Topic 4 - Aggression Flashcards

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1
Q

What is aggression?

A

behaviour whose purpose is to harm another

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2
Q

Methods of studying aggression?

A
  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
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3
Q

Direct vs indirect aggression?

A
  • direct aggression = the aggressor is identifiable and can be counterattacked
  • indirect aggression = the aggressor remains hidden
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4
Q

Instrumental vs expressive aggression?

A
  • instrumental = aggression in order to achieve a goal
  • expressive = using aggression as anger
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5
Q

Theories of expressive aggression: Freud psychoanalytic theory

A
  • aggression is due to a weak ego
  • release aggression through catharsis
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6
Q

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

A
  • 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
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7
Q

What is the ‘common sense’ argument?

A

frustrations produce aggression because they are unpleasant

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8
Q

Theories of expressive aggression: environmental factors

A
  • violence peaks when temperature is high
  • context and higher order cognition adjust chances of aggression
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9
Q

Theories of instrumental aggression: Social learning and media

A
  • 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
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10
Q

Theories of instrumental aggression: Cultural effects

A
  • settler mentality culturally transmitted through generations
  • argument related homocides 6x higher in southern than northern US states
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11
Q

Evolutionary approach?

A
  • focus on aggression as an outcome of cost/ benefit balance
  • focus on sex differences: benefits to men, costs to women
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12
Q

Evolutionary theories: Daly & Wilson?

A
  • believe mate competition is key
  • physical aggression = high risk / high gain
  • males may use aggression to establish status
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13
Q

Evolutionary theories: Campbell?

A
  • 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
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14
Q

Aggression and heritability?

A
  • aggression is strongly heritable
  • suggests a genetic component as well as environmental/ cultural influences
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15
Q

Aggression and testosterone?

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