Psychodynamic explanation of aggression Flashcards
What is the super ego?
Works on morality principle, comes from parents from ethical and moral restraints
An under developed super ego leads to an increase in aggression
What is the ego?
Works on the reality principle, makes decisions and balances the needs of the superego and the id
What is the id?
Works on the pleasure principle, if it doesn’t get what it wants it becomes frustrated with its desires causing an increase in aggression
What is meant by the eros?
The life instinct which reduces aggression ( unconscious)
What is meant by Thanatos?
The death instinct which is the source of aggression (unconscious)
What is catharsis?
A way of dealing with aggressive urges of id and thanatos without actual violence
What is displacement?
Taking anger in a different environment - defence mechanisms
Who supports?
The psychodynamic approach is supported by Verona and Sullivan because they when participants electrocuted via a small shock it had a calming effect. This is a strength because it supports the idea of catharsis which means it is a credible explanation.
However giving participants electric shocks is not protecting them from harm so goes against ethical guidelines.
Who conflicts?
The psychodynamic approach is conflicted by Raine because he found those who had higher activity in the amygdala and lower activity in the pre frontal cortex were more aggressive. This is a better explanation because it can be tested via brain scans which lowers the credibility of the id and ego because they are just concepts and cannot be tested empirically.
However Raines participants were from prisons which could of had an effect on their brain activity due to it being a stressful environment which lowers the credibility.
What is another explanation?
Another explanation f aggression is the hormone explanation which suggests if you have high levels of testosterone you have higher levels of aggression. This is a better explanation of aggression as it cane tested empirically via blood tests which means it is credible explanation of human aggression.
How is it useful?
The pyscodynamic approach is useful because it allows parents tout in place moral restraints. This is a strength because means that their children are likely to have lower levels of aggression when restraints are Putin place which means it is a valid explanation of aggression.
However this explanation is socially sensitive because it is blaming parents for aggression.
Can it be tested?
The Id , ego and superego are just concepts this means that there is no direct evidence of them existing because they cannot be tested. This is a weakness because the concepts are subjective as everyone will interpret personality types differently which lowers the credibility of the explanation
