The frustration-aggression hypothesis Flashcards
(42 cards)
What is the frustration-aggression hypothesis?
The theory that aggression is the consequence of frustration
What is frustration?
Any event or stimulus that prevents an individual from attaining some goal and its reinforcing quality
What did Dollard state?
Aggression causes frustration and frustration causes aggression
What is catharsis?
The purging of emotions
How is catharsis associated with aggression?
Aggressive behaviour allows the purging of behaviour
How are aggressive urges relieved?
By engaging in aggressive behaviour
What are the 3 reasons aggression can’t always be expressed against the source of frustration?
Source of frustration is abstract, source of frustration is too powerful and source of frustration isn’t available
What does the psychodynamic approach suggest about aggression?
It is an innate process
What similarities are there between the FAH and the psychodynamic approach?
They both assume defence mechanisms as a key assumption
What are defence mechanisms?
Actions taken by the unconscious mind to protect the conscious mind from harm
What defence mechanisms is associated with the FAH?
Displacement
How is displacement applied to aggression?
Aggression is often directed towards an innocent person or thing, rather than the source
What are the 3 conditions affecting the likelihood of aggression?
Proximity of the goal, effectiveness of aggression and whether the aggression is justifiable
What are the 4 FAH evaluation points?
1) Supporting research from Geen
2) Contradictory evidence from Bushman
3) RWA application from Priks
4) Berkowitz weapon effect
Who found research support for the FAH?
Geen
Who were the participants in Geen’s study?
Male university students
What task were Geen’s participants given?
To complete a jigsaw puzzle
What were the 3 experimental conditions of Geen’s study?
Impossible puzzle, interfered with by confederate and insulted by a confederate
What was Geen’s high frustration condition?
Participants insulted by a confederate
What was Geen’s low frustration condition?
Impossible jigsaw puzzle
What were Geen’s participants made to do after the jigsaw puzzle?
Give shocks to the confederate
What did Geen find about participants in the high frustration group?
They gave the strongest shocks
How did Geen’s experimental groups compare to his control group?
All 3 gave stronger shocks
Who found contradictory evidence to the FAH?
Bushman