Aggression Flashcards
Define aggression.
- Behaviour that is intended to injure a person or to destroy property.
- ‘who does not wish to be harmed’.
What is violence?
Aggression that has extreme physical harm.
List 5 types of aggression.
1 - Hostile / impulsive aggression.
2 - Instrumental aggression.
3 - Proactive aggression.
4 - Reactive aggression.
5 - Relational aggression.
Define hostile / impulsive aggression.
Aggression aimed solely at hurting another (excluding self-defence).
Define instrumental aggression.
- Aggression used as a means to an end / goal.
- Often controlled, planned / premeditated.
Define proactive and reactive aggression.
Reactive aggression is an impulsive and provoked, whereas proactive aggression is not.
Define relational aggression.
Hostile aggression that does damage to another’s peer relationships.
Give an example of two opposing theories for aggression.
The psychoanalytic theory (Freud) vs the social learning theory (Bandura). (nature vs nurture).
What is the psychoanalytic theory in regards to aggression?
- Aggression is an innate drive (this is an ethological theory).
- When expression of natural (e.g. sexual) instincts are frustrated, an aggressive drive is induced.
What is the social learning theory in regards to aggression?
Aggression is a learned response.
What is the frustration-aggression hypothesis (a revised Berkowitz theory)?
- Aggression is a consequence of frustration.
- The existence of frustration always leads to some form of aggression.
What is the aggressive cue theory (Berkowitz)?
- Frustration produces anger, which leads to aggression because frustration is psychologically painful, and anything that is psychologically or physically painful can lead to aggression.
- For psychological pain to be converted into aggression, cues are needed.
What are Lorenz’s theories about aggression?
- Ethological perspective:
- Aggression is a fighting instinct inter- and intra-species.
- It is important in evolutionary development as it allows for successful reproduction by promoting dominance.
What is Bandura’s social learning theory?
- Aggressive behaviours are affected by:
1 - Past learning.
2 - Current rewards and punishments.
3 - Social and environmental factors.
According to Bandura’s social learning theory, how are aggressive behaviours learnt?
- Through observational learning.
- Through reinforcement and imitation of aggressive people / models.
What is Anderson and Bushman’s general aggression model?
A framework for aggression that considers the role of social, cognitive, personality, developmental and biological factors on aggression.
Define deindividuation.
- Certain group situations can minimise people’s identities, reduce their sense of public accountability and produce aggressive or unusual behaviour.
- e.g. group size (riots) or anonymity (electric shock experiment).
Why might deindividuation not lead to aggressive behaviour?
Although personal identity might be reduced, deindividuation can enhance group identity.
- Deindividuation may increase identification with a non-aggressive personality, leading individuals to conform to perceived expected behaviour.
List 5 factors that might explain individual differences in aggression.
1 - Self-esteem.
2 - Sensation-seeking.
3 - Impulsivity.
4 - Culture.
5 - Environment.
How does aggression differ between men and women?
Generally, men display overt aggression whereas women display relational aggression.
How do the health consequences of overt aggression differ between men and women?
- In men, overt aggression predicts increased alcohol use.
- In women, overt aggression predicts greater social anxiety, loneliness, depression and alcohol / drug use.
Which 6 neuroanatomical areas are involved in aggression?
1 - Prefrontal areas, e.g. orbitofrontal cortex.
2 - Amygdala (greater volume = increased aggression!).
3 - Hippocampus.
4 - Hypothalamus.
5 - Anterior cingulate cortex.
6 - Insula.
List 5 hormones and / or neuromodulators that are involved in aggression.
List the relative concentrations at which they tend to promote aggressive behaviours.
1 - Serotonin (low).
2 - Testosterone (high, before birth and in early childhood).
3 - Cortisol (low).
4 - Dopamine (high).
5 - Noradrenaline (high).
List 4 ways in which brain functioning can affect aggression.
1 - Increased arousal interferes with ability to think.
2 - Decreased ability to inhibit impulses.
3 - Impairment of attention, concentration, memory and higher mental processes.
4 - Misinterpretation of external stimuli and events.
Why might reduced GABA, enhanced glutamate and enhanced acetylcholine increase aggression?
Can lead to:
1 - Hyperactivity of amygdala.
2 - Emotional hypersensitivity.
What is the MAOA gene?
- The ‘warrior gene’, a gene encoding the mitochondrial enzyme monoamine oxidase A.
- MAOA catalyses the oxidative deamination of amines such as dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin to deactivate them.
What relevance might the MAOA gene have on aggression?
- A high activity MAOA gene has been shown to reduce aggression.
- High activity MAOA means more deamination / deactivation of e.g. dopamine and noradrenaline.
What is Brunner syndrome?
- MAOA deficiency.
- Low IQ, impulsivity, hypersexuality, violenze.
How do the amygdala and insula differ from the orbitofrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex in terms of their roles in aggression?
- The amygdala and insula act as the ‘bottom-up drive’ / trigger for aggression.
- The orbitofrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex act as the ‘top-down brakes’ / suppressors and regulators of aggression.
List 7 warning signs of aggressive behaviour.
1 - Irritability.
2 - Fast speech.
3 - Restless pacing.
4 - Loud voice.
5 - Glaring eyes.
6 - Verbal threats.
7 - Intrusion into others’ personal space.
