Aggression AO3

Question 1

strength 1 of neural/hormonal mechanisms

Answer 1

I: sup evi for role of limbic system

E: ultimatum game and FMRI - proposer/receivers- when offered unfair amount of money stimulation in amygdala increased (aggressive response)

C: adds validity

Question 2

strength 2 of neural/hormonal mechanisms

Answer 2

I: sup evi for role of serotonin

E: pps given either anti depressant or placebo and were then asked to give shocks to a confederate who mad a mistake on another task- less shocks were given by pps with history of aggression who had anti depressants that increased serotonin levels

C: adds validity

Question 3

weakness of neural/hormonal mechanisms

Answer 3

I: methodological flaws- lack mundane realism

E: lab based games (ultimatum game) unlike real life- artificial and have no consequence for aggressive reaction or risk of retaliation that may occur in real world reducing aggression

C:reduces validity and generalisability

Question 4

strength 3 of neural/hormonal mechanisms

Answer 4

I: sup evi for role of testosterone

E: 60 male offenders from max security prisons - testosterone levels and aggression measured- positive correlation found

C:adds validity

Question 5

weakness 2 of neural/hormonal mechanisms

Answer 5

I: sup evi for testosterone is correlational

E: cant establish cause and effect- could be environmental factors that have impact of aggression levels e.g. upbringing and role models.

C: decreases validity

Question 6

strength 1 of genetic factors

Answer 6

I:sup evi for twin and adoption studies

E: (hutchings)- meta analysis of 14000 adopted people in denmark- positive correlation found between number of violent convictions among biological parent and adopted sons.

C: adds validity

Question 7

weakness 1 of genetic factors

Answer 7

I: method issues with twin studies

E: concordance rates in MZ twins never 100% despite 100% genes shared- must be some environmental factor affecting levels of aggression- concordance may be higher than DZs due to more similar environment

C: reduces validity

Question 8

strength 2 of genetic factors

Answer 8

I: sup evi for role of MAOA

E: 28 members of dutch family all involved in murder, rape and assaults- all have MAOA-L gene

C: add validity

Question 9

weakness 2 of genetic factors

Answer 9

I: gene-environment interactions must be considered

E: research has found association between aggression/antisocial behaviour and MAOA-L gene but only for those with childhood trauma

C: reduces validity

Question 10

strength 1 of ethological explanations

Answer 10

I: sup evi for ritualistic aggression in humans

E: Yonomamo people use chest pounding and club fights to settle conflict before extreme aggression

C:Adds validity

Question 11

weakness 1 of ethological explanations

Answer 11

I:Cont evi for ritualistic aggression in animals

E:Study on chimpanzees show male chimps slaughtering all members of another group in coordinated attacks despite defencelessness

C: Reduces validity

Question 12

weakness 2 of ethological explanations

Answer 12

I:Evidence aggression is not universal or independent of individual experience

E: environmental factors can influence aggressive behaviour in animals- FAP now Model action patterns with differences amongst the same species

C:Incomplete explanation

Question 13

weakness 3 of ethological explanations

Answer 13

I:Culturally relative and not universal

E: (Nisbett)Lab experiment with South and north American white males insulted- South Americans had more aggressive responses

C:Can’t be generalised

Question 14

strength 1 of evolutionary explanations (SJ)

Answer 14

I:Sup evi for sexual jealousy

E: Research into intimate partner violence using self-report shows positive correlation between reports of mate retention tactics and violence

C:Add validity

Question 15

strength 2 of evolutionary explanations (WF)

Answer 15

I: supporting evidence for warfare

E:Yanamamo tribe showed constant fighting to access females and improve status- successful warriors had more wives and children

C: add validity that aggression in warfare has reproductive benefits

Question 16

strength 3 of evolutionary explanations

Answer 16

I:Accounts for gender differences

E: there are few warrior female societies as women risk loss of offspring and reproductive damage from aggression- use verbal aggression instead

C: valid in showing why females use aggression less

Question 17

weakness 1 of evolutionary explanations

Answer 17

I:Method issues with supporting evidence

E:Correlational and self-report could be third factor such as substance misuse leading to violence or inaccurate information given

C: can’t establish cause and effect

Question 18

weakness 2 of evolutionary explanations

Answer 18

I:Aggression not always adaptive

E:Could be maladaptive as aggressive males may not appear attractive female mate due to risk of injury and death

C:Reduces validity

Question 19

strength 1 of frustration aggression hypothesis

Answer 19

I:Supporting experimental evidence

E: (Geen)- used impossible jigsaw to frustrate male Pps Before asking them to give electric shock to Confederate who made a mistake on another task frustrated participants gave more intense shocks than controls

C: Adds validity

Question 20

strength 2 of frustration aggression hypothesis

Answer 20

I: supporting evidence for revised model

E: (pricks) Swedish football hooliganism investigated- found that more objects were thrown when team performed worse than expected

C: add validity that Unanticipated events cause aggression

Question 21

strength 3 of frustration aggression hypothesis

Answer 21

I:Further supporting evidence for revised model

E: (Reifman) Examined baseball games and found as temperature is increased so did the display of aggressive behaviour of pitchers towards batters (higher ball speeds)

C:Add validity

Question 22

weakness of frustration aggression hypothesis

Answer 22

I:Contradictory evidence for catharsis

E: (bushman) found frustrated participants you vented anger by hitting punchbag were more aggressive in later task than those who didn’t vent

C:Reduces the validity

Question 23

strength 1 of social learning theory

Answer 23

I:Supporting evidence

E: Bandura Bobo doll study- Children who watched aggressive model when more aggressive themselves than non-aggressive model condition

