mark scheme answers Flashcards
using your knowledge of research into cognitive priming, explain the likely outcome of the study (watching violent/ non violent films before a game)
•the likely outcome is that more of the participants who watch the violent film beforehand will be classified in the high aggression category than the low aggression category and more of the participants who watched the neutral film beforehand will be classified in the low aggression category than the high aggression category
•cognitive priming would explain this because it suggests that exposure to aggressive images acts as a script for how to behave aggressively; the script is stored in memory then triggered when a similar, subsequent aggressive situation occurs
explain one way in which the experiment could be changed to control for the problems of using different participants in each condition
•use a matched pairs design where for each person in one condition, there is a person in the other condition who has similar characteristics so each member of a pair acts as a control for the other- one relevant variable to match on would be the history of viewing films
describe how de-individuation is involved in aggression
•loss of personal identity in a group situation leads to disregard for social normals and increased aggression
•sense of autonomy and personal responsibility for own actions is diminished- instead the individual is governed by the norms and expectations of the group
•inhibitions that normally regulate an individuals behaviour are reduced- there is a reduction in private self awareness
•studies like zimbardo
evaluate the role of de-individuation in aggression
•use of studies as evidence
•de-individuation does not always lead to aggression- it depends on the norms of the group which may be antisocial or prosocial
•implications for dealing with aggressive individuals
•crowd-baiting
describe neural mechanisms in aggression
•the limbic system, particularly the hypothalamus and amygdala, are responsible for aggressive behaviour
•fMRI scans show heightened amygdala activity during aggressive response
•stimulation of the amygdala can increase/ decrease aggression response
•reduced serotonin is implicated in aggression
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use the evolutionary explanations of aggression to explain Jane’s husbands male retention strategies
•evolutionary theory states that males compete for females- Bill gets angry because he sees Jane’s male friends as potential rivals- an example of sexual jealousy
•bill is anxious to prevent Jane from forming a relationship with other makes to avoid cuckoldry (Jane being unfaithful)
•Bill shows mate retention strategies (male vigilance, direct guarding)
what are the strengths of the evolutionary explanation of aggression
•use of evidence to support the theory of aggression eg parallels in the animal kingdom
•consistent with findings that show there are differences in aggression between males and females
•can explain many types of aggression (eg bullying to maintain a position of dominance)
what is a limitation of the evolutionary explanation of aggression
•difficult to test as evidence is correlational and usually involves a self- report aspect
•cannot explain cultural differences in aggression
•presents male aggression as natural and therefore an acceptable behaviour
•implications for treatment of male aggression
what is the frustration-aggression hypothesis?
•Dollard and Millar stated frustration always results in aggression and aggression is always caused by frustration
•frustration equals blocking of any goal directed action
•this leads to tension that can only be relieved by an aggressive act- aggression is cathartic
•focus of aggression is not always the cause of frustration- aggression can be displaced
•the likelihood of aggression depends on proximity to the goal and the chance of aggression will enable the goal to be achieved
•aggression becomes more likely if it has been rewarded in the past
•modified to include the negative effect theory
evaluation points of the frustration- aggression hypothesis
•use of evidence to support/ contradict
•berkowitz arguments that aggression results from other factors too (negative emotions)
•aggregation may not be cathartic- might stimulate more intense emotion
•cannot explain aggressive acts that are cold and calculated
outline the effects of computer games on aggression
•cognitive priming- repeated exposure to violent video games gives a script leading to readiness to act aggressively
•regularly playing video games leads to desensitisation reducing normal physiological response to violent stimuli
•anonymity of gaming is disinhibiting, increasing aggression
•general links to SLT and reinforcement
briefly evaluate the effects of computer games on aggression
•use of evidence to support/ contradict
•effects appear to be consistent across cultures
•much evidence is correlational so difficult to show that playing computer games has an affect on aggression
•mediating effects of other variables
•broader implications for society
what is the genetic influence in aggression
•role of the MAOA gene- mice with the gene were more aggressive
•low activity variant is a shortened version which produces low levels of the enzyme leading to excess neurotransmitter levels- linked to higher levels of aggression
•MAOA gene controls enzyme that breaks down neurotransmitters dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin- increased levels of serotonin lead to impulsivity
•genetic studies
•evolutionary explanation- aggression as an adaptive behaviour
•twin studies
-Coccaro
-Rhee and Waldman
evaluation of the genetic factors in aggression
•use of evidence to support/ counter
•evaluation of evidence where linked to the discussion
•evolutionary advantages of an aggressive gene
•diathesis stress model
•reductionism
•determinism
what is essential for a testable hypothesis?
the hypothesis should include fully operationalised variables
