frustration aggression hypothesis

Question 1

Explain Dollard’s (1939) explanation of the link between frustration and aggression.

Answer 1

Dollard formulated the FAH:
- Frustration always leads to aggression
- Aggression is always the result of frustration
- His hypothesis is based on the psychodynamic concept of catharsis
- Comes from psychodynamic approach as Freud believed the drive for aggression is innate like the drive for food. He believed the only way to reduce aggression is to engage in an activity which released it.
- If our attempt to achieve a goal is blocked by an external factor we experience frustration. This creates an aggressive drive.
- This is Cathartic because the creation of aggression by frustration is satisfying

Question 2

Give 3 reasons why might aggression not always be expressed directly against the source?

Answer 2

Cause of frustration may be abstract
Cause may be too powerful and we may risk punishment by aggressing against it
This cause may be unavailable at the time

Question 3

What was Berkowitz’s (1969) revised frustration-aggression hypothesis?

Answer 3

Proposed a revised hypothesis:
Frustration doesn’t always lead to aggression. There must be certain cues in the environment such as the presence of weapons which trigger aggression

Question 4

sublimation