Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Psychology Paper 3 (Shortened) > Aggression > Flashcards

Aggression Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
Psychology 101 flashcards GRE® Psychology flashcards AP® Psychology flashcards
1
Q

2 neural mechanisms in aggression?

A

1) . Limbic system.

2) . Serotonin.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Who identified the limbic system?

A

Papez and Mclean.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the limbic system?

A

Amygdala =

  • fast response –> associated with aggression.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Who carried out a lab-based game to test the amygdala?

A

Gospic et al.

  • used brain scans (fMRI).
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Who found an association between serotonin and aggression?

A

Denson et al.

  • Decreased serotonin (less elf-control) –> high aggression.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Evaluate neural mechanisms in aggression?

A

1) . Coccaro et al. –> OFC =
- Amygdala works with OFC (maintains self-control).
- Aggression cant be explained with just limbic system.
2) . Effects of drugs on serotonin –. Berman et al. =
- Serotonin enhanced drug in lab-based game = less aggression compared with placebo.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Hormonal mechanism in aggression?

A

Testosterone.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Which animal study supports the role of testosterone?

A

Giammanco et al. =

  • increased testosterone = aggression.
  • castration = less aggression.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Evaluate the hormonal mechanism in aggression?

A

1) . Mazur’s BMos –> Mehta and Joseph =
- 73% of high testosterone loser = rechallenge.
- 22% of low testosterone loser = rechallenge.
2) . Other hormones =
- Dual hormone hypothesis.
- high testosterone + low cortisol = aggression.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Genetic factors in aggression?

A

1) . Twin studies.
2) . Adoption studies.
3) . MAOA gene.
4) . Gene-environment interactions.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Who conducted twin studies in aggression?

A

Coccaro et al. –> physical =

  • MZ = 50%.
  • DZ = 19%
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Who conducted a meta-analysis of adoption studies?

A

Rhee and Waldman =

  • 41% genetic factors in aggression.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What did Brunner et al. find about the low activity MAOA in his study?

A

28 male Dutch family members =

  • low activity MAOA = violent behaviour.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is the gene-environment interaction?

A

Low activity MAOA + aggression = only when experienced childhood trauma.

  • diathesis-stress model.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Evaluate genetic factors in aggression?

A

1) . Isolating genetic factors =
- genes interact with environment.
2) . Multiple genetic influences =
- Stuart et al. –> serotonin transporter gene + MAOA = closely related to domestic abusers behaviour.
3) . Measuring aggression =
- people measure aggression differently, sometimes findings don’t correspond.
4) . Lacks validity =
- Rhee and Waldman’s meta-analysis.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is the ethological explanation?

A

Aggressive instincts - beneficial to survival.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What are the adaptive functions of aggression?

A

1) . Reduces competition.

2) . Establishes dominance hierarchy.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is ritualistic aggression?

A

Appeasement display’s =

  • loser indicates defeat, preventing damage from winner.
  • e.g. ducking head or walking away.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is an IRM?

A

Built-in physiological process that identifies threats.

  • activates FAP’s (facial expression).
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What is a FAP?

A

Specific stereotyped, unchangeable sequences of behaviour (e.g. aggressive attack).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is the key study in IRM’s and FAP’s?

A

Tinbergen –> male stickleback =

  • stickleback aggressive if model had a red spot, even if it wasn’t shaped as a stickleback.
  • IRM –> triggered by red dot.
  • FAP –> aggression.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Evaluate the ethological explanation of aggression?

A

1) . Supporting research =
- Brunner (MAOA) + limbic system = shows aggression is genetic.
2) . Cultural differences in aggression =
- Nisbett = Southern US males = more aggressive than North.
- can’t be explained by innate instincts.
3) . Evidence against ritualistic aggression =
- Goodall = appeasement displays in Gombe chimpanzees didn’t inhibit aggression.
4) . Can’t generalise animal studies =
- Tinbergen = can’t say the same for humans.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What is the evolutionary explanation of aggression?

A

Aggression enhances reproductive success.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What is meant by sexual jealousy?

A
  • Greater in males.
  • Prevents cuckoldry (defence).
  • Drives aggressive strategies for retaining mates.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

What are mate retention strategies?

A

1) . Direct guarding = man controlling.

2) . Negative inducements = threats of consequences (kill myself).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

What is the key study into mate retention strategies and violence?

A

Shackleford =

  • couples completed questionnaires.
  • men using mate retention strategies = more likely to be violent.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

What is the evolutionary explanation of bullying?

