Aggression Flashcards
aggression defined
any form of behaviour intended to hard someone or something
- intent us hard to define, but important to the definition
- acts intended to harm one’s self are aggressive
assertiveness (the ability to assert your rights) is not aggression
- no harm or violation of others’ right
instrumental aggression
- also known as proactive aggression (deliberate)
- aggression is a means to an end
- generally a “cool” or rational decision
- includes aggression carried out to avoid punishment
- goal is to get something
- thought out
hostile aggression
- also known as reactive aggression (triggered, not thought out)
- triggered by anger (no other goal than to cause pain or damage
- generally impulsive, “hot”
- sarcastic humor is a kind of hostile aggression
- goal is harm
gender and aggression
- men engage in more physical (overt - more obvious) aggression, than women
- women view physical aggression as a loss of self control
- men view physical aggression as exerting control
- there are few gender differences in verbal aggression
- women are more likely to use indirect, than direct aggression (women use more indirect - relational, verbal aggression (gossip)
personality and aggression
3 traits associated with aggression:
1) irritability (type A personality)
2) rumination
3) emotional susceptibility (insecurity, anxiety, PTSD, depression)
- unstable high self esteem can produce aggressive responses (vulnerable to criticism)
- aggression prone individuals focus on immediate not long term consequences
intergroup aggression
- often more severe than interpersonal aggression (groups can be more aggressive than 1 on 1)
Reasons: - realistic group conflict escalates hostility (Robbers Cave Study)
- groups delegitimatize members of other groups (outgroup = “enemies”
- group polarization causes extreme views and behaviour
evolution and aggression
aggression can be seen as an adaptive response in many species (innate reaction)
- aggressive males gain sexual access to females
- aggression secure resources
- aggression aids the survival of thee group
levels of aggression vary widely among cultures
- culture can shape evolutionary impulses
- aggression might be necessary for survival
human biology and aggression
- studies of twins show that individual aggression has an inherited component - the role of genes
- environment also play a major role
- testosterone is clearly linked to human aggression
- low levels of serotonin can impeded the ability to inhibit aggressive responses
frustration - aggression hypothesis
early formulation:
- all frustration leads to aggression (depends on the individual, not always true)
- all aggression comes from frustration
- aggression results in catharsis
current thinking:
- frustration often leads to aggressive impulses, especially when the frustration seems intentional and unfair
- if aggression can be delayed, it is less likely to occur
catharsis
- the common belief is that you can “vent” your anger and get rid of it - this is not supported by research
- indirect venting (hitting a pillow instead of a person)) does not appear to reduce aggression
- direct venting (against the person who caused your frustration) increases aggression
- despite the evidence, people continue to believe in catharsis
cognitive influences: unpleasant situations
- negative emotions can become encoded with thoughts and reflexive behaviours
- aversive (stressful) situations can increase the urge for both fight and flight (unconscious)
- impulsive reactions can result (although higher order thinking can change the result)
- hot temperatures increase aggression
- aggressive cues can trigger aggression
- cognitive behavioural thinking can target aggression (changing your way of thinking)
cognitive neoassociation model of hostile aggression
check notes
alcohol and aggression
- alcohol is involved in about 50% of violent crimes
alcohol reduces: - inhibitions against aggression
- attention to personal and social standards
people are expected to behave a certain way when drunk (self fulfilling prophecy for inappropriate behaviour)
mediexcitation transfer (arousal )
- as with attraction, physical arousal can increase aggression
- stimuli that have produced increased aggression in studies include:
- physical exercise
- loud noise
- vigorous music
- violent music
social learning theory (Bandura)
- behaviour that is rewarded is likely to recur
- people learn by watching that for which others are rewarded
- children are most likely to model the behaviour of those they are close to and those with authority
- Bandura’s bobo doll study
- children imitate aggressive acts of those who commit them seem to gain reward
- observation of aggressive acts can generate aggressive scripts for handling problems
media violence
- violent TV and movies are related to increase violent behaviour (in both the short term and the long term)
- music with violent lyrics is related to increase aggressive thinking behaviour
- playing violent video games produces increased tendencies towards violence
media coverage and copycat violence
the tendency for sensational publicity about violence, murders, or suicide to result in more of the same through imitation
- observational learning
- deindividuation
- one form of copycat violence is copycat suicide
- the media spotlight confers a sense of prestige
culture of honor
- develop in lawless societies where authorities can’t provide protection (eg. more common in ranching based economy than farming because livestock can be stolen)
- honor is the most valued personal quality
- insults must be met with an aggressive response
- usually co-occurs with strong norms or politeness
pornography and the “rape myth”
- pornography findings = sexual material and abuse or degradation
- the rape myth is the false belief that women enjoy forcible sex
- media showing sexual aggression increased male viewers endorsement if rape myth
- media does need to be “hardcore” to have this effect
pornography and aggression
- in lab studies, exposure to violent pornography increases aggression against a female confederate (when the pornography contained a message that women enjoy the violence)
- in correlational studies, the amount of available pornography does not correlate with rape rates
punishing aggression
punishment can reduce aggression when it is:
- prompt
- relatively strong
- consistently applied
even under these circumstances, punishment may be ineffective
- may produce more anger
- may model violent behaviour
other ways to reduce aggression
- induce incompatible responses (eg laughter) - defuse aggression
- model nonaggressive behaviour
- internalize anti aggressive beliefs (changing cognition)
- offer apologies
- improve social skills (negotiation, conflict resolution, cooperative problem solving)
