aggression only when cortisol levels are low
High cortisol, Ts influence on aggression is blocked
What are 2 evaluations of the neural mechanisms of aggression? (+-)
- Other brain structures
- not just the limbic system are involved in aggression - The orbitofrontal cortex also plays a role and that not in the LS
+ Serotonin and drugs
- serotonin increasing drugs reduce aggression
Berman et al - Shocks to responses with a placebo and drug group
Those with drug gave fewer shocks than placebo
Link between serotonin and aggression
What are the 4 genetic factors of aggression?
Twin studies
MAOA gene
Adoption studies
Gene x Environment
What do twin studies say about genetics in aggression?
MZ twins are more likely to share aggressive behaviours compared to DZ twins as they share 100% of genes
Concordance rates
Direct physical assault - 50%MZ 19%DZ
Verbal aggression - 28%MZ 7%DZ
What do adoption studies say about genetics in aggression?
Link between an adopted child and their biological parent
Rhee and Waldman et al -
- meta analysis of adoption studies
- on direct aggression and antisocial behaviour
found variance rates of genetic influence on 41%
(Similar results to twin studies)
What does the MAOA say about genetics in aggression?
Regulates the neurotransmitter serotonin in the body, serotonin plays the role of impulsive aggression.
Low levels of the MAOA gene can lead to high levels of aggressive behaviour
What was Brunner et al’s study on the MAOA gene in aggression?
- 28 men from a large dutch family who had high levels of aggressive, violent criminal behaviours
- They had abnormally low rates of the enzyme MAOA
What does the gene x environment say about genetics in aggression?
Genes can not function in isolation.
It appears the MAOA gene variant activity is only related to adult aggression with early traumatic life experiences.
- Suggesting more of a diathesis - stress mode
What was Frazzeto et al’s study on gene x environment in aggression?
- Link between high antisocial aggression and MAOA variant in men who had significant trauma in the first 15 years of their life
- Those with no early childhood trauma did not really have high aggression levels as adults even with the MAOA variant.
What are 2 limitations on the genetic explanations of aggression?
Mertin money distributing task said they felt social norms
Complex MAOA link
Twin studies lack validity
What is a strength of genetic explanations of aggression?
Mertin et al-
Found more evidence to support the link between the MAOA - L variant and high levels of aggression
Men with high and low levels of MAOA gene took part in a money distributing game
Men with high MAOA variants were more cooperative and made fewer aggressive moves than those with the low MAOA variant.
Supports the relationship between the MAOA gene and aggression giving the explanation increased validity and credibility
What are the 4 factors in the ethological explanations of aggression?
- Innate releasing mechanism
- Adaptive function
- Ritualistic aggression
- Fixed action patterns
What does it mean by ritualistic aggression?
Aggressive signalling
What are innate releasing mechanisms?
hard-wired brain networks that respond to specific
signs by initiating a fixed action pattern, a set sequence of behaviours.
What is meant by fixed action patterns?
adaptive sequence of
ritual behaviours that is universal within a species
What are the 6 features Lea et al found in FAPs?
- Unchanging behaviours
- Universal behaviour
- Same response by individuals regardless of experiences
- Behaviours can not be altered before it is completed
- Only occurs in a specific situation, single purpose
- Response to a specific sign
What was Tinbergen’s procedure into the ethological explanation?
Male sticklebacks are highly territorial during spring mating season, They develop a red spot under their belly
When another male entered their territory a sequence of high stereotypes aggressive behaviours begin
The sign stimulus that triggers the IRM is the sight of the red spot
He presented sticklebacks with a series of wooden models of different shapes
What was Tinbergen’s findings into the ethological explanation?
- Regardless of the shape, the red spots formed more aggressive behaviours from the stickleback and even attack it
- When no red spot, there was no aggression even when the model looked like a stickleback
Found that these aggressive FAPs were unchanging
What way was adoption studies studied?
Meta-analysis
Adoption studies on direct aggression and anti-social behaviour
What are the 2 male retention strategies?
Direct guarding
Negative inducements
What are 3 evaluations of the evolutionary explanation of aggression?
Real World Applications to stop bullying
Increases understanding on differences between gender aggression types
However, culture difference and !Kung San people
BUT
research has shown them to have a high homicide rate
(Observer bias)
What is self-efficacy?
The extent to which we believe our actions will achieve our desired goals
How does self-efficacy link to aggression?
