Chapter 10

Question 1

Know the theories on aggression (biological/innate, frustration, drive theories, social learning) and supporting research

Answer 1

biological/innate - argues that aggression is an instinctive behavior, an innate, unlearned behavior pattern exhibited by all members of a species
one experiment - electrodes were place in an aggression inhibiting area of a domineering monkey’s brain, and a smaller monkey learned to push the button when the bigger monkey became intimidating
genetics can play a role - breed for aggressiveness in mice or fighting cocks or dogs

frustration - theory that frustration triggers a readiness to aggress
displacement aggression experiment - people who were mildly insulted were more likely to suggest a longer punishment of hand in cold water to innocent student than those who weren’t

social learning - theory that we learn social behavior by observing and imitating and by being rewarded and punished
bandura experiment with kicking/punching bobo the clown - kids were more likely to do it when they saw an adult do it earlier

Question 2

Know the influences on aggression (incidents, arousal, media, sex, group)

Answer 2

incidents that cause pain, are associated with heat, or can be viewed as an attack cause people to be more aggressive
arousal can increase aggression in some cases
media - viewing violent media does tend to make people more aggressive and more likely to act in aggressive ways
when a group is larger, they tend to be more aggressive because of the decreased sense of responsibility and awareness for actions
men do tend to be more aggressive than women

Question 3

Know the association between alcohol and aggression

Answer 3

Alcohol unleashes aggression when people are provoked

increases aggression by decreasing a persons self awareness

Question 4

Know the theories on reducing aggression (punishment, catharsis, social learning, etc.)

Answer 4

catharsis - need to have an outlet for aggression so that it doesn’t come out in nonappropriate ways, this theory doesn’t seem to hold up to the evidence from experiments
social learning - teaching people not be aggressive in the first place and teaching coping skills for anger seems to have the most success in reducing aggression
punishment doesn’t consistently solve the problem, only works when punishment is strong, prompt sure, and combined with a reward for desired behavior and the recipient is not angry

Question 5

Know the difference between aggression and assertiveness and the two types of aggression (hostile, instrumental)

Answer 5

aggression - physical or verbal behavior intended to hurt someone

hostile aggression - aggression that springs from anger, its goal is to injure
instrumental aggression - aggression that aims to injure, but only as a means to some other end