A

It’s adaptive for males = signals desirable characteristics for females (e.g. dominance).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

Evaluate the evolutionary explanation of aggression?

A

1) , Research support =
- link Shackleford’s findings to cuckoldry.
2) . Can account for gender differences =
- females = avoid physical aggression (threatens offspring), use verbal instead.
3) . Real-life application =
- can lead to better anti-bullying interventions.
4) , Methodological issues =
- can’t conclude as research is only correlational, not fact.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

What is the 3 social-psychological explanations of aggression?

A

1) . Frustration-aggression hypothesis.
2) . SLT.
3) . De-individuation.

30
Q

What is the frustration-aggression hypothesis?

A

Frustration and aggression always go together.

31
Q

Who developed thee frustration-aggression hypothesis?

A

Dollard et al. =

  • If a goal is blocked, we get frustrated, which is relieved by aggression.
  • a cathartic experience.
32
Q

Why might aggression be displaced?

A

Because we may be frustrated indirectly (e.g. at government, or it may risk punishment).

  • so frustration is taken out on an object, or someone else.
33
Q

What is the key study in frustration-aggression?

A

Geen =

  • created frustration in students (doing jigsaw).
  • most frustrated = gave strongest electric shocks.
34
Q

Who studied the role of environmental cues in frustration-aggression?

A

Berkowitz and LePage =

  • students got frustrated, but only gave electric shocks when gun was presented.
35
Q

Evaluate the frustration-aggression hypothesis?

A

1) . Research support =
- meta-analysis –> frustration displaced when source of frustration is unavailable.
2) . Is aggression cathartic?
- Bushman = P. ‘venting’ anger made them more aggressive, not less.
3) . Negative affect theory =
- Berkowitz = it’s not just frustration that causes aggression, not every feeling leads to aggression.
4) . Real-life application =
- role of aggressive cues –> involved in USA gun debate.

36
Q

What is the SLT of aggression?

A

Learn to be aggressive directly and indirectly.

37
Q

How is aggression learned directly and indirectly?

A
  • Directly = operant conditioning.

- Indirectly = observational (vicarious).

38
Q

How is vicarious reinforcement linked to aggression?

A
  • Child observes models aggressive behaviour.

- Child observes consequence (rewarded = imitate).

39
Q

What are the cognitive mediational processes involved?

A

1) . Attention = notices aggressive behaviour.
2) . Retention = remember aggressive behaviour.
3) . Reproduction = repeats behaviour.
4) . Motivation = only repeat if the expect to be rewarded.

40
Q

What is self-effiicacy?

A

Child continues to be aggressive if it keeps getting rewarded –> motivates them.

41
Q

What is the key SLT study?

A

Bandura –> Bobo doll =

  • children observed adult model assault doll.
  • very close imitation of model (aggressive/non-aggressive model).
42
Q

What are the evaluations of the SLT on aggression?

A

1) . Supporting evidence =
- Poulin and Boivin = aggressive boys formed friendships, observed each others aggression.
2) . Cannot explain all aggression =
- can’t explain aggression where rewards are less obvious (anger, hostile aggression).
3) . Real-life application =
- media = if a character is rewarded for aggression, can influence children.
4) . Cultural differences =
- !Kung San children still behave aggressively without adults being aggressive (against norm).

43
Q

What is de-individuation?

A

Becoming aggressive in a crowd due to hidden identity.

44
Q

Which study is de-individuation seen in?

A

Zimbardo =

  • given guards reflective shades.
  • monitor behaviour less, so more likely to be aggressive.
45
Q

How does anonymity lead to aggression?

A
  • Less fear of retribution as unidentified.

- Provides fewer opportunities for people to judge behaviour as negative.

46
Q

What does Prentice-Dunn and Rogers say the role of self-awareness is in aggression?

A

Anonymity = reduces self-awareness =

  • attention focused on surrounding event.
  • pay less attention to own behaviour.
47
Q

What is the key study into de-individuation?

A

Dodd =

  • asked students to list what they would do if they could never be found out.
  • 36% responses = anti-social.
  • 26% = criminal acts.
  • 9% = pro-social.
48
Q

What are the evaluations of de-individuation?

A

1) . Research support =
- correlation between online anonymity and flaming (posting hostile images).
2) . Lack of support =
- Gergen et al. = de-individuation led to sexual behaviour but not aggression.
3) . De-individuation and situational cues =
- Johnson and Downing = P. dressed as nurses less aggressive than those as KKK.
4) . Real-life application =
- helps us understand aggressive behaviour in online games (those with anonymity).

