PSY2001 SEMESTER 1 - WEEK 9 Flashcards
define aggression
behaviour designed to harm others in some way
name 4 methods of studying aggression
analogues of behaviour (bobo doll, button pressing for fake electric shocks)
signals of intention (expressing willingness for aggression)
ratings (self-report, others, observation)
indirect aggression method (non-physical, relational, psycho)
what are anaglogue of behaviour
substituting aggression for a task, makes studying it ethical
give a weakness of analogues of behaviour to study aggression
lacking generalisability for real life
give a weakness of signals of intention to study aggression
intention doesn’t always translate to behaviour
give weaknesses of ratings to study aggression
SDB
observations can be interpreted inline with prior expectations/hypothesis
give weakness of indirect method to study aggression
inflates prevalence of aggression if comparing to direct/physical measures of aggression
in summary, what do biological theories of aggression propose
pattern of responses genetically predetermined with instinct being:
goal-directed, terminating in specific consequence
beneficial
adapted to normal environment
shared by most member in species
developed in clear ways
unlearnt
outline the psychodynamic biological approach of aggression (Freud)
unconscious drive of thanatos, building up in us over time, creating uncontrollable pressure to do an aggressive act
is dealt with via redirecting to other activity (catharsis)
what is thanatos and eros
thanatos = death instinct
eros = life instinct
outline biological approach of evolution in aggression (Darwin)
aggressive behaviour ensures genetic survival, so linked to living long enough to procreate (father fighting other for mating and mothers aggressive to protect offspring)
in humans, to obtain social, economic advatnage to increase children survival rate
what is ethology
instinctual explanation of human aggression comparing to animal behaviour, fixed action pattern
elicited by specific environmental stim (releaser), has survival values
name strengths of biological approach of aggression
evidence from idea of violence part of human nature, comparisons to animal behaviour
name weaknesses of biological approaches of aggression
- genetic instincts unmeasurable
- support from only observation which cannot establish causality
- evolutionary tendency develop over thousands of years so hard to study
- humans aggressive outside of situation where defending children
- behaving aggressive toward relative (not accounted by bio theories)
- evolutionary approach not informing prevantative/intervention work as cannot change genetics (anger management therapy still works tho, so obvs isnt genetics)
summarise biosocial approach of frustration-aggression hypothesis (dollard)
based on catharsis hypothesis with frustration being antecedent to aggression
when we drive to achieve goal and ten blocked we are frustrated and drived toward aggression (cathartic release of our frustration)
when we cannot challenge direct source of aggression (biosocial frustration aggression hypothesis) what do we do
sublimation and displacement
define sublimation
using aggression in acceptable activities (sport)
define displacement
directing aggression outward onto something or someone else
summarise biosocial explanation excitation transfer of aggression (Zillman)
experience physiological arousal in a context which carries over to other situations and increases likelihood of aggressive behaviour
in biosocial excitation transfer model, what 3 condition are required
1st= stimuli producing arousal or excitation
2nd= stimulus occur before complete decay of arousal from 1st stimuli
there is misattribution of excitation to 2nd stimulus
name advantages of biosocial explanations
- testable theory and can produce intervention (identify specific situ, how can be modified to prevent aggression)
- explain why displace onto random object, explain hate crime
- Marcus-Newhall meta-analysis showing ppt provoked and unable to directly retaliate more likely to aggress onto innocent party (displaced)
name weaknesses of biosocial explanations
- only focus on frustration, some experience other emotions (sadness)
- Bushman, those venting anger onto punchbag become angrier, more aggressive
social learning theory for aggression was created by Bandura research study, summarise this
observes adult attacking bobo doll when they are upset in person, video, cartoon or control (don’t see it)
and found most for live, then video, then cartoon and then control
summarise social learning theory of aggression
learnt:
directly (operant conditioning)= child rewarded for aggressive act and so repeat behaviours
indirectly (observational learning + vicarious reinforcements)= watching role model to see consequence
whether a person is aggressive in a specific situation, depends on what?
- previous experience of others aggressive behaviour
- how successful aggressive behaviour been in past
- current likelihood that aggressive person rewarded/punished
- cognitive, environ, social factors in situation
name strengths of social learning theory
- accounts how child learn aggression via others, media
- empirical lab supports
name weaknesses of social learning theory
- lab lacking ecological val
- aggressive role model not always causing aggressive behaviour
- doesn’t consider individual differences
- effect of violent media on aggression not consistently replicated
- bobo instead found boys more aggression>girls and regardless of experiemtnal cdn, so underestimating importance of biological factors
outline sex difference for aggression
men engage more frequent (but due to socialisation?)
individual variation in testosterone levels across genders with only weak positive rel w aggression
learn gender appropriate behaviours (indirect aggression is more appropriate for women)
what is sociocultural theory for gender as whole
psychological gender difference determined by individuals adaptation to restriction in society