SPE- Frustration aggression hypothesis Flashcards
What is a social psychological explanation ?
Any theory that argues aggression is the result of an interaction between an indivdual’s characteristics and features of the situations in which behaviour occurs.
What is the Frustration-aggression hypothesis ?
Social psychological theory that argues that anger, hostility and violence are always the outcome when we are prevented from achieving our goals (frustration)
Who formulated the hypothesis ?
John Dollard and his colleagues (1939)
What does the hypothesis state ?
Frustration always leads to aggression and aggression is always the result of frustration.
What is aggression seen as ?
A psychological drive akin to biological drives such as hunger.
When do we experience frustration and consequences?
When our attempts to reach a goal are blocked by some external factors.This creates an aggressive drive , leading to aggressive thoughts and behaviour such as verbal outbusts or physical violence.
What is Catharsis ?
A negative emotion which is removed when there is an aggressive drive (psychodynamic approach)
How is aggressive behaviour cathartic ?
Aggression created by frustration is satisfied, therefore reducing the drive and making further aggression less likely.
We feel better
3 reasons that the FA hypothesis recognises that aggression is not always expressed directly against the source :
1.Cause of frustration may be abstract, eg economic situation,government
2.Cause may be too powerful and we risk punishment by aggressing against it
3.Cause may be unavailable at the time
What happens when our aggression is not directed at the source ?
Aggression is deflected or displaced onto an alternative - one that is not abstract, weaker and is available.
Research sone by Leonard Berkowitz (1989) :
Frustration merely creates a readinesss for aggression.But the presence of aggressive cues in the environment make acting upon this more likely. Therefore, cues are an additional element of the FA Hypothesis
Berkowitz lab study demonstratin the weapon effect :
-Ppts were given fake electric shocks by a confederate, creating anger and frustration.
-Ppts later had the oppurtunity to give fake shocks to confederate.
Results of research on ‘weapon effect’ :
Number of shocks was greater when there were 2 guns on the table compared to other conditions where there were no guns.
6.07 v 4.67
What does the weapon effect show ?
It supports Berkowitz contention that the presence of aggressive environmental cues stimulates aggression
How many pieces of research are done in this sub topic ?
2
Weapon affect
-Investigate how frustration affects aggression