49
Q

Why is institutional aggression in prisons studied?

A

To see if the person is aggression (disposition) or if its the situation that makes them aggressive.

50
Q

What model is used to explain the dispositional factor of prisoners?

A

The importation model –> Irwin and Cressy.

51
Q

What does Irwin and Cressy say the importation model is?

A

Inmates bring (import) their aggressive behaviour with them to prison.

  • use it to establish power and status in prison.
52
Q

What study supports the importation model?

A

DeLisi et al. =

  • studied juveniles who had negative dispositions (childhood trauma).
  • more likely to be violent which brought more attention.
53
Q

What are the evaluations of the importation model?

A

1) . Research support =
- offenders allocated to different prisons, equal amount of violence (disposition = key).
2) . Alternative explanation =
- ignores the role of officers = poorly ran prisons more likely to be more violent.

54
Q

What model is used to explain the situational factors in prisons?

A

Deprivation model –> Clemmer.

55
Q

What does Clemmer say the deprivation model is?

A
  • Prisoners deprived of ‘goods’, freedom and independence.

- Harsh conditions cause stress = frustration = violence.

56
Q

What study supports the deprivation model?

A

Steiner =

  • 512 US prisons.
  • situation-level factors predicted aggression in prison (e.g. high proportion of female staff, blacks, etc).
57
Q

What are the evaluations of the deprivation model?

A

1) . Supporting evidence =
- Cunningham = 35 prison homicides linked to deprivation (e.g. arguing over drugs).
2) . Contradictory research =
- Hensley et al. = no link between conjugal visits and reduced aggression (weren’t deprived but still aggressive).

58
Q

What are the 2 explanations of media influences on aggression?

A

1) . Effects of computer games.

2) . Desensitisation, disinhibition and cognitive priming.

59
Q

What are the 4 types of studies into the effects of computer games?

A

1) . Experimental = Bartholow and Anderson.
2) . Correlational = DeLisi et al.
3) . Longitudinal = Robertson et al.
4) . Meta-analysis = Andersen et al.

60
Q

What did Bartholow and Anderson find in their experiment on computer games?

A

Players of a violent game selected higher volumes of white noise than players of a non-violent game.

61
Q

What did DeLisi et al. find a correlation between?

A
  • 227 juveniles.

- aggression correlated with how often the juveniles played violent video games.

62
Q

What did Robertson et al. find in his longitudinal study on computer games?

A
  • 1037 people.

- time spent watching TV in childhood a reliable predictor of aggressive crimes as adults.

63
Q

What did Andersen et al. find in their meta-analysis?

A

136 studies.

  • violent computer games linked with aggression, including males and females.
64
Q

Evaluate thee effects of computer games?

A

1) . Cathartic? =
- playing games could be purging feelings, preventing them from occurring in real-life.
2) . Meta-analysis =
- usually on publish significant results, hard to redict original validity.
3) . Correlational studies =
- no cause-and-effect, so conclusions cannot be made.
4) . Experimental studies =
- artificial measures of aggression (no fear of retaliation), but maintains ethics.

65
Q

What is desensitisation?

A

Repeated viewing leads to reduced arousal = greater acceptance of aggression as a method of problem solving,

66
Q

What research support is there for desensitisation?

A

Krahe et al. =

  • showed P. violent film clips.
  • showed lower arousal and more proactive aggression due to regular exposure to violent media.
67
Q

What is disinhibition?

A

Violent media gives aggressive behaviour social approval =

  • loosens social restraints.
  • reduced inhibitions, creating new social norms.
68
Q

What research support is there for disinhibition?

A

Berkowitz and Alioto =

  • more electric shocks given when viewed justified violent media (vengeance).
69
Q

What is cognitive priming?

A

Metal triggers =

  • aggressive media provides a ‘script’ about violent situations.
  • these are readied where we perceive aggressive cues.
70
Q

What is the practical application of cognitive priming?

A

Bushman and Anderson =

  • someone who watches violent media accessed stored aggressive ‘scripts’ –> more likely to interpret aggressive cues in real-life.
  • allows intervention of cues to inhibit aggression.
71
Q

Whats an alternative explanation of desensitisation?

A

Krahe et al.

  • cant find link between media viewing and reactive aggression –> could be cathartic and desensitisation can’t explain this.

Psychology Paper 3 (Shortened) (3 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions