AGRESSION Flashcards
Cognitive priming
A term refers to the process of developing scripts after exposure to media. Then are then activated in the presence of similar stimuli in real life.
Deindividuation
A term used in the context of aggression and obedience. It refers to a state in which individuals have lower self awareness and a weaker sense of personal responsibility for their actions. This may result from being in a crowd
MAOA enzyme
An enzyme responsible for “mopping up” neurotransmitters in the brain after a nerve impulse has been transmitted from one neuron to another. It does this by breaking down nuerotransmitters particularly serotonin, into smaller parts that can be recycled or excreted, a process known as catabolism
Disinhibition
It’s a theory which explains how the media can influence aggression. It proposes that our normal restraints are loosen after exposure to media violence (e.g. films, TV and video games). Aggressive behaviour then becomes normalised and these norms governs a persons behaviour. For example revenge
Desensitisation
Refers to the way that in which people become less anxious and shocked by media violence, as a result of repeated exposure.
Dispositional explanation
An explanation for institutional aggression that suggests certain individuals are predisposed to being aggressive because of certain traits that individual has
Fixed actions patters
The second part of exhibiting aggression. The behaviour that is released after the innate releasing mechanism has been activated
Frustration aggression hypothesis
The they the every experience of frustration leads to a build of aggression (which is unavoidable). This eventually leads to the need to replapse of aggression which exults in aggressive behaviours
Innate releasing mechanisms
• Innate releasing mechanisms are hard wired brain networks that respond to specific stimuli (signs or releasers) by initiating a fixed action patters, a set sequence of behaviours
• A network of neurons in the brain which responds to threats in the environment in the form of aggression
• An environmental stimulus (such as facial expression, bearing teeth) triggers the IRM which then ‘releases’ a specific sequence of behaviours.
• This behavioural sequence is called a fixed action pattern (FAP)
Institutional aggression
Aggression that is exhibited by a group in an institute, for example prisoners. This ca be explained through two primary models; the importation model and the deprivation model
Limbic system
A group of structures in the brain that area involved with emotion and LTM
Serotonin
An inhibitory neurotransmitters (reduced the action potential in the postsynaptic membrane) and it associated with the regulation of impulsive behaviour when present at normal concentration in the orbital cortex. Due to this link between serotonin and the regulation of emotional impulsive behaviour, it has also been proposed that serotonin is involved in controlling sleeping patterns, due to being found lower levels in non- violent offenders
Situational explanation
An explanation for institutional aggression that suggests it arises because of the environment and atmosphere in the institution
Testosterone
Male sex hormone, responsible for the development of masculine features. There may be link between decreased testosterone levels and decreased levels of aggressive behaviour, a positive correlation and demonstrated by castration studies.
Ethology
Study of animal behaviour in natural settings
Ritualistic aggression
Series of behaviours carried out in a set order
Amygdala
Particulary important in regulating emotional behaviour
Orbtiofrontal cortex
Found to be responsible for self control and impulse regulation. Plays a crucial role in inhibiting aggression by working alongside the amygdala
MAOA gene
One variant of the MAOA gene, often referred to as the “warrior gene,” results in low MAOA activity in certain brain areas and has been associated with various forms of aggressive behavior.
Gene - environment interactions
suggest that low MAOA gene activity is linked to aggression only when combined with early trauma.
Cuckoldry
If a man senses sexual infidelity it triggers an alarm that evoked jealousy. This could lead to cuckoldry i.e a male raising a son which is not his own. This is an evolutionary disadvantage, due to a male wasting his resources which he could have otherwise used on raising his own.
Male retention strategies
- Direct guarding (insisting on who and where you are going to and with)
- Negative inducements (making physical threats to women like suicide)
Male Bullying
This is another explanation whereby bulling may not be a product of poor social skills or dysfunctional upbringing as previously thought, but may be an evolutionary advantage. For example, men who bullied other men through reinforcing power imbalances were more likely to have their pick of resources and to mate with more females
Female bullying
More often takes place within rather outside the relationship and is a means of controlling the partner such as threats or monitoring. Therefore the aggressive act of bulling may be considered as adaptive.
Uxoricide
Killing of young women.
Private self awareness
Refers to how much attention we give to our own thoughts, feelings and behaviour, which decreases when we are part of a crowd
Public self awareness
Is how concerned we are about how other perceive our behaviour, and this also diminishes in anonymous setting like crowds. The lack of concern for social judgement and the anonymity of being in a large crows makes us less accountable for our actions.
Social learning theory
Suggests that aggressive behaviour is learned through observation and imitation. This can occur directly, where individuals experience consequences for their own aggression, or indirectly through vicarious reinforcement, where they see others being rewarded for aggressive behaviour. Role models, often older or of higher status, play a key role in this process, especially when they are admired or share similar traits with the observer.
Importation model
suggests that prisoners bring aggressive behaviors into the institution, influenced by their previous social histories and dispositions. These individuals are not “blank slates” but “import” behaviors from the outside world, including attitudes, beliefs, and values from their gang affiliations or criminal backgrounds. This is a dispositional explanation, where aggression stems from within the individual.
Deprivation model
argues that aggression arises from the stressful and deprived conditions of prison life, such as loss of freedom, social isolation, and harsh environments. Sykes identified several types of deprivation experienced by prisoners, which can contribute to aggression. These include: the deprivation of security, where prisoners fear for their safety; the deprivation of heterosexual relationships, leading to low self-worth and aggression; the deprivation of material goods, causing competition among inmates; and the deprivation of freedom, where the restrictive prison regime heightens frustration and aggression. Each form of deprivation intensifies prisoners’ stress, leading to aggressive behavior as they cope with these unmet needs.
