Agression Flashcards

Question

Genetic aggression A01 twin studies

Answer 1

-several twin studies have suggested that heritability accounts for around 50% of the variance in aggressive behaviour -studies have compared aggression levels ofMZ and DZ twins e.g looking at ppl with a history of violent and criminal behaviour and comparing them with their twin -higher the concordance rate the higher the likelihood their behaviour was biologically determined e,g genes -MZ share 100% of Genes -DZ share 50% -we would expect to find greater similarities in aggressive behaviour of MZ twin Coccao et al using twin pairs found 50% of genetic variance in direct aggressive behaviour could be attributed to genetics Concordance rate for direct aggressive behaviour was -50% MZ -19% DZ -verbal aggression: - 28% MZ 7% DZ

Answer 2

-such as Ritter et al: compare aggressive behaviour of adoptees to there bio parents and their adoptive parents -research suggests that criminality and aggression does have some inherited factors as the ps history was similar to that of estranged bio parents -inherited could explain about 41% varianc -compared to adoptive who brought them up Genetic effect: is implied if there is a positive correlation found between aggression of child and bio parents -environmental effect: implied if a positive correlation of aggression if found between adopted child and aggressive behaviour in the rearing family

Answer 3

-combined the results of 51 twin and adoption studies in a meta analysis and demonstrated a string genetic basis for aggression -they found the age of the ps and assessment method of aggression influence the expression of aggression

Answer 4

-MOAO enzyme breaks down NT for the body to use, serotonin, dopamine etc -serotonin has been linked to mood specifically in the balancing of mood -I.e. low or disrupted levels of serotonin may be a factor in effective disorders such as depression and also in aggressive behaviour -A dysfunctional MAOA gene may lead to an imbalance of serotonin and possibly to an increase in aggressive behaviour. -One variant of the gene is associated with high levels of MAOA (MAOA-H) and another variant is associated with low levels (MAOA-L)

Answer 5

-supporting evidence showing genetic factors in aggression - Brunner et al on studied dutch families and found the males that behaved In a violent and aggressive manner -were involved in serious crimes of violence including arson and rape -had abnormally low levels of MAOA gene in their bodies -therefore this is a strength as it provides evidence for the MAOA gene in severe dismayed old aggressive behaviour - however this does not explain smaller displays of aggression in every day life, and not everyone shows aggression will have a dysfunction in this generation -therefore it can only explain physical extreme type of aggression and not smaller types - and cannot explain why people without this gene act aggressively - so we cannot conclude that the MAOA gene is the sole cause of aggression, over factors must be involved.

Answer 6

-research comes from Miles and Carey who conducted a meta analysis on 24 twin and adoption studies and demonstrated a genetic basis for aggression - the results suggested a string genetic influence that could account for s much as 50% of the variance in aggression, and at later ages the influence of genes affected behaviour more -therefore is a strength as it shows the large role that genetics have on the influence of aggression - however while 50% does suggest a strong genetic basis supporting the implication of genetic factors it also points to other factors having an influence, most notably age and environment - so it reduces the explainative power of genetic factors in aggression

Answer 7

-research looking at the influence of genes are low in generalisability -e.g tiihoen et al studies Finnish prisoners and revealed that the MAOA gene in combo with the CDH13 gene is implicated in severe violent behaviour such as murder - however this research was based solely on MALE CRIMINALS -this reduces the generalisability of the research findings as it fails to explain people who have acted aggressively and not been convicted for aggression and aggression in women -similarly in brunners study he looked at DUTH MALES, so fails to contribute to women in aggression - this is a limitation of the research on genetic factors in aggression because it cannot be generalised to the whole population which reduces its applicability Similarly the generalisability of twin studies or men active aggressively will be limited a=in how they explain the whole populations behaviour

Answer 8

-There is Evidence which has identified that faulty MAOA gene is linked to aggression but only those who experience trauma fails to show them working in isolation •For example the research by Caspi et al in 2002 linked the MAOA gene to aggressive behaviour. Out of 500 male children, those with the MAOA-L variant were significantly more likely to grow up and exhibit anti social behaviour. However, this only occurred if they had been maltreated as children. This therefore suggests that genes alone cannot cause aggressive behaviour, because the environment has some influence on aggression. •This is a limitation of the explanation of genes in aggression because it highlights the fact that the theory is too reductionist to comprehensively explain aggression. This points to the idea of using a different explanation which explains how genetic vulnerability interacts with environmental stressors to produce the behaviour, which suggests a more interactionist approach should be taken to explaining aggression.

