Social Psychological Explanations of Aggression: Frustration-Aggression Hypothesis

Question 1

Outline the frustration-aggression hypothesis

Answer 1

First formulated by Dollard (1939)
States that frustration always leads to aggression & aggression always result of frustration
Aggression = psych drive akin to bio drives like hunger - we xp frustration when our attempts to reach goal blocked by some external factor
Creates aggressive drive, leading to aggressive thoughts/behaviour, like violent fantasy or outburst
This removes negative emotion - called catharsis
Aggression created by frustrated is satisfied, thereby reducing drive & making further aggression less likely
Aggression behaviour cathartic & we feel better

Question 2

Describe why aggression isn’t always expressed directly to source of frustration as part of the F-A hypothesis

Answer 2

Cause of frustration may be abstract, like economic situation, government or music industry
Cause too powerful, risking punishment by aggressing against it, e.g. teacher gave you lower grade than expected
Cause is unbelievable at time, e.g. teacher left room before you realised grade you got

So our aggression is displaced on to alternative - one that isn’t abstract, is weaker & available

Question 3

Outline the weapon effect

Answer 3

Even if we become angry, we still might not behave aggressively
According to Berkowitz (1989), frustration merely creates readiness for aggression
Presence of aggressive cues in environment make acting upon this more likely
Thus cues = additional element of F-A hypothesis
Berkowitz (1967)
Parties given real electric shocks by confederate, creating anger & frustration
Parties later had opportunity to give fake shocks to confederate
Number of shocks > when two guns on table compared to other conditions where there’s no guns
Supports Berkowitz’s contention that presence of aggressive environmental cues simulates aggression

Question 4

Outline research on frustration-aggression

Answer 4

Green (1968) carried out study to investigate how frustration affects aggression

University men completed jigsaw puzzle
Frustration level experimentally manipulated in 1 of 3 ways:
1. Puzzle impossible to solve
2. Ran out of time as another student in room kept interfering
3. Confederate insulted participant as they failed to solve puzzle
All parties later had opportunity to give confederate electric shocks

Insulted parties gave strongest shocks on average, then interfered group, then impossible task
All 3 groups selected more intense shocks than non-frustrated control group

Question 5

Evaluate the Frustration-Aggression hypothesis

Answer 5

Strength - RESEARCH SUPPORT
E.g. - Marcus-Newhall (2000) conducted meta-analysis of 49 studies of displaced aggression. These studies investigated situations which aggressive behaviour had to be directed against ‘human target’ other than 1 causing frustration. Researchers concluded displaced aggression = reliable phenomenon. Frustrated parties provoked but unable to retaliate directly significantly more likely to aggress against innocent party than people not provoked.
Ex. - Shows frustration can lead to aggression against weaker or more available to target

Limitation - ROLE OF CATHARSIS - Shows aggression may not be cathartic
E.g. - Bushman (2002) found parties venting anger by repeatedly hitting punchbag actually became more aggressive. Doing nothing more effective reducing aggression than venting. Bushman argues venting to reduce anger = petrol on fire & better people feel after venting = more aggressive you’re
Ex. - Shows central assumption of F-A hypothesis may not be valid

Limitation - COMPLEX FRUSTRATION-AGGRESSION LINK
E.g. - Early research into H-A hypothesis shows frustration doesn’t always lead to aggression - can occur without frustration, nothing automatic about link between 2. Someone who feels frustrated may behave in range of ways, E.g. helpless/determined
Ex. - Suggests F-A hypothesis inadequate as only explains how aggression arises in some situations no others