Week 9 Review - Aggression Flashcards
What is agression?
An act performed with the intent to harm another, who wishes to avoid such harm.
What is direct aggression?
physical and verbal attacks
What is indirect aggression?
attack on social relationships (e.g., gossip, exclusion, sabotage)
What is proactive/instrumental aggression?
harm is inflicted as a means to a desired end
What is reactive/emotional aggression?
harm is inflicted for its own sake
What are some factors that can increase aggression?
- Negative feelings
- Aggressive cues
- Learning
- Individual differences
- Alcohol
What is the (outdated) frustration-aggression hypothesis? (Dollard et al., 1939)
frustration (interrupted progress toward an expected goal) always elicits the motive to aggress, all aggression is caused by frustration.
When the Frustration-agression hypothesis was revised what was found?
It is the negative feelings, not frustration itself, that can trigger aggression. Things like Provocation, pain, heat, air pollution, and odors can all trigger aggression much like frustration.
What did Berkowitz & Le Page’s 1967 study observe about agressive cues in the form of weapons in the room do to aggression in participants?
Only when you are angry does an aggressive object (gun in this case) add to an aggressive response.
What is Bandura’s social learning theory?
Indirect experience (observing others) affects the likelihood of future aggressive responses.
To test Bandura’s social learning theory, how was the bobo doll study set up? (Bandura, Ross, & Ross, 1961)
- Boys and girls aged 3-6
- exposed to same or opposite sex adult who modeled aggressive or non-aggressive behavior
- frustration experience
- opportunity to play with toys in 3rd room
- observed physical and verbal aggression
What were the results of the bobo doll study?
More aggressive play when children had seen the aggressive vs. nonaggressive adult
What are some positive correlations of violent media?
- Amount of violent TV watched as a child and aggressiveness of teenager.
- Time spent watching TV during adolescence/early adulthood and subsequent violent acts against others (i.e., assault, armed robbery)
What can happen in cultures of honour?
Even minor conflicts or disputes are often seen as challenges to social status and reputation, and can trigger aggressive responses. (culture difference north vs. south USA)
How does narcissism relate to aggression?
Higher levels of narcissism, greater aggression.
What is self-control?
The ability to resist impulses and act in line with personal/societal standards for appropriate behaviour.
What is alcohol myopia?
- narrows attention to the most salient aspects of the situation
- limits ability to think through the implications of the cues
- Alcohol myopia leads to more extreme behavior when there is inhibition conflict
How can we reduce agression?
- Punishment?
- Catharsis?
- Empathy
- Self-Control
How can we reduce agression?
- Punishment?
- Catharsis?
- Empathy
- Self-Control
Can punishment be effective in reducing aggression?
Yes, but it can also backfire by modeling more aggression.
Can punishment be effective in reducing aggression?
Yes, but it can also backfire by modeling more aggression.
When can punishment be effective in reducing aggression?
When it is prompt, certain, fair, and strong enough to deter but not too harsh as harsh punishments are unlikely to lead people to internalize desired behaviors
What is Cartharsis?
release pent up aggression, or “blow off steam”
Does Catharsis work in reducing agression?
It has been observed to backfire.
