Social Psychological explanations of human aggression Flashcards
Frustration aggression hypothesis
-Frustration-aggression hypothesis suggests that aggression is always caused by frustration
-Frustration occurs when our goal-directed behaviour is blocked
Catharsis
-Frustration builds up and forms mental tension. Aggressive acts then release this tension in a process called catharsis, which provides a pleasant feeling after releasing a strong emotion
Aggression displacement
Aggression displacement is moving the aggression from the source of frustration to a, often weaker, target such as a family member or pet
Reasons for aggression displacement
-Source of frustration may be an abstract concept
-Source of frustration may not be present
-Fear of consequences
Social factors influencing aggression
-Proximity to goal (how close you are to achieving the goal)
-If being aggressive actually removes the barrier to the goal
-If aggression helps them to achieve their goals (rewards) and does not lead to negative responses (punishments) then aggressive behaviour is reinforced and more likely to occur
Geen (1968) study on verbal insults vs frustration
Geen (1968) a group of ppts were interfered with (frustrated) by non hostile confederates while attempting to complete a jigsaw puzzle, causing them to be unable to finish the puzzle
-Another group of ppts were verbally insultd by confederates when they finished the puzzle
-Both groups of ppts shocked the confederates at higher levels than those in a control group who had not been attacked or frustrated
-However, those who were verbally insulted gave higher levels of shock
-This suggests that although frustration is a big factor in aggression, there are other more important psychological factors
A03 study supporting the frustration aggression hypothesis (queues)
Researchers wanted to investigate the frustration aggression aspect of aggression and instructed confederates to push into a real line either near the front or near the back
-The person behind’s aggressive responses was then coded and recorded
-Researchers found that those closer to the front of the line were significantly more frustrated than those near the back of the line
-This suggests that frustration leads to aggression and the frustration is more intense if the goal is close
A03 negative Evaluation
Frustration-aggression hypothesis fails to explain why individuals can resist being aggressive in certain cases when they become frustrated
Social Learning theory in the context of aggression
Aggressive behaviours are more likely to be imitated if the observer observes the role model being rewarded for their aggressive behaviour (vicarious reinforcement) and is less likely to imitate if they are punished for aggressive behaviour (vicarious punishment)
Identification in the context of aggression
-If the observer considers the role model to be attractive or has a high social status, or if they are similar to them in any way, such as age or gender, they are more likely to imitate aggressive behaviour
Bobo Doll study A03 Strength
-Children who observed an adult hitting an inflatable doll were more likely to imitate this aggressive behaviour
-Those who watched a non-aggressive adult not hit the inflatable doll were more likely to be non-aggressive themselves
-The highest results were when the adult was the same gender as the observer
-This suggests that children learn aggression based off of social learning theory principles
Deindividuation
Deindividuation involves a loss of awareness and a reduced sense of responsibility
Reduction of inhibition
-People in large crowds are less likely to be spotted
-This gives an individual a sense of anonymity
-This also lowers feelings of guilt and inhibition around committing aggressive acts
Factors increasing anonymity
Uniforms
Masks
Darkness
Public self awareness
-People have a reduced sense of personal responsibility because they care less about what other people think of them, this is called public self awareness
Private self awareness
-As we are focusing outwards, we are less able to reflect on our values and personal beliefs
-This loss of private awareness means that we are less likely to be able to regulate aggressive acts
A03 Evaluation study for deindividuation - Zimbardo female ppts
Zimbardo carried out a study where female participants in groups of four would shock a learner (confederate) that they could see being asked questions behind a one way mirror. The deindividuated group were given hoods and large labcoats so that they were unidentifiable
-The identifiable group were introduced by name and given large name tags
-The deindividuated groups gave shocks for twice as long on average as those in the individuated group
-This suggests that anonymity increases aggression
Deindividuation (positive) A03 face validity
The idea that deindividuation causes higher levels of aggression has face validity
-Aspects of warfare lead to deindividuation
-for example some tribal societies use face paint and war masks and modern armies use uniforms, removing individuality
General social psychological evaluations (positive practical applications)
Research into social psychological research hcan have useful practixal applications
-For example frustration aggression can be used to reduce frustration by providing opportunities for catharsis that minimises harm (computer games)
External validity (AO3 negative)
Much of the experimental research carried out on social factors affecting aggression only shows short-term cause and effects of this link within a lab situation.
-It is difficult to find long-term examples of these links within real-world scenarios
-reducing the external validity of these theories
General Evaluation (negative) role of biological processes
Social psychological explanation of aggression suggests that complex aggression is solely as a result of interactions with the environment
-However, there is a significant amount of research evidence in support of the role of genetics(MAOA gene), biological processes and neurotransmitters (serotonin) within aggression
-This therefore suggests that the social psychological explanation of aggression is incomplete