Answer 9

Studies the behaviour of animals in their natural environment stressing the adaptive value of their behaviour - says aggression is adaptive for survival As it reduces mate competition and establishes dominance Renz stated that the most adaptive type of aggression is ritualistic as it can assert dominance but also means they are not harmed or impaired their child bearing abilities -aggression served as a purpose of establishing social hierarchy -For example the most dominant male will exert power over the others in a social group gaining special status so just been giving the first opportunity to hunt or having mating rights over females.

Answer 10

A ritual involves carrying out certain behaviours in a certain order -For example certain ritualistic displays of aggression which occurr before a physical fight -These techniques are used to scare off the opponent before it reaches the point of physical aggression E.G bearing clause or growling -Lorenz identified ritualistic behaviour of a defeated animal as well -E.g cowering or whimpering -Chimps who lose a fight often lose their head to victor -Wolves will show their neck when they are defeated to show that the vet could rip out their throat with one bite and kill them if they wished -It’s rare the victor would kill the opponent as it would affect their own genetic bloodline therefore these rituals serve to display the winner of a fight

Answer 11

This is a biological structure or process which is activated by a signed stimulus which will then trigger a fixed action process (FAP) -an environmental stimulus such as a facial expression could trigger this IRM which will then release a specific sequence of behaviour the FAP - faps is a sequence of stereotypical innate behaviours that are a response shown by all members of the species and once triggered it cannot be stopped -We found the FAP’s have six main feature -Stereotype-the behaviour occurs in the same way -Universal-the behaviour is the same in every individual of a species -Unaffected by learning-the same for everyone regardless of learning -Ballistic- once triggered it can be changed or stopped -Single purpose-it only occurred in a specific situation -specific trigger-a response to an identifiable specific stimulus SUUBSS

Answer 12

Supporting research comes from Tinberg with stickleback fish -Which showed males produced a fixed sequence of aggressive behaviour when another male entered his territory -The science stimulus was the site of the males red underbelly -There was no attacking behaviour if the signed stimulus was not visible -This evidence is the role of a science stimulus in the expression of aggression in animals -It supports the presence of a assigned stimulus in triggering the innate releasing mechanism and fixed action pattern of aggress -However it is not comprehensive to generalise human behaviour from animal research which therefore reduces the value of the research in explaining human aggression

Answer 13

A limitation is that it is an oversimplification of aggression Not every human will respond to the same sign stimulus in the same way -We are more complex and our behaviour is governed by the variation between our environmental upbringing -The association went with every time stimulus will be different depending on the person -Therefore this view cannot be used to explain human behaviour as animal research generalise his findings onto more complex organisms who are governed by feelings social doctrine and memory -This is a limitation because it suggests that the biological reaction alone can’t explain human aggression and more interactions approach should be considered

Answer 14

The rate of societal change makes it impossible for fixed action patterns to develop in humans -It’s more useful for humans to be able to adopt flexible behaviours then develop fixed action patterns -Learn behaviours and more helpful to humans -Which is why it’s difficult to identify fixed action patterns in human behaviour -One place they are presenting is in babies i.e. they grab things -Beyond this human show variation in response -Therefore it suggests that the fixed action patterns have lost their importance in human behaviour - So therefore is a limitation as it’s not necessarily applicable to human aggression in modern day life

Answer 15

- chagnon found anthropological evidence for ritualised aggression in tribal warfare in humans -The Yanomami people of South Africa settle conflict by chest pounding and club fighting -This shows that even in relatively violent cultures rituals have the effect of reducing actual aggression and preventing injury and death of combatants -This evidence supports the theory of ritualistic aggression not only an animal behaviour but also in human behaviour making it more reliable than other supporting research E.G on sickle backs increasing the explanation power of illogical explanations

Answer 16

Focuses on the adaptive nature of behaviour -Would’ve been effective for solving a number of survival and reproductive issues among humans -For example in our ancestors when resources were low males became more aggressive -Oh for example eliminating male rivals for females defending resources solving these problems enhanced survival and reproductive success of the individual and therefore these behaviours will have spread through the gene becoming more common amongst all humans