Social Learning Theory
- As a child learns aggression can be rewarded, their confidence in their aggressive ability grows
A child’s SE grows with each successful outcome
What does the frustration aggression hypothesis suggest?
All aggression is a result of frustration and frustration is necessary for aggression
4 media effects on aggression?
- Excessive TV watching
- Violent film watching
- TV/Film effects weak
- Gaming
What was the study into excessive TV watching?
ROBERTSON
- TV viewing hours for over 1000 New Zealanders up to age 26
Found more watching in childhood was a good predictor of aggressive behaviours in early childhood
(reduced social interactions and poor educational achievements)
What was the study into violent film content?
BANDURA
- Study replication with video produced similar results
What was the study into TV/film effect weak?
Comstock and Paik
- Meta - analysis, positive correlation between watched and aggression
HOWEVER, difference of only 1%-10%
Who did the 2 studies on gaming in aggression as media influence?
Matt DeLisi
Anderson and Bartholow
What was Matt DeLisi findings on media influence on aggression from gaming?
PC on gaming and many forms of aggression
- Public health issue
What was Anderson and Bartholows study on aggression from gaming?
TRTT (white noise) to opponent
- Mortal Kombat v PGA tour (golf) for 10mins
Higher volume in violent game
What is the dispositionial explanation of aggression in prisons?
The importation model
What is the situational explanation of aggression in prisons?
The deprivation model
What is de-individuation?
A psychological state where individuals lose their personal identity and identifies with a social group
What is the link between crowd behaviour and de-individuation?
We lose self-identity and responsibility
Responsibility becomes shared in a crowd, less guilt forms
What did zimbardo establish in de-individuation?
Distinguished between individuated and de-individuated behaviour
What is 2 characteristics of individuated behaviour?
rational and normative
What is 3 characteristics of de-individuated behaviour?
emotional, disinhibited, impulsive
What De-individuated conditions promote aggression? (4)
Drugs, alcohol, masks, anonymity
What did Dixon and Mahendran say on De-individuated condition ‘anonymity’ for aggression?
“anonymity shapes crowd behaviour’
Who said “anonymity shapes crowd behaviour’?
Dixon and Mahendran
Why does anonymity shape crowd behaviour?
Provides fewer opportunities for others to judge us negatively
What are the 2 types of self-awareness that cause de-individuation?
Private and public
Who established the 2 types of self-awareness that cause de-individuation?
Dunn and Rogers
What is private self-awareness?
Attention to our own feelings and behaviours
- Less focus in group settings makes us less self-critical
What is public self-awareness?
How much we care about what others think of our behaviours
- Crowd setting realise we are one amongst many
less likely to be judged, reduces accountability
Who did research into de-individuation?
Dodd
What was the PROCEDURE of Dodds research into de-individuation?
229 psych undergrad in 13 classes
ANONYMOUS
“if you could do anything humanly possible with no individual responsibility what would you do?
What was the FINDINGS of Dodds research into de-individuation?
Only 9% were prosocial behaviours
36% antisocial behaviours
26% criminal acts
Who did the counter eval as darkness and imitation for de-individuation?
Gergen
What are 3 external media influences?
Desensitisation
Disinhibition
Cognitive Priming
What is the role of disinhibition?
Restraints on violence loosen after repeated exposure to violent media
- Creates a social norm that violence is okay (through SLT)
What is the role of desensitisation?
When aggression is repeatedly viewed we become used to it
- Weaker physiological impact
- Psychologically changes beliefs to view violence as socially acceptable
What was Weisz and Earls study on desensitisation?
P - Straw dogs (graphic r scene included) and then re-enactment of rape trial
F - Compared to neutral film watchers, Males who watched the violent film had greater acceptance of rape myths , SA and less sympathy for victims
When is disinhibition enhanced?
- When minimal effects are portrayed to victims
- When violence is rewarded
- When consequences are seen as minimal
What is cognitive priming?
A way a person thinks is triggered by a ‘script’ which makes us ready for a certain response
What did Huessman say about cognitive priming?
We form a ‘script’ in our memory so we are ‘ready’ to be aggressive
What triggers our aggressive script in cognitive priming?
A perceived aggressive cue
What was Fischer and Greitemeyers study on cognitive priming?
P - Men listen to derogatory song lyrics on women
F - Compared to neutral lyrics, they recalled more women negative qualities and were more aggressive to a woman confederate
Similar replicated results with women and ‘men-hating’ lyrics
What is catharsis?
