PRO-SOCIAL AND ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR: Aggression

Question 1

What is at the core of many anti-social acts?

Answer 1

Aggression

Question 2

Define: aggression

Answer 2

any behaviour intended to cause physical or psychological harm to the wellbeing or property of another person or to the functioning of a group or society

Question 3

Can aggression be physical, verbal or both?

Direct or indirect/subtle?

Answer 3

Yes

Question 4

What is the difference between recklessness and aggression

Answer 4

Aggression is when harm is caused with intent

Recklessness is when harm is caused without intent

Question 5

Name the 4 perspectives which define aggression

Answer 5

Psychodynamic perspective
Ethological perspective
Biological perspective
Social learning perspective

Question 6

Main assumption of psychodynamic perspective?

Answer 6

assumes aggression in an inner urge or “force” that builds up within us until it needs to be released

Question 7

Psychodynamic perspective: describe Freud’s theory of aggression

Answer 7

• Aggression is one of a number of basic human instincts which are present within all of us during birth
• This “primitive” urge builds up within us as we struggle to control it
• Anxiety arises from conflict between following the rules of society and satisfying our need to harm ourselves or othres
• Aggression must be released to prevent explosion of violence (eg. through socially acceptable ways like sport, or watching others be aggressive)
• May be suppressed as we have a survival/”life” instinct that competes with it

Question 8

Disadvantages of Freud’s theory of aggression?

Answer 8

Based on assumptions about unconscious urges which are difficult to empirically test
Therefore mainly seen of historical interest

Question 9

Main assumption of the ethological perspective?

Answer 9

Aggression is instinctive and has adaptive and survival functions

Question 10

Ethological perspective: describe Konrad Lorenz’ beliefs about aggression

Answer 10

• Viewed aggression as “a fighting instinct… that is directed against members of the same species” which evolves over many generations to help animals adapt and survive in their own environment (3 reasons)
• Believes all this applies to humans - drew on Freud’s psychodynamic theory
• said only humans kill purposely each other because of artifical eapons, and because their rate of development is quicker than biological evolution

Question 11

Ethological perspective: 3 ways how aggression promotes survival of a species?

Answer 11

• defence of the yong (babies)
• creating territories between members of a species, so they don’t have to compete for resources
• providing a structure for society (pecking order) so the strongest of the species will survive and pass on genes, ensuring survival of a species

Question 12

Criticisms of Lorenz’ theory?

Answer 12

• relies on little empirical evidence

- relies on generalisations from animals to humans

Question 13

Main assumption of the biological perspective?

Answer 13

Assumes aggression has a biological basis and it is therefore influenced by our genes, biochemistry and neural influences

Question 14

Describe genetic influences on aggression

Answer 14

• Animal studies show aggression can be inherited
• Lagerspetz (1979) - bred aggressive with each other and non-aggressive mice with each other for 26 generations; aggressive mice attacked any other mice put in their cage and non aggressive mice did not fight back at all when attacked
• research with twin studies have provided mixed results: some say genetics play a strong role, while others say environmental factors have a stronger impact.
• genes can predispose us to being more aggressive, but environmental factors are crucial in determining whether or not we become an aggressive person.

Question 15

Describe neural influences on aggression

Answer 15

• Several parts of the brain are involved in creating aggressive responses
• increases when the hypothalamus and amygdala are electrically stimulated; if not responses are blocked
• the cerebral cortex interprets visual info to decide whether what’s being seen is aggressive, and plays an important role in initiating an aggressive response to that interpretation

Question 16

Describe biochemical influences on aggression

Answer 16

-Males (both animals and humans) are more likely than females to be aggressive due to higher testosterone levels
-Male nimals with more testosterone more aggressive than with less (or if they are desexed)
-People who convict violent crimes are more likely to have higher testosterone levels than those who convict non-violent crimes (NOTE: CORRELATION ONLY)
May also be increased through consumption of alcohol, drugs and medications
-Alcohol causes disinhibition (being in less control of feelings and actions); some believe it affects the amygdala.

Question 17

Main assumption of the social learning perspective?

Answer 17

Assumes aggression is a learned behaviour and most of the learning occurs through observing and then copying aggressive behaviour

Question 18

Define: social learning theory

Answer 18

A description and explanation of how learning occurs that takes account of the situation in which the learning occurs (eg. observational learning)

Question 19

Define: observational learning

Answer 19

aka. modelling; a type of learning that involves watching someone elses’ behaviour and its consequences, and then imitating the behaviour
(most likely to adopt when positive consequences…)

Question 20

What is Bandura (1977)’s 4 step process of observational learning?

Answer 20

1. Must pay attention to model’s behaviour and consequences
2. Must remember what was observed
3. Must have ability to reproduce or imitate behaviour
4. must be motivated to reproduce the behaviour
   (5. reinforcement)

Question 21

Describe Bandura’s research on social learning

Answer 21

-3 groups of preschool children saw video of an adult physically and verbally abusing a large inflatable doll
(one group saw reward, one group saw nothing and one group saw punishment)
-Put into room with doll and toys and were observed through one way mirror- those who saw adult being rewarded were more aggressive than others
-However, those who saw punishment were offered a reward for being aggressive, and became just as aggressive

Question 22

Other research on the social learning theory?

Answer 22

100+ experiments and 50 correlational studies have established relationship (different types) between observing violence in the mirror and subsequent violent acts

• Also may be influenced by socio-cultural influences and cognitive processes
• Some say watching violence may not increase violent behaviour, instead it is an outlet for aggression

Question 23

What is instinctive behaviour?

Answer 23

Behavaiour that is innate in all members of a species rather than learned