Aggression Flashcards
History of aggression?
Historically, there is no consensus surrounding aggression and definition varies by culture. People tend to agree that inflicting harm and intent on part of actor to harm.
Frustration-aggression hypothesis
Aggression is caused by frustration - goal striving is cathartic so being impeded causes frustration. Psyche relieves pressure through aggression.
However, frustration does not always lead to aggression and aggression can occur in the absence of frustration.
Excitation transfer model
Zillmann argued that residual arousal from an unrelated event can feed into aggression in separate situation. Aggression is cued by the environment and aggression can become dominant response.
Operant conditioning effect on violence
Using aggression to achieve aim reinforces use of aggression in future
Social learning theory
Bandura found that watching someone else being aggressive but achieving aims makes it more likely for others to follow same pattern. Children observing adults being aggressive towards the bobo doll were also aggressive; this was reversed if the adult was gentle/caring. Criticisms include no person being hurt and situation being too removed.
The Media’s effect on aggression in society
People believe aggression develops in children through exposure to violence in the media. Violent media has been found to have short-term effects on aggression but 2001 paper stated that even brief exposure to violent TV/movies increases aggressiveness and is a significant risk factor in youth violence.
Violent video games
Studies have very conflicting findings. Players can become more hostile in thoughts and feelings. Violent video games can increase aggressive behaviour and males/females equally at risk of this. However, more recent studies have found that video games have decreased crime rates.
