Topic 4 - Aggression

Question 1

What is aggression?

Answer 1

behaviour whose purpose is to harm another

Question 2

Methods of studying aggression?

Answer 2

1. observation
   - mainly done with children
   - ecologically valid
   - time consuming
   - ethical issues
2. lab exp
   - lack ecological validity
3. self report questionnaire
   - relies on memory/ honesty
   - large samples are possible
   - validity can be questioned

Question 3

Direct vs indirect aggression?

Answer 3

• direct aggression = the aggressor is identifiable and can be counterattacked
• indirect aggression = the aggressor remains hidden

Question 4

Instrumental vs expressive aggression?

Answer 4

• instrumental = aggression in order to achieve a goal
• expressive = using aggression as anger

Question 5

Theories of expressive aggression: Freud psychoanalytic theory

Answer 5

• aggression is due to a weak ego
• release aggression through catharsis

Question 6

Theories of expressive aggression: Frustration-aggression theory (Dollars et al 1939)

Answer 6

• frustration is interference with a goal response that leads to a reward
• aggression always results from frustration
• level of aggression depends on:
  -> whether aggression will end the frustration
  -> whether some subsequent account of the frustration is offered

Question 7

What is the ‘common sense’ argument?

Answer 7

frustrations produce aggression because they are unpleasant

Question 8

Theories of expressive aggression: environmental factors

Answer 8

• violence peaks when temperature is high
• context and higher order cognition adjust chances of aggression

Question 9

Theories of instrumental aggression: Social learning and media

Answer 9

• Bandura carried out the bobo doll study and observed aggressive behaviours
• Johnston et al found a correlation between hours of tv viewing per day and aggressive behaviour
• Anderson & Bushman carried out a meta-analysis of computer games and found that they increase aggressive behaviour, decrease prosocial behaviour and increase arousal

Question 10

Theories of instrumental aggression: Cultural effects

Answer 10

• settler mentality culturally transmitted through generations
• argument related homocides 6x higher in southern than northern US states

Question 11

Evolutionary approach?

Answer 11

• focus on aggression as an outcome of cost/ benefit balance
• focus on sex differences: benefits to men, costs to women

Question 12

Evolutionary theories: Daly & Wilson?

Answer 12

• believe mate competition is key
• physical aggression = high risk / high gain
• males may use aggression to establish status

Question 13

Evolutionary theories: Campbell?

Answer 13

• focused on costs to women
• infant survival most dependent on mothers
• physical aggression = high risk/ low gain in women
• men viewed their aggression as instrumental
• women viewed their aggression as expressive = a loss of control

Question 14

Aggression and heritability?

Answer 14

• aggression is strongly heritable
• suggests a genetic component as well as environmental/ cultural influences

Question 15

Aggression and testosterone?

Answer 15

• T is higher in men than women
• aggression is associated with poor self control and high impulsivity
• T reduces inhibitory control