Aggression 3 | Social psychological explanations of human aggression Flashcards
AO1 What is the frustration-aggression hypothesis
It is the idea that aggression is the result of frustration when an individual is blocked from achieving a goal leading to a buildup of aggressive energy which must be released
AO1 What did Dollard et al propose about frustration and aggression
They proposed that frustration always leads to aggression and aggression is always the result of frustration
AO1 How can the aggression from frustration be displaced
If the source of frustration is unavailable or inappropriate to aggress against the aggression is displaced onto a more acceptable target
AO1 What is the core idea of social learning theory as applied to aggression
SLT suggests aggression is learned through observation imitation and reinforcement especially when aggressive behaviour is seen to be rewarded vicariously
AO1 What are the four mediational processes in SLT related to aggression
Attention retention reproduction and motivation are the cognitive processes needed for an individual to imitate aggressive behaviour
AO1 How does vicarious reinforcement relate to aggression in SLT
When individuals observe others being rewarded for aggressive behaviour they are more likely to imitate it themselves
AO1 What is de-individuation
It is a psychological state where individuals lose their personal identity and sense of responsibility often due to anonymity and being part of a crowd
AO1 How does de-individuation lead to aggression
Reduced self-awareness and a sense of anonymity can lead individuals to behave in ways they normally would not including increased aggression
AO1 What factors contribute to de-individuation
Anonymity diffused responsibility altered consciousness due to drugs or alcohol and arousing group activity can all contribute to de-individuation
AO3 Strength of frustration-aggression hypothesis supported by lab studies
Studies like Geen 1968 show that frustrated participants behave more aggressively supporting the idea that frustration increases aggression
AO3 Limitation of frustration-aggression hypothesis oversimplified
Not all frustration leads to aggression and not all aggression is caused by frustration meaning the theory lacks full explanatory power
AO3 Strength of SLT supported by Bandura’s research
Children imitated aggression towards a Bobo doll especially when aggression was rewarded showing aggression can be learned through observation
AO3 Limitation of SLT lacks ecological validity
Much research like the Bobo doll study is artificial so may not reflect how aggression occurs in real life situations
AO3 Strength of de-individuation theory supported by lab studies
Zimbardo found that anonymous participants behaved more aggressively supporting the link between anonymity and aggression
AO3 Limitation of de-individuation theory lacks predictive validity
Research like Johnson and Downing shows de-individuation can lead to prosocial behaviour depending on context so it cannot always predict aggression
