Frustration-Aggression Hypothesis Flashcards
Define Frustration
Frustration occurs when a barrier prevents someone from achieving their desired goal.
What does the Frustration Aggression Hypothesis claim?
All aggression is the result of feelings of frustration, the outlet for aggressive behaviour may be completely unrelated to the original source of frustration.
How might the reasoning for aggression criticise the theory?
People act aggressively for a wide variety of reasons. The theory fails to account for those people who kill in a calculated manner and meticulously plan their aggressive acts. The hypothesis claims that all aggression is a fast response which displaces the sensation of frustration, though this can be empirically disproved by questioning criminals and violent individuals.
How would Social Learning Theory criticise the hypothesis? (Use and example)
SLT would argue that instances of rioting or aggression en masse are simply examples of people copying each others behaviours rather than the individuals experiencing frustration.
Who created the hypothesis?
Dollard and Doob
What is Cathartic Release?
This is the idea that sensations of anger and frustration can be reduced by either sublimating aggression through socially acceptable means, such as sports or video games. Or the aggression can be displaced onto other people by causing them physical pain or verbally insulting them.
How would Cathartic Release be incorporated into the theory?
Dollard claimed that the displacement of the fustration into an aggressive act was simply the person using cathartic tactics to reduce their feelings of anger or annoyance.
