Frustration Aggression Hypothesis

Question 1

Who created the frustration aggression hypothesis?

Answer 1

Dollard et al

Question 2

What does the frustration aggression hypothesis suggest?

Answer 2

Aggression is a consequence of feelings of frustration. Frustration occurs when a goal is blocked and the aggression allows the relief of frustration to occur

Question 3

What is an example of the frustration aggression hypothesis?

Answer 3

Trying to find a parking space and when they finally see one, a person coming the other way pulls into it and the driver shouts abuse at the driver who has taken the space

Question 4

What is the first factor that affects the likelihood of aggression occurring?

Answer 4

The proximity to the goal

Question 5

How does the proximity to the goal affect aggression?

Answer 5

If the individual is very close to their goal then the likelihood of aggression occurring is much greater

Question 6

What is the second factor that affects the likelihood of aggression occurring?

Answer 6

Whether the aggression will remove the barrier that is causing the frustration

Question 7

How does the effect of aggression on removing the barrier affect the aggression?

Answer 7

If the aggression will have no effect on removing the barrier then it is less likely to occur

Question 8

Who conducted the first piece of research into the frustration aggression hypothesis?

Answer 8

Harris

Question 9

What did Harris do and find?

Answer 9

Tested to see if proximity to the goal has an effect on aggression by using situations where people in queues in shops had confederates push in front of them in the queue. She found that the closer to the front of the queue they were, the more likely that they were to act aggressively. This shows that proximity is an important factor to aggression occurring

Question 10

Who conducted the second study onto the frustration aggression hypothesis?

Answer 10

Buss

Question 11

What did Buss do and find?

Answer 11

Whether different types of frustration would affect aggression
1. Failure to win money
2. Failure on a task
3. Failure to get your expected grade
He found that all types of frustrating prompted aggression showing that frustration can contribute to aggression

Question 12

What are three limitations of the frustration aggression hypothesis?

Answer 12

• aggression is not always prompted by frustration e.g. fight or flight in threatening situation
• not everyone who experiences frustration reacts with aggression e.g. May cry
• based on hypothetical situations as unethical to manipulate someone into feeling frustrated and promoting aggression so affects validity