C:Add validity to observation and imitation of role models

Question 24

strength 2 of social learning theory

Answer 24

I:Supporting evidence from replications of research

E:Replication of Bobo doll study found that children are more likely to imitate aggressive behaviour if model was rewarded with toy or cookie rather than defeated as punishment

C: Add validity to vicarious reinforcement

Question 25

weakness of social learning theory

Answer 25

I: methodological flaws with sup evi E: Bobo doll on like real person as it’s designed to be hit and can’t retaliate- Unlike real life as people can fight back C:Reduces validity

Question 26

strength 3 of social learning theory

Answer 26

I:Can explain cultural differences E:!Kung san culture of Kalahari desert-Aggression not vicariously reinforced due to discouragement therefore less aggression is seen as there are no models to imitate and no motivation C:Add validity of vicarious reinforcement increasing aggression

Question 27

strength 1 of deindividuation

Answer 27

I:Sup evidence from real life E: 60 Newspaper reports on lynching- those in lynch mob more likely to aggressively kill victims C:Increase validity of link between group size and deindividuation

Question 28

weakness 1 of deindividuation

Answer 28

I:Methodological floors with evidence E: EVs Such as aggressive role models and biological factors could’ve caused aggression C:Decrease his validity as cause-and-effect can’t be established

Question 29

strength 2 of deindividuation

Answer 29

I:Supporting experimental evidence E: Zimbardo- Instructed students to give shocks to Confederate- more shocks given when wearing hooded coat compared to nametags C: Adds validity that anonymity increases aggression

Question 30

weakness 2 of deindividuation

Answer 30

I:Contradictory evidence E: (Johnson/downing)- students instructed to give electric shocks in one of three outfits: hooded cloak nurses outfit or normal close More shocks given in normal clothes the nurses outfit C: decreases validity at that uniform has an effect

Question 31

strength of importation model

Answer 31

I:Supporting evidence E: DeLisi- Studied juvenile delinquents for violence in prison- those with childhood trauma and drug abuse history is one more violent than control group with no history of this C: adds validity that pre-existing factors cause aggression

Question 32

weakness of importation model

Answer 32

I:Alternative explanations E:Ignores role of prison officials research shows poorly manage prisons have more extreme violence from inmates and weak leadership and distant staff can cause riots and violence C: reduces validity- Situation of factors have effect

Question 33

strength 1 of deprivation model

Answer 33

I:Supporting evidence E: research found Overcrowding lack of privacy and lack of activities in prison significantly influenced likelihood of violence (Light)- Overcrowding in male prisoners increases the level of violence directly C:Add validity

Question 34

weakness of deprivation model

Answer 34

I:Contradictory evidence E: Two prisons in Mississippi with conjugal visits for heterosexual relationships found that this did not reduce aggressive behaviour C:Reduces the validity

Question 35

strength 2 of deprivation model

Answer 35

I:Real-world application E:1990- HMP Woodhill prison- Two units for violent prisoners with more space, outdoor views and reduced noise and temperature virtually stopped any assaults from prisoners C:Can improve prisons in real world

Question 36

weakness 1 of media influences on aggression

Answer 36

I:Method issues with lab experiments- lack mundane realism E:Use artificial and unrealistic tasks such as TCRRT that are unlike violence in real life C: Can’t be generalised to real life

Question 37

strength of media influences on aggression

Answer 37

I:Lab experiments have good internal validity E:Involve standardise procedures for example length of time playing video games - EVs controlled C: Increases validity

Question 38

weakness 2 of media influences on aggression

Answer 38

I:Method issues with correlational research E:Can’t establish cause and effect -maybe that aggressive people choose violent games (selection hypothesis) C:Can’t establish causality

Question 39

weakness 3 of media influences on aggression

Answer 39

I:Issues with meta-analysis research E:Publication bias as non-significant results aren’t published so affects of violent media may be overstated (however Anderson did use non-significant studies to reduce bias) C:Violet media may have less effect than suggested

Question 40

strength 1 of explanation of media influences on aggression

Answer 40

I:Supporting evidence for desensitisation E: showed university students one of four films 1) sexual aggression against a male 2)Sexual aggression against female 3)Physical aggression 4) neutral film Then asked participants to complete questionnaire about acceptance of aggression and empathy- Then shown rape trial re-enactment and gave questionnaire- found males who watched violent films were more accepting of violence and are less sympathetic. C:Add validity

Question 41

strength 2 of explanation of media influences on aggression

Answer 41

I:Supporting evidence for disinhibition E:Lab experiment showed participants who saw film depicting aggression as vengeance gave more electric shocks to Confederate C: add validity of aggression seen as acceptable

Question 42

strength 3 of explanation of media influences on aggression

Answer 42

I:Supporting evidence for cognitive priming E:Male participants exposed to aggressive song lyrics more likely it to give higher levels of chilli sauce to female Confederates than those who heard a neutral lyrics C:Add validity that media primes aggression

Question 43

strength 4 of explanation of media influences on aggression

Answer 43

I:Practical application E:American army recruits individuals who are habitual uses a violent media due to disinhibited response to aggression that increases aggressive behaviour and quick responses to threat increasing survival and protection C:Helped in recruitment for American army

Question 44

weakness of explanation of media influences on aggression

Answer 44

I:Cognitive priming less likely it with unrealistic media E:Game realism is important as fictional violence doesn’t provide same priming affect and may lead to less aggressive thoughts C:Reduces the validity as media influencers doesn’t apply to all forms of media