The emotional release achieved by engaging in aggressive behaviours/thoughts
What did Dolard et al say about the frustration and aggression link?
All aggression is a result of frustration and frustration is necessary for aggression
What was Berkowitz procedure on weapon effect?
Lab setting where A confederate angered participants by giving them shocks
Participants sat at table with a shotgun and revolver on it (was told they were part of another experiment)
Control group had a table with badminton racquets and shuttlecocks
Participants decided what electric shock level to give to the confederate that angered them
Participants who saw the guns on the table were more aggressive than those who saw the sports items
Guns
(6.07 average shocks)
Sports items (4.67 average socks)
In one word what was Geens frustration hypothesis study with?
Jigsaws
What was Berkowitz adapted theory for the ‘frustration hypothesis’?
‘Negative affect theory’ argues that frustration is only one of many aversive stimuli that creates a negative feeling
What does the deprivation model suggest about aggression in prisons?
- Withdrawal of G+S
- Harsh prison regimes
Increase inmate competitiveness and causes frustration creating aggression as an adaptive response
What does the importation model suggest about aggression in prisons?
Violence amount in prisons is based on the lives of inmates before prison
- Product of individual characteristics
What did McManimom and Thomas say about the importation model?
‘People who prey on others in the street also prey on others in prison’
What was the study by DeLisi on the importation model?
Californian inmates
- Past negative history inmates were importing these characteristics into prisons
More likely to engage in misconduct compared to control group (NNB)
What was the study by Steiner on the deprivation model?
- 512 US prisons
Inmate on inmate violence was higher in female led, overcrowded prisons
What is the link between the Orbitalfrontal cortex and aggression?
Serotonin in the OBC
- Serotonin deficiency reduces self-control resulting in impulsive behaviours
What is the link between the Limbic system and aggression?
Amygdala reactivy predicts aggressive behaviours
- Key role in how we assess and respond to environment threats
What is an IRM
A physiological process (bunch of neurons)
What 2 types of changes occur during desenstisation?
Physiological
Psychological
What Media did Fischer and Greitemeyer look at for CP?
Song lyrics - derogatory words
based on the importation model of aggression in institutions, how can aggression be reduced? (2)
Staff training
Therapy sessions
based on the deprivation model of aggression in institutions, how can aggression be reduced? (2)
Improve staff behaviour
- To show respect
Manage Resources Well
- fair distribution to avoid competition/resentment
Improve living conditions
- Comfortable and safe, with access to basic needs
Nickname of the MAOA gene?
Warrior gene
Why is the MAOA gene also known as the warrior gene?
possessed by 56% of New Zealand Maori men (they were known as ferocious warriors)
What triggers an IRM?
An environmental stimulus
3 reasons why male bullying occurs
To other males to assert dominance and look after themselves
To appear more tough
Appear more attractive to females as they would want someone with the strongest genetics
2 reasons why female bullying occurs
To their partners in order to control them so they don’t leave
A way of securing their fidelity so that they continue to provide resources for them and their child
What topic is the kung san people in?
Evolutionary explanation of aggression
What was Berkowitz study on weapon effect?
Participants given a real electric shock by a confederate then asked to give a shock back to them
Found that those with guns present on the table in front of them chose a higher number of shocks compared to the group with no weapons in front of them
3 evaluations of FA hypothesis?
- Research support - Meta analysis
- Other factors cause aggression
- HOWEVER, negative affect theory
3 evaluations of SLT
Biological influences
RWA
Research support
- Aggressive boys became friends with other aggressive boys (age 9-12)
De-individuation 4 evaluations
Other impacts
- Dark room led to lust rather than aggression
RWA
- Explains aggression in ‘baiting crowds’
Role of Norms (L)
- Acceptance of norms rather than non rejection
- We are actually conforming to social roles
Support
- Online chatrooms, found correlation between anonymity and flaming (Online trolls)
2 evaluations of the importation model
Research support
- Californian similar criminal history inmates
- some in low/high security prisons
- found no sig differences in aggression rates (33-36%)
Ignores key factors
- Diluilio proposed ACM, poor managed prisons increase inmate aggression
What is a limitation of the limitation of FA model?
Cathartic
Aggression may not be cathartic
- Bushman, people who vented their anger through punchbag hitting became more aggressive than less
Like petrol putting out a fire
What can the evolutionary explanation not explain?
