Psychodynamic aggression - Individual differences

Question 1

What is the tripartite theory?

Answer 1

The personality is comprised of the:
Id (pleasure principle)
Ego (reality principle)
Superego (morality principle)

Question 2

What is a key influence on the unconscious?

Answer 2

The origin of powerful aggressive instincts that may not be conscious yet our behaviour is still influenced by these hidden aggressive urges

Question 3

What indirect ways can catharsis (repression of emotions) be achieved to reduce aggression?

Answer 3

Observing aggression (e.g. violent films)
Displacement where aggression is redirected against a less powerful and more available substitute (hit punching bag instead of person)

Question 4

Weakness of psychodynamic explanation of aggression?

Answer 4

Evidence shows catharsis doesn’t reduce aggression:
Bushman 2002 angered students by getting a confederate to criticise their essays. One group (randomly allocated) vented their anger by hitting a punching bag while thinking about the confederate
They blasted confederate with louder and longer noise bursts in a later task (vs group that didn’t vent)
Opposite finding of what Tripartite theory would predict

Question 5

Thanatos?

Answer 5

Death instinct with a drive towards aggression that drives the psychic energy of the id

Question 6

Strength of psychodynamic explanation of aggression?

Answer 6

Explains hot and cold blooded aggression:
Hot blooded aggression is impulsive, angry and lacks purpose (domain of the id where the ego fails to redirect the id’s aggressive impulses)
Cold blooded aggression is deliberate, rational and purposeful- the outcome of the egos successful control of the id’s impulses
[Matched the reality of aggressive behaviour to modes of mental function to understanding various forms of aggression]

Question 7

Outline the superego that works according to the morality principle?

Answer 7

Fulfils the moral role, represents sense of right and wrong. The ideal image we have of ourselves and want to live up to
Opposes the id’s destructive aggressive drive through guilt (just as irrational and punishing in its demands as the id)

Question 8

Outline the id and pleasure principle?

Answer 8

Exists from birth, most primitive and is within the unconscious
It is the origin of the energy that motivates all our behaviour (including aggression). The unacceptable instincts, impulses and drives.
It obeys the pleasure principle: immediate gratification of desires, no consideration of other factors such as social reality (aggression is unavoidable)

Question 9

Outline the ego and the reality principle?

Answer 9

Logical, rational mostly conscious part of personality
Follows reality principle as the interface between unrealistic desires of the id and social reality
Satisfies the id by fulfilling its urges indirectly and symbolically (e.g. fantasising about violence)

Question 10

Outline catharsis and its effects on aggression?

Answer 10

Venting anger is cathartic as it releases psychic energy, reducing the aggressive drive making further aggression less likely
Preventing catharsis builds up psychic energy, producing destructive aggression inwards (self harm) or outwards (assault)

Question 11

Icebergs metaphor?

Answer 11

The unconscious is the largest part, below the surface and hidden from view
It is an active processor of it’s contents requiring psychic energy to keep these contents unconscious

Question 12

Eros?

Answer 12

Life instinct of cooperation and care that drives the psychic energy of the superego

Question 13

Application of psychodynamic explanation of aggression?

Answer 13

Reduce aggression through Catharsis (e.g. graham et al 2008 found ranting instead of venting found participants reduced aggression and gained control over their feelings)
Use in therapy to bring unconscious desires into the conscious to confront them
Practical solutions to understand and solve problems of aggressivity