Theories of Agression

Question 1

What are the 6 Theories of Aggression?

Answer 1

1. Instinct Theory
2. Physiological Explanations
3. Frustration-Aggression Hypothesis
4. Social Learning Theory
5. Revised Frustration-Aggression Theory
6. Moral Disengagement

Question 2

What is the Instinct Theory?
What is Catharsis?

Answer 2

Innate instinct to be aggressive – Common to all people

• Aggression ‘builds up’, must inevitably be released

Catharsis: The release of aggressive tendencies through socially acceptable means

• Sport often identified as a method of catharsis

No evidence for aggressive instinct

No evidence that ‘catharsis’ types of behaviours decrease aggression

Question 3

What are Physiological Explanations?

Answer 3

Aggression is physiological in nature - 2 supportive mechanisms

1. Brain pathology:

• Research indicates aggressive behaviour is characteristic of people with brain tumors

2. Blood chemistry:

• Aggression linked to the hormone testosterone
• More prominent in animals than humans
• Steroid use is one exceptio

Question 4

What is the Frustration-Aggression Hypothesis?
(Two Key Proposals)

Answer 4

Two key proposals:
1. Frustration always leads to some form of aggression (or can be “blown off” via catharsis)
2. Aggression always is a result of frustration

Evidence for frustration-aggression:
– Doesn’t account for other ways in which people can cope with frustration
– Lack of support for catharsis

Question 5

What is Social Learning Theory?
(3 components)

Answer 5

Question 6

What is the Revised Frustration-Aggression
Theory?

Answer 6

Question 7

What is Moral Disengagement?

Answer 7

• Extension of social learning to address moral behaviour
• Individuals refrain from behaviours that violate their moral standards
• How do individuals justify their choices for engaging in aggression?

Question 8

What are the Eight mechanisms of moral disengagement?

Answer 8

1. Moral justification
2. Euphemistic labeling
3. Advantageous comparison
4. Displacement of responsibility
5. Diffusion of responsibility
6. Distortion of consequences
7. Dehumanization
8. Attribution of blame

Question 9

Addiotional Concerns

What is Fan Aggression?

Answer 9

• Identify with teams, increases emotional instability
• Crowd situations
• Alcohol
• Associated with aggression on the field
• Aggression on the field associated with fan enjoyment in some sports
• Reinforcement for media to highlight -> players aggression