Cultural differences
(Kung san people)
What is needed in the dual hormone hypothesis for testosterone?
Cortisol influence
What was the lab experiment on computer games?
TCRTT - taylors competitve reaction time task
- participants blast chosen loudness white noise at opponents
- Mortal kombat v golf game
- MK had significantly higher volume
What does TCRTT stand for?
Taylors competitve reaction time task
How does the amygdala link to aggression?
amygdala’s reactivity is a predictor of aggression
heightened activity correlates with increased aggression.
What has amygdala research shown?
amygdala response spikes during provocation, and benzodiazepine intake reduces both amygdala activity and subsequently aggression.
What is serotonin?
A neurotransmitter
3 evaluations of TV/Games effects?
Explaining findings
- All can be explained through SLT
Defining aggression
- Violence v Aggression
HOWEVER,
Meta-analysis fix this issue
- Various aggression definitions
RWA
What was Fischer and Gretiemeyers study on cognitive priming?
Men listened to songs with derogatory lyrics about women, compared to listening to neutral song lyrics they recalled the derogatory ones better and were more aggressive to a women confederate.
Does disinhibition have a study?
No
2 evaluations of the role of desensitisation?
RESEARCH SUPPORT
- V and NV films and measured physiological arousal through skin conductance to habitual violent movie watchers
(Found V had L arousal)
ALTERNATIVE EXPLANATIONS
- Cant link low arousal, watching and reactive aggression
- Catharsis is a better psychodynamic explanation
2 strength evaluations of the role of disinhibition?
RESEARCH SUPPORT
- Vengeance film watchers gave more fake shocks to confederate
(Vengeance aggression seems justified)
CARTOON VIOLENCE
- Children dont learn specific aggression from this but rather that aggression is acceptable (Socially normative)
2 evaluations of the role of cognitive priming?
RWA
- Those who watch more can access their aggressive scripts quicker
COUNFOUNDING VARIABLES - COMPLEXITY
- Complexity of violent video games may influence aggression
- RS found when complexity in games were controlled the effects of violent video games disappeared
What is the research support for the dispositional explanation?
Californian inmates with similar criminal history
Split in low and high security prisons
2 years found no sig differences in aggressive conduct (33-36%)
Shows prison setting has little influence
What was used against FA H in the role of catharsis?
A punching bag to release frustration
RS Evaluation of de-individuation that can be critiqued
Support Douglas and McGarty
- Online chatrooms, found correlation between anonymity and flaming (Online trolls)
However - Gergen et al
Darkness and lust (8 strangers)
What is the study in the importation model?
DeLisi
Californian juvenile offenders with negative background
- They imported these characteristics into their prisons
These ‘negative’ inmates were more likely to engage aggressively (suicidally) than control group/normal inmates
What is the study in the Deprivation model?
512 US prisons showed inmate on inmate aggression was higher when women controlled and overcrowded prisons
What is the main deprivation in the deprivation model?
Lack of heterosexual contact leads to aggression (There being no conjugal visits)
who did the weapon focus study?
Berkowitz
Who did the jigsaw study?
Geen
who found the difference between individuated and de-individuated behaviours?
Zimbardo
What aggressive behaviours are promoted through de-individuated?
Alcohol, drugs, uniform, masks and darkness
RWA of de-individuation
‘Baiting crowds’
Leon Mann - suicidal jumpers 21 US cases were crowds came to bait a jumper
Conditions were dark, large crowd and distanced from jumper
Same conditions de-individuation states occur to lose self-identity
Who found the link between aggressive online chatrooms and anonymity
Douglas and McGarty
What was the variance of tv watching not being strong
between 1% and 10% variance
(minor role)
2 strenght evaluations of disinihibition
Research support - vengeance
- electric shocks higher as vengeance is justified
Cartoon violence
- Explains aggression as acceptable
What is the research support and contradiction of SLT
Poulin and Boivin
Aggressive boys 9-12 formed friendships with other aggressive boys (reinforced eachother)
HOWEVER, reactive aggression
Boy less likely to influence RA as it is not planned and had unpredictable consequences
3 factors in ritualistic aggression
Ritualistic signalling
(claws and teeth)
Ritual apeasment displays
(exposing neck)
Adaptive
Who found the gxe link?
Frazetto et al
Who found the twin studies aggression concordance rates?
Coccaro et al
