Aggression

Question 1

Aggression - Definition

Answer 1

The intent to harm

Question 2

Why? Biological explanations

Answer 2

Because we are instinctive (= goal directed with a specific consequence, beneficial, adapted to a normal environment, shared, developed through life and unlearned/inherent):

• Psychodynamic theory - One-factor theory, aggression builds up naturally and must be released
• Ethology - Two-factor theory, (1) there is an innate urge to aggress (= fighting instinct), (2) the expression of that aggression is conditional on appropriate stimulation. by environmental releasers. This explanation is limited by our lack of appeasement gestures, the use of distance weapons and even weapons in general
• Evolutionary psychology - Specific behavior promotes the survival of genes which allows us to live longer. Aggression allows us to live longer.
• Limitations - Difficult to measure (only empirical observation), does not help to prevent it and offers causal connection which lack evidence

Question 3

Why? Social and biosocial explanations

Answer 3

1. Frustration and aggression
2. Excitation transfer - A learnt aggressive behavior will manifest itself if there is arousal or excitation from another source and that the person interprets an aggressive behavior as appropriate
3. Prejudice
4. Social learning theory - Aggressive behavior is learnt (by direct or vicarious experience) and replicated based on:
   - A person’s previous experiences
   - The success rate of aggressive behaviour
   - The likelihood that aggressive behavior will be rewarded/punished
   - The array of cognitive, social and environmental factors

Question 4

Why? Individual differences

Answer 4

1. Type 1 personality
2. Hormones (testosterone highers, cortisone lowers, serotonin)
3. Gender (sexual selection theory and social role theory)
4. Catharsis (wrong!)
5. Alcohol (disinhibition, alcohol prevents cortical control and increases activity in primitive brain areas, more prone to pressure, prevents changes to positive impressions and promotes changes to negative impressions)
6. Disnhibition, de individuation and dehumanisation

Question 5

Why? Situational variables

Answer 5

In our physical environment:

• Heat - The relationship between heat and aggression follows an inverted U
• Crowding - Because there is invasion of personal space and a high level of population density
• Situational cues - Weapons effect

Question 6

How? General aggression model

Answer 6

Combination of all explanations

1. Input:
   - Person
   - Situation
2. Internal state:
   - Affect
   - Cognition
   - Arousal
3. Appraisal:
   - Throughtful
   - Impulsive
4. Action:
   - Social encounter

Question 7

How? Societal influences

Answer 7

1. Disadvantaged groups - Because of relative deprivation, you might commit aggressive acts. Also because you are disadvantaged, you might become a passive victim
2. Emancipation of women led to an increase in crime rates for women
3. Cultural differences - Culture of honor ((1) Female infidelity damages a man’s reputation, (2) that can be partly restored by exacting retribution, (3) the cultural value of female loyalty and sacrifices on one hand and male honour on the other validates abuse
4. Subculture of violence (like machismo)

Question 8

Why? Because of mass media

Answer 8

• Mass media shows and sometimes promotes aggression (if gone unpunished or rewarded)
• People mimic
• People experience desensitization
• Rape myths
• There is no direct link between erotica and aggression however, when violence is mixed with sex, there is desensitization.

Question 9

Why does the mass media influence us?

Answer 9

1. Ideomotor response - Simply thinking about an act can facilitate its performance
2. Priming effect:
   - Memory is a collection of nodes
   - A node include substantive elements of thoughts and feeling connected through associative pathways
   - A thought activates different nodes (it’s automatic)
3. Weapons effect
4. Acquisition of aggressive scripts

Question 10

What about domestic violence?

Answer 10

1. Females use more violence than men
2. Female violence tends to do less harm
3. Homosexuals are also victims -> Because of belief in a just world, we blame the victim
4. Most sexual assaults are committed by men
5. Women usually use violence as self defence
6. We hurt the one we love because of:
   - Abuse syndrome
   - Proximity
   - Stress (within the household)
   - Division of power
   - Alcohol consumption

Question 11

Institutionalised aggression

Answer 11

Society defines when aggression is good or bad:

• The state can use propaganda or laws to legitimize aggression, genocide, prejudice…
• People are willing to aggress when obeying a legitimate authority (Milgram) - Citizens enter an agent state where they distance themselves from personal responsibility for their actions
• ‘Group-centrism’ - Violent extremism is associated with societal uncertainty, to protect and promote your group’s ideology

Question 12

How do you reduce aggression?

Answer 12

1. Behavioral and counseling psychology
2. Avoiding the use of violence with children and punitive tactics
3. Media studies
4. The law
5. Improve the situation of disadvantaged groups
6. Peace studies

Question 13

What is the ‘Steam Boiler Model’?

Answer 13

1. The organisms produces aggressive energy
2. Eventually it overflows and has to be expressed
3. After release, your energy level is decreased

Question 14

What is the cognitive neo-association model?

Answer 14

Fight or flight