Frustration- Aggression hypothesis

Question 1

what are barriers? AO1

Answer 1

They may be real or imaginary and prevent an individual achieving their aim causing frustration which then needs to be relieved in a cathartic way

Question 2

according to the frustration-aggression hypothesis what factors affect the likelihood of aggression- AO1

Answer 2

-Proximity
-if a person sees themselves to be close to achieving their goal then displaying aggression is more likely due to frustration

-Remove the barrier?
-if individual believes the display of aggression will remove the barrier that is causing frustration itself.
-if they believe aggression will have no effect on removing barrier then less likely

Question 3

Berkowitz revised model AO1

Answer 3

-barriers were not the only cause of frustration
-key was level of negative feeling the frustration caused
-if someone sees an obstacle as justified, this reduces their aggressive response

Question 4

Hypothesis recognises aggression is not always… AO1

Answer 4

not always expressed directly towards the source of frustration and instead, aggression can be displayed/ deflected onto an alternative, weaker object/ person

Question 5

Research support from Haris (1974)- AO3

Answer 5

real queues in shopping centre were used and she and her confederates pushed in front of people

• closer ppts were to the front of queue higher level of aggressive response

supports because proximity- closer more aggressive

Question 6

research refute from Bushman (2002)- A03

Answer 6

600 students either assigned to:
-punchbag rumination (thinking about person made you angry)
-punchbag distraction
-control group

all angered when given feedback on essay. asked to hit punchbag either thinking about person who made them angry or getting fit. measured level of anger and then last chance to be aggressive to person who angered them then, administered loud blast at them

-punchbag rumination group scored highest on level of anger and aggression, then distraction then control group

-refute/complex: not direct causation between frustration and aggression, whats important is the thoughts that follow/mediate the frustration

Question 7

gender difference in aggression- ao3

Answer 7

-hypothesis unable to account for gender differences in aggression
-its gender bias debate
-men more likely to channel frustration into aggression

-social differences account for gender difference in aggression: men have a worse drinking and drug culture