The fustration-aggression hypothesis Flashcards
Who developed the fustration aggression hypothesis
Dollard et al
What is the idea of the fustration aggression hypothesis
That all aggression was the result of fustration, which is caused by someone being prevented from getting something they want
What could inhibit aggressive behaviour
Contextual factors like threat of punishment
What is catharsis in the fustration aggression hypothesis
A form of emotional release that is achieved by the person engaging in aggressive behaviour or having aggressive thoughts about the target.
Why does catharsis work in the fustration aggression hypothesis
Fustration leads to the arousal of an aggressive drive, which then leads to aggressive behaviour. Aggressive drives can be reduced by through the production of aggressive behaviour, which therefore has a cathartic effect
What increases fustration (not justified or unjustified)
Fustration increases when our motivation to achieve a goal is very strong or when we expect gratification, and when there is nothing we can do about it
What study highlighted the fact that fustration increases when there is nothing we can do about it
Brown et al surveyed British holidaymakers prevented from going on holiday because of french fishing boats blocking the harbour. Found and increase in hostility towards the the french
Who distinguished between justified and unjustified aggression
Pastore
Who surveyed English people and found increasingly hostile opinions of the French
Brown
How did Pastore demonstate justified and unjustified fustration
He asked participants to rate levels of fustration in justified (bus didn’t stop with an out of service sign) versus unjustified (no sign) situations, found that justified resulted in much lower levels of fustration
What is the dispaced aggression theory
As it is often impossible to take out our anger on the source of our fustaration, aggression is sometimes displaced from from source to something else, called the “kicking the dog” effect
Who revised the fustration aggression hypothesis
Berkowitz
What is the revised fustration aggression hypothesis
Created by Berkowitz, he suggested that fustration was one of many unpleasant experiences that can lead to aggression, as these experiences create a ‘negative effect’ on the individual, they trigger aggression.
What is more likely to trigger aggression in the revised fustration aggression hypothesis
Unanticipated interference in reaching our goals rather than anticipated interference. It this revision, the nature of a fustrating event is less important than how negative the resulting effect is
Why might aggression not be the automatic consequence of fustration (eval)
Social Learning Theorists have argued aggression is only one possible response to fustration. They claim fustration produces generalised arousal in an individual, and they may respond aggressively if it has benefitted them in the past or if they have observed it in models. However they could respond differently, if they have learned it is unsuccessful in that condition
Why is there a lack of research support for central claims of the fustration aggression hypothesis (eval)
Catharisis has not been supported by research, with Bushman finding that behaving aggressively is likely to lead to more, rather than less aggression in future. Bushman found these aggressive thoughts kept angry feelings active in memory and made people more angry
Who found catharsis made people more angry
Bushman
How does the fustration aggression hypothesis have real world application (eval)
It has been used to explain mass killings, with Staub arguing that mass killings are often rooted in fustration caused by social and economic difficulties in society. This leads to scapegoating, discrimination and aggression. For example germans and the jews after WW1, with Goldhagen arguing that ordinary germans condoned the violence to the Jews
Who argued that mass killings are rooted in fustrations in society
Staub
What intentionalist historian can be used to support Staub
Goldhagen
Explain how it’s a bit of an issue that not all aggression arises from fustration (eval)
Fustration is just one of many adversive effects that can lead to aggression, with Reifman et al studying baseball games and finding that temperature increased pitcher’s aggressive displays. This does support the revised edition of the fustration aggression hypothesis however.
Who studied boring ass baseball pitchers
Reifman
