Aggression - (week 9) Flashcards
Describe the nature of aggression, and the different types of aggression.
Direct = physical / verbal attacks Indirect = attack on social relationships
Proactive = instrumental (harm inflicted as means to desired end) Reactive = emotional (inflicted for its own sake; reaction)
What factors might increase aggression? How could we reduce aggression?
Contributing to aggression:
- negative feelings
- aggressive cues
- learning
- individual differences
- alcohol
Reducing aggression:
- punishment
- catharsis
What is the Frustration-Aggression Hypothesis?
- Frustration ALWAYS elicits motive to aggress
- Aggression is caused by frustration
- Motive to aggress is a psychological drive, that resembles a physiological drive
- Can lead to displacement = aggressing against substitute target
- Catharsis = can reduce motive to aggress –> imagining an aggressive act
What was one of the early experiments examining frustration/ aggression?
In the 1940s, researchers conducted an experiment with children, whereby there were two experimental conditions.
1) children in condition 1, had to wait to play with toys
2) children in condition 2, could play with the toys straight away.
Frustration was high for children who had to wait and play with toys -> high frustration led to aggressive/ destructive behaviour (children smashed toys and threw them around).
Grounded in the frustration aggression hypothesis.
Frustration is greater when:
- people are close to reaching their goal
- the obstacle is unexpected
BUT:
- frustration does not always cause aggressive behaviour
- there can be other sources that create aggression
What were some other further conclusions drawn from the frustration-aggression hypothesis? What was further revised
It is actually the negative feelings, not the frustration itself, that triggers aggression.
Other factors:
provocation = insults increase aggression
pain = hand in cold water –> more aggression
heat = triggers more aggression
offensive odors
air pollution
What are the limits related to aggression?
When negativity is too intense, escape or fatigue become more dominant –> aggression decreases.
Describe the experiment related to aggression? And weapons
Participants were angered/ not angered by a confederate, they received either 1 shock, or 7 shocks.
Participants gave confederate shocks in a room containing
a) no objects
b) guns
3) badminton racquets
Results found that participants were more angered by the confederates, were more angry in the presence of guns in the room. Highest level of aggression when there were guns in the room.
What is the theory behind how we learn aggression? Describe the influential study (Bandura)
Bandura’s social learning theory = observing others affects likelihood of future aggressive responses.
Study = BOBO doll study
Kids were primed for aggression when they observed a model who used aggressive/ non-aggressive behaviour
Exposure to aggressive modelling appealed children to guns (even though it wasn’t shown).
Further findings from this study:
- boys were more aggressive
- strong effect when exposed to the same sex modelling
- children imitate behaviour, and come up with novel forms of aggression
(Side note: also consider operant conditioning, where we provide positive/ negative, reinforcements and punishments to drive/shape behaviour)
What was concluded in Liebert and Baron’s experiment about violent TV shows and aggressive behaviour?
Children were randomly assigned to watch
a) violent TV show (police)
b) exciting but non-violent TV show (sporting event)
DV: willingness to help another child: press “help” or “hurt” button
Conclusion: evidence for more aggressive behaviours was strong when violence was described as:
- real, morally justified, revenge, someone participants identify with, approved by an adult
What was concluded about aggressive video games and prosocial behaviour?
Violent games = increased aggressive behaviours/ cognitions, and decreased prosocial behaviour
Prosocial games = low aggressive behaviour, increased prosocial effect
Describe the culture of “Honour” studies.
Emphasis placed on honour of status
Aggression used to protect honour
US study: northerners, and southerners;
a) insult condition: confederate bumps into participants should and calls them an asshole
b) no insult condition
Findings:
- hormone levels increased (cortisol and testosterone; stress & aggression)
- southerner males; increased levels
What are some individual difference factors to aggression?
Narcissism = grand view of self; feeling aggressed when they are provoked or targeted
Self-control = ability to control impulses
Alcohol myopia = effects of alcohol on cognitive processes
Inhibition conflict
Describe the study in relation to Alcohol Myopia?
Participants were given alcohol VS placebo drink (two conditions).
Those intoxicated were more aggressive, and therefore gave more shocks.
How could we reduce aggression?
Punishment: operant conditioning
Catharsis: release pent up aggression through other modes of release
Increase empathy: engage in others’ perspective
Increase self-control
