Chapter 11-12 Flashcards
what is aggression
a behavior that is carried out with the immediate intent to cause harm
- aggression is universal
hostile aggression
emotional, impulsive; aggression motivated by the desire to harm someone
instrumental aggression
cold premetitatve aggression for the purpose of acheiving some other goal
direct/overt aggression
phsycail or verbal
indirect/covert aggression
social/relational
legitimate aggression
socially apporved aggression
illegitimate aggressoin
socially disaproved aggression
biological explanations for aggression
instinct/innate
freud beleived this
- humans are born with a death instinct which leads to violence
- death instnct can be turned on the self (suicide) or on other (murder, destruction)
- unless there is a release of aggressive energy, it will build up and create “pressure” which can cause mental illness or outburts (release + cathersis)
biological expanations for aggression
evolution
aggression increases the liklihood that a person/ or offspring will survive
biological expanations for aggression
genetics
it is possible that genes contribute to aggression, although more research is needed
biological expanations for aggression
neurophysiological
when faced with danger, we wither confront the danger or flee from it.
- lymbic system -fight or flgiht response.
- amygdala, hypothalamus
biological expanations for aggression
Hormones/Neurotransmitters
testosterone and serotonin
- testosterone levels have been linked to aggression
- higher testosterone, higher aggression levels
- causality issues
- serotonin is linked to the ability to control/inhabit aggression
- lower serotonin -> higher aggression levels.
testosterone and aggression
Dabbs and Morris (1990)
- compared 4,000 men with normal levels of testoserone with approv. 500 men with elavated levels
- those with higher testoserone reported more:
- childhood delinquincy, crimal behaviors as adults, and greater drug abuse. - but this was only for men from disadvantaged socioeconmics backgrounds.
