Frustration Aggression Hypothesis

Question 1

The frustration-aggression hypothesis (Dollard et al. 1939) proposes that aggression is caused by FRUSTRATION resulting from a

Answer 1

“…an event or stimulus that prevents an individual from attaining some goal.”

Question 2

The frustration-aggression hypothesis therefore sees aggression as a CATHARTIC release of the build-up of frustration. This is based on Freud’s psychodynamic explanation.

Answer 2

Frustration therefore leads to the arousal of an aggressive drive, which then leads to aggressive behaviour.

Question 3

The source of aggression may be abstract

Answer 3

not physical/concrete eg the economy

Question 4

The source of aggression could produce punishment

Answer 4

eg a teacher

Question 5

Psychodynamic theory proposes we have

Answer 5

ego DEFENCE MECHANISMS to protect ourselves.

Question 6

Sublimation – Using aggression in acceptable activities

Answer 6

eg taking up a contact sport like boxing

Question 7

Displacement -Directing our aggression outwards

Answer 7

eg punching a wall

Question 8

Revised Frustration Hypothesis from Berkowitz

Answer 8

frustration does not always necessarily result in aggression
Frustration is also just one of many different types of unpleasant experiences that can lead to aggression, for example; JEALOUSY, PAIN AND LONELINESS can also lead to aggression in individuals.

Question 9

UNANTICIPATED events which prevent us from achieving our goals are also more likely

Answer 9

to result in aggressive behaviour than anticipated events

Question 10

Aggression may only occur in the presence of certain cues

Answer 10

For example, cues such as the presence of weapons will be more likely to trigger aggression.

Question 11

Contradictory evidence against the hypothesis

Reifman

Answer 11

A study examined baseball games in the US and found that as temperatures increased so did the likelihood that pitchers would display aggressive behaviour towards the batters. Ball speeds were recorded at 90mph towards the batters head for example
reduces the validity or the original hypothesis but increases the validity of the revised

Question 12

Supporting evidence from lab experiments from Geen

Answer 12

male uni students jigsaw
frustration manipulated: impossible jigsaw, insufficient time or completing it while being insulted
asked to administer shock to conferdate who made mistake
all three groups gave more intense shocks than control
most intense were the ones insulted.
increases the validity

Question 13

supporting evidence from natural experiments

Priks

Answer 13

sweedish football hooliganism examining frustration of fans caused by change in position of club in legue and incidents by supporters
when team performed worse, more objects thrown onto field
one position frop 5% more unruly behaviours
absolute postion did not affect behaviour, supporters only showed aggression when failed expectations of good performance
increases validity that unanticipated frustration links to higher aggression

Question 14

contradictory evidence from lab experiments

bushman

Answer 14

essay on a sensitive topic and will be evaluated by peer
given feedback by confederate “worst i have ever read”
punching bag for two mins or nothing. game against fictional opponant, punish opponant with blasts of noise
loudness and lenghth of noise indication of aggression
punching bag more aggressive throughout the game than people that did nothing.
reduces the validity, aggression not cathartic but leads to future aggression