Answer 17

-arise because of eternal uncertainty -Males are at risk of cuckoldry- do not know whether they are the father of a child- - The reproductive cost being that they may use their resources to raise another man’s offspring -It’s an adaptive function to deter part infidelity leading to violence towards the partner or love rival -Is the primary cause of violence towards women those perceived as unfaithful and more at risk of violence -Wilson Delhi identified several mate retention strategies used by males; -Direct guarding: keeping tabs on the partner to ensure they are not seeing other men E.G controlling with their partner goes and who they’re allowed to spend time with -negative inducements: threatening their partner if they act in away which he doesn’t want them to E.G saying they’ll hurt themselves if the partner tries to leave them

Answer 18

-and males seeking access to females would’ve had to compete with other males -Away eliminating competition would be through aggression - The successful individual would have increased their social status and be more successful in acquiring and protecting their mates from competing males and would be more successful in passing on their genes to the offspring -This would then lead to development of genetically transmitted tendency for males to be more aggressive to other males

Answer 19

-research from puts - Argued that male traits seem to imply that was competition between ancestral males - Men have 75% more muscle mass than women -Are more aggressive and anthropological evidence shows them to have thicker jaw bones which puts believed may have come from men hitting eachother - With the thickest bone man surviving and passing on their genes to subsequent generation -These bio changes indicate physical adaptations that have evolved alongside behavioural adaptations of aggression -Is the strength as the evidence supports the evolutionary explanation for aggression

Answer 20

- aggression may be maladaptive; could result in social ostrum injury or even death -Violet males may be rejected as Mates as warriors could die in battle -these factors highlight how aggression may of course challenges in our evolutionary past rather than solve them -Therefore undermining the evolutionary explanation for aggression -however it could be argued that the benefits of aggression must’ve outweigh the cost in our evolutionary past natural selection will have the evolutionary benefits of aggression

Answer 21

- explain sexual jealousy and sexual competition but not the astonishing cruelty found in human conflict that is not evident in non-human species - E.G there were one genocide in 1994 involve wide scale slaughter of whole groups of people -No just explain why humans torture are mutilate opponents when they no longer oppose as a threat -Therefore this is a limitation as it can only explain one cause of aggression so we cannot use as an explanation for all types of aggression.

Answer 22

- anthropologists have found evidence that many tribal societies bestowed increased honor on men who committed murder -And I study in the late 90s evidence the influence of aggression status; an industrial society which is in the US the most violent gang members have the highest status among peers This research shows how aggression was adaptive in our evolutionary past and now more in modern societal context -Therefore strength is it ultimately increases the explanation power of the evolutionary explanation for aggression

Answer 23

-Dollard et al -based on psychodynamic beliefs about the role of catharsis in aggression - Frustration is caused when there is an obstacle to the goal leading to the arousal of the aggressive drive through anger -Frustration increases with a motivation towards the goal -This feeling of being upset or annoyed creates a sense of anger -This leads to: readiness to attack or confront -Which then will cause feelings of catharsis when they have emotionally released when they’ve had the opportunity to vent or let off steam

Answer 24

-when people off frustrated, they can display aggression towards the object of frustration -However it is often unacceptable to be aggressive towards the actual source which inhibits aggression -E.G it may be a person in a higher power than them (boss) or a situational factor (weather) People will therefore use the defence mechanism displacement to direct their anger at someone or something else -For example, it may be expressed physically like punching -Verbally like screaming into a pillow -Or fantasy acting out what you want to actually say -DOLLARD Said that in order to experience catharsis scapegoat must be found ‘ The kicking dog affect’

Answer 25

-Berkowitz suggested that frustration does not make us instantly aggressive but may create a readiness for aggression -Frustration is a type of an unpleasant experience that will lead to aggression -Unpleasant feelings can cause a negative effect which will intern cause the aggression -When people are frustrated at heightens their emotional state mean they are more likely to act on impulse if promoted by environment -E.G you are more likely to snap at an annoying friend if you are having a bad day but you may not have shown aggression if you haven’t seen a friend — This shows aggressive behaviour from internal anger can be triggered by external factor

