Psychodynamic Explanation for Aggression Flashcards
What is the Id?
Instinctive aspect of personality, operates on pleasure principle demanding for immediate satisfaction and doesn’t care about reality
What is the Ego?
Logical aspect of personality, operates on reality principle making conscious and rational decisions that reflect the demands of the id, superego and environment
What is the Superego?
Moral aspect of personality, operates on morality principle and develops due to moral and ethical restraints placed on us by parents
What is a defence mechanism?
Ego employs a range of defence mechanisms to deal with conflict and problems in life
How does the Id link to aggression?
Gives in to aggressive impulses
How does the Ego link to aggression?
Balances out Id and Superego, giving you a feeling of catharsis where you release your aggression
How does the Superego link to aggression?
Tries to control aggressive impulses
How does Verona and Sullivan support the Psychodynamic Explanation for Aggression?
Found when participants administered either aggressive or non-aggressive responses, heart rate reduced in aggressive responses so provides evidence that catharsis is credible in producing a calming effect
How is it a weakness that we cannot empirically test the Id, Ego or Superego?
We do not know where they exist specifically in the brain so questions (scientific) credibility as the components cannot be measured
How does the Psychodynamic Explanation of Aggression take into account nature and nurture?
Id develops naturally (nature) but superego is shaped by how strict your parents are (nurture) so it is a more complete explanation as it takes both facets into account
Why is the Psychodynamic Explanation of Aggression reductionist?
Ignores other explanations like upbringing so questions credibility as it may not be the only cause of aggression
Why is the Psychodynamic Explanation for Aggression useful for explaining individuals’ behaviours?
Explains individual differences e.g. why some people are more aggressive than others through variations of Id and Superego so it is a more useful and credible explanation as to where aggression comes from
Why is the Psychodynamic Explanation for Aggression deterministic?
We have unconscious processes which we have no control over which causes aggression so ignores influence of free-will on our decision to be aggressive
