Chapter 11 Aggression Flashcards
Aggression
Behaviour intended to harm another individual
Instrumental/proactive aggression
Aggressive behaviour whereby harm is inflicted as a means to a desired end
Emotional/ reactive aggression
Aggressive behaviour where the means and the end coincide; harm is inflicted for its own sake
corporal punishment
Physical force (i.e., spanking/hitting) intended to cause a child pain - but not injury- for the purpose of controlling or correcting the child’s behaviour
Social learning theory
The theory that behaviour is learned through the observation of others as well as through the direct experience of rewards and punishments
Catharsis
A reduction of the motive to aggress that is said to result from any imagined, observed, or actual act of aggression
- Releasing the aggression through action
weapons effect
The tendency that the likelihood of aggression will increase by the mere presence of weapons
Prosocial
Altruism, helping behaviour
Asocial
Being on your own, not doing anything with anyone
Antisocial
Aggression, violence, hurtful destructive behaviour
Violence
Aggression with the goal of extreme harm, including injury or death
Hormone linked with aggression
Testosterone
Dual hormone hypothesis
Testosterone: aggression increases testosterone and vice versa
Cortisol (stress hormone): triggers behavioural inhibition
Cultures of honour
Emphasizes honour and social status, particularly for men
Bullying
Bullying is common in all cultures
Who commits violent crimes?
Ages 14-24 years
Who’s more aggressive? Men or women
Men are more physically aggressive and are just as relationally aggressive as women
World Aggression over time
The world has become less aggressive
Evolutionary theories: Aggression
For males: Aggression is high risk/high reward
Females prefer high-status males
Aggression is a way of displaying/maintaining status
What causes Male vs. Female violence
Sexual jealously
Is aggression a learned behaviour?
YES
Positive reinforcement
Aggression is reinforced when it produces desired outcomes
Negatively reinforced
Aggression is reinforced because it prevents or stops undesirable outcomes
Punishment can reduce aggressive behaviour ONLY when the punishment…
- immediately follows the aggressive behaviour
- is strong enough to deter the aggressor
- is consistently applied
- is perceived as fair and legitimate by the aggressor