Answer 26

Early critics say many of Dollard et als claims had no support -The concept of catharsis states that aggression reduces arousal so that people are less likely to be aggressive has not been supported by research -Evidence from Bushman study showed the aggressive behaviour is likely to lead to more rather than less aggression -he found participants who vented anger bar repeatedly hitting a punch bag became more aggressive rather than less aggressive -Aggressive behaviour kept aggressive thoughts and angry feelings active in the memory -Contradicting the claim that catharsis reduces the aggression -Therefore is a weakness as it undermines the frustration aggression hypothesis criticising the validity it could be the exposing someone to aggression increases their likelihood of future aggressive behaviour

Answer 27

-Staub suggested that mass killings are often rooted in frustration over social or economic difficulty -Frustration leads to escape coaching which leads to discrimination toward the scapegoated group For example, following the first world war many Germans when the Jews for severe economic problems that followed them losing the war -Historians argued that this widespread frustration and propaganda manipulation led to the condone violence of the second world war -This evidence is the frustration aggression hypothesis in human behaviour particularly indirect expression of displacing anger onto a scapegoat

Answer 28

-priks found that when Swedish football teams performed worse than expected supposed to throw more things onto the pitch -At one position drop in the league led to a 5% increase in unruly behaviour -Demonstrating how an increase in frustration led to an increase in aggression because there’s more frustration building which needs to be released in order to reach catharsis -This therefore is a strength as this research support evidences the applicability of the model in modern times as well as historical times increasing its value as an explanation for

Answer 29

-Russell Green conducted a lab experiment where he asked male undergraduate students to undertake a jigsaw puzzle -While they were completing the puzzle he organised three different conditions that were designed to raise levels of frustration in the participants- -One condition impose an unattainable time limit to complete the jig -Another the jigsaw was impossible to complete -Thirdly a confederate issued derogatory remarks to the students as they failed to complete the study -In the second part of the study which was reminiscent of the Milgrim experiment he had the opportunity to give shocks to the confederate if he answered correctly on another task The group of participants who are experienced in insults from the confederate gave the highest level of shocks -All three groups gave more shocks than a control group who had not experienced any frustration conditions -Therefore supporting the theory that frustration leads to aggression

Answer 30

-learning through observing others and imitating behaviours that are seen to be rewarded -Vendura originated the social learning theory building on the behavioural approach to acknowledging that aggression may be directly or indirectly -SLT suggest the direct learning of aggression happens to operant conditioning -E.G a child to angrily snatches a toy from their sibling and receives no reprimand or punishment for their behaviour will learn the aggression leads to rewards -Additionally, we can learn aggression vicariously through other people -The observe the consequences of aggressive behaviour by observing others being reinforced or punished for aggression E.G films school and Home they learn as appropriate and acceptable in the world around us -For example, if a child witnesses aggressive behaviour from a role model they are more likely to act aggressively than a child who has not observed aggression or one who has seen people being punished for aggression

Answer 31

- Bandura also acknowledge that people do not passively imitate aggression and have some cognitive control over their actions. He focused on the mediational processes involved in social learning. -Attention: an individual must pay attention to the models aggressive behaviour -Retention: individuals must code and destroy the observed aggressive behaviour in long-term memory -Reproduction: individuals must be capable of imitating the aggressive behaviour -Motivation: individuals must have good reason for reproducing the behaviour -The child’s belief in their own ability to carry out the behaviour successfully ( self efficacy 0 -If the behaviour was ineffective for the child, they will have low self-confidence-low self efficacy- -So May turn to means other than aggression -if a child regularly uses aggression to reach their goal E.G taking a toy from one of a child then they learn how much force or aggression is necessary and become confident in using their own physical strength as a means of getting what they want

Answer 32

-found in the research by bandura - Adult role models being aggressive to male and female children ages 3 to 5 -The model in condition one showed no aggression towards the bobo doll -The model in condition two showed physical aggress: kicking hitting with a mullet and hitting -as well as verbal aggression -Children were shown attractive toys they were not allowed to play with which created frustration before being put in a room with a doll -Children who observed the aggressive adult imitated most of the aggressive behaviour -One third of both male and females repeated verbal responses, but boys displayed physical aggression more than girls -Children who observed no aggression from the adult produced no verbal aggression or physical aggression towards the doll -This research provides evidence for the aggression being learnt through social learning in children -Therefore is a strength as it increased the explanation power of the social learning theory particularly because the lab experiment will have control controlled for experience variables allowing cause effect relationship to be established

