Frustration-aggression hypothesis

Question 1

three social psychological explanations of aggression

Answer 1

1) frustration-aggression hypothesis
2) social learning theory
3) deindividuation

Question 2

who proposed frustration aggression hypothesis

Answer 2

Dollard et al (1939)

Question 3

outline frustration aggression hypothesis
- introduction

Answer 3

One social psychological explanation of aggression is Dollard et al’s
(1939) ‘frustration-aggression hypothesis’.

This theory argues that frustration always leads to some form of aggression, and aggression is always the result of frustration.

For example, a frustrating event such as traffic may lead to aggression, such as beeping or shouting at drivers to move.

Question 4

outline frustration aggression hypothesis
- catharthis

Answer 4

This hypothesis is based on the psychodynamic concept of catharsis (the process of releasing strong or repressed emotions to produce relief).

If our attempt to achieve a goal is blocked by some external factor, we experience frustration.

In other words, frustration is caused by not getting something we want.

For example, waiting for a bus which then drives by without stopping.

This creates an aggressive drive, which leads to aggressive behaviour, such as violent fantasy, a verbal outburst or even physical violence.

This is cathartic because the aggression created by the frustration is satisfied, thereby reducing the drive and making further aggression less likely.

Question 5

outline frustration aggression hypothesis
- displacement

Answer 5

The hypothesis recognises that aggression is not always expressed directly against the source of frustration, for three reasons.

The source may be abstract (e.g. the economy or the government), too powerful and we risk punishment or simply unavailable at the time.

As a result, our aggression may be displaced (or deflected) onto an alternative - one that is not abstract, is weaker and is available (e.g. an object or a younger sibling).

Question 6

evaluate frustration aggression hypothesis
- STRENGTHS

Answer 6

P) Support from Priks (2010)
E) when Swedish football teams performed worse than their fans expected, more objects (e.g. missiles) were thrown onto the pitch.
E) also, supporters were more likely to fight with opposition supporters
L) aggression increases when expectations of good performance are frustrated

+ empirical evidence, cause/effect, valid (face validity)

+ practical applications (sports, therapy, catharsis)

+nomothetic

Question 7

evaluate frustration aggression hypothesis
- LIMITATIONS

Answer 7

P) evidence suggests not all aggression arises from frustration
E) frustration is only one of a large number of unpleasant experiences, including pain and extreme temperatures that can lead to aggression
E) Reifman (1991): as temperatures increased in baseball games, pitchers’ aggression would also increase (e.g. throwing directly at the batter’s head)
L) led to the development of the
‘revised frustration-aggression hypothesis’ which argues that it is the negative feelings produced by any unpleasant experience (not just frustration), that triggers aggression

P) evidence against the idea that catharsis reduces aggression
E) Bushman (2002): behaving aggressively is likely to lead to more rather than less aggression in the future
E) also, aggressive behaviour kept aggressive thoughts and angry feelings active in memory, making people more aggressive
L) directly contradicts the claim that catharsis reduces aggression

P) fail to account for the role of biological factors in aggression
E) eg, it is possible that aggressive behaviour may be, at least in part, genetic. Brunner (1993): defective MAOA gene in a Dutch family with a history of male violence.
E) testosterone has been shown play an important role in determining aggressive behaviour.
L) social psychological explanations of aggression may be limited in the number of aggressive behaviours they can successfully explain on their own and other approaches may be needed to explain all cases of aggression.

P) suffers from androcentrism/gender bias
E) social psychological theories of aggression struggle to explain the higher level of aggression and violent crime in males.
E) eg although testosterone can explain higher levels of aggression in males as it is produced far more in men, it is unclear why males would be more affected by the frustration aggression hypothesis
L) other explanations may be required to explain gender differences in aggression.

• reductionist
• environmentally determinist
• removes blame, incompatible with law