Frustration-aggression hypothesis Flashcards
Frustration-Aggression Hypothesis
Original Hypothesis
- F-A hypothesis states that frustration always leads to aggression and aggression is always a result of frustration.
- We experience frustration when our attempts to reach a goal are blocked by some external factor.
- This creates an aggressive drive which leads to aggressive thoughts and behaviour.
- The aggressive behaviour provides catharsis which reduces the drive by satisfying the frustration.
Frustration-aggression Hypothesis
Developed Hypothesis
- F-A Hypothesis recognises aggression is not always expressed directly at the source.
- The cause of frustration may be abstract, too powerful or unavailable.
- This usually causes aggression to be displaced onto an alternative (something physical, weaker and available)
Frustration-aggression Hypothesis
Weapon Effect
Berkowitz (1989)
- Berkowitz (1989) suggested frustration creates a readiness for aggression but it is triggered by the presense of aggressive cues in the environment.
- Confederates gave participants real electric shocks.
- Participants were given the opportunity to give fake shocks to the confederate.
- The number of shocks was greater when there were two guns on the table compared to without.
- This support the idea that the presense of aggressive environmental stimuli cues aggression.
Frustration-aggression Hypothesis
Research on Frustration-aggression Hypothesis
Green (1968)
- University students were given a jigsaw puzzle where frustration was manipulated (e.g. puzzle could not be solved, interfering confederate and a confederate insulting the participant).
- Participants were given the opportunity to give the confederate electric shocks.
- Insulted participants gave the strongest shocks, followed by the insulted participants, etc.
- All these groups selected stronger shocks than a non-frustrated control group.
Frustration-aggression Hypothesis: Evaluation
Research Support
Strength
- There is research support for the key concept of the F-A hypothesis.
- A researcher did a meta analysis of 49 studies investigating aggressive behaviour being directed at alternative target.
- Researchers concluded displaced is a reliable phenomenon.
This shows that aggression can be caused by frustration and taken out on other targets.
Frustration-aggression Hypothesis: Evaluation
Role of Catharsis
Limitation
- Showing aggression may not be cathartic.
- Participants in a study vented their anger by hitting a punching bag.
- However, this increased their aggressive drives.
- Doing nothing was more effective than venting.
This shows that a central assumption of the hypothesis may not be valid.
Frustration-aggression Hypothesis: Evaluation
Frustration-aggression Link
Limitation
- The link between frustration and aggression is complex.
- Frustration does not always lead to aggression and vice versa and so the automatic link between them isn’t entirely valid.
- Frustrated people can behave in a number of non-aggressive ways.
This suggests the F-A hypothesis is an inadequate explanation because it only explains some situations.
Frustration-aggression Hypothesis: Evaluation
Counterpoint
- Berkowitz’s reformulation of the F-A hypothesis accounts for criticisms.
- His negative effect theory argued frustration is just one stimuli.
- Aggressive behaviour is triggered by a number of feelings (e.g. fear, jealousy) rather than just frustration alone.
Frustration only forms part of a wider explanation.