Answer 33

-One limitation is a lot of the research lacks realism -The Bobo doll study for example has significant mythological issues because the highly controlled lab environment lacks ecological validity -The children may have also picked up on demand characteristics from the investigator -Which means their behaving may not be an indication of the influence of the models and aggression of the child’s ability to pick up the wishes of adult -This ultimately reduces the velocity of the research supporting the social learning explanation for aggression:

Answer 34

— research evidence from North American hockey players -Gita analyse 200 games from National Hockey League -they believed a players born in North America are more likely to have been exposed to aggressive models from a young age and less likely to have been punished when displayed aggressive behaviour compared to European players -they found the place born in North America were more likely to be penalised for aggression and fighting and plays from other countries -this is a strength as it evidences the role of social learning theory in everyday life unlike the Bobo study. This research was conducted on the naturalistic conditions and this evidence increases the value of the social learning explanation for aggression.

Answer 35

-A strength of the social learning theory is it can explain inconsistencies within aggression -The expectations of the consequences in each situation can be used to determine or predict the likelihood of aggress -E.G a young male may have aggressively went out with friends because he increases his social status however the same individual may not be aggressive in a school or work situation because the positive consequences of aggression would be less likely -This shows how the theory can be used to explain all types of aggression and has applications in predicting behaviour depending on the social context -therefore, strengthening the value of the social learning explanation for regression

Answer 36

-focuses on the stressful nature of the president itself and how their influences the inmates that are subject to this form of stress -clemmer devised the deprivation model -Which suggests that aggression occurs as a result of internal factors with the prison setting -Sky outlined five deprivations that arise from the indignities and deregulations suffered by becoming an inmate -Deprivation of liberty -Of autonomy -Of goods/services -Of heterosexual relationships -and off security -when a person has their regular routine and luxuries taken away, it can lead to his loss of social norms -So they may adopt behaviours of others rather than acting like they normally would leading to some individual and intern aggression -Deprivation of material goods and services can also lead to frustration and competition so aggression becomes a mean of solving this problem

Answer 37

-States that prisoners are full of violent individuals because they enter the prison with that characteristic they import it - The importation model was devised by Irwin and Cressedy -And explains aggression impressions as being down to an individuals dispositional factors -For example, their beliefs, attitudes and values -as well as personal characteristics like gender race and class - statistically most aggressive inmates tend to be young ethnic minority males from lower class backgrounds and this could be due to a variety of reasons like testosterone or exerting power and status -There is also higher aggression level shall my prisoners who had issues with addictions or members of gangs before being arrested -Pre-prison gang members appear to be an important determinant in prison misconduct = Pre-gang inmates are significantly more likely to commit murder hostage taking and assault the non-gang meets

Answer 38

Keller and wang -Found that high security prisons statistically have higher levels of assaults on staff -This suggests that the personality of the inmate which led them to be placed in a high security prison leads to aggression within the prison -This is a strength of the importation model because it demonstrates how negative moral codes are imported into prison systems

Answer 39

- Fischer in 2001 found the isolating known gun members in a special management unit reduce the rate of serious assault, rioting. Drug violations and threats to staff by 50%. -This demonstrated that by removing the interaction of inmates with similar experiences and violent cultural belief systems aggression is reduced -This is the strength of the therapy because it has developed our understanding of aggression which can be applied to the prison environment and reduce aggression

Answer 40

-for example, inmate might use violence to protect themselves against assaults from other inmates (pro active aggression) = a criminal may be nonviolent but show violent behaviour when in prison suggesting they feel the needs to protect themselves -The theory aims to be normal thetic and explain all aggression but fails to distinguish between reactive aggression and person orientated aggression -Therefore limiting its explanation power

Answer 41

-used by HMP Woodhill in the late 90s -David Wilson reasoned that most violence occurs in an environment that are hot, noisy and overcrowded so aggression could be reduced by limiting these three factors -He set up two units for violent prisoners that were less crowded, had an outside view, lower temperatures and reduce noise levels masked with radio music -These changes virtually eradicated the assault and prison staff and other inmates -Providing powerful support for the claim that situational variables are the main cause for violence -Therefore, this is a strength as it increases the explanation power of the deprivation model as an explanation for inmate aggression in prisons

Agression Flashcards

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