Aggression: Frustration-aggression Hypothesis

Question 1

List points: “outline and evaluate the frustration hypothesis as explanation…”

Answer 1

1) intro: Dollard cause effect,
2) justified and unjustified frustration(doob and Sears, pastors)
3) displaced aggression
4) revised version (berkowitz)
EVAL:
1) aggression isn’t merely a response to frustration (SLT)
2) lack of research for carthasis
3) issues and debates; not overly deterministic
4) application: used to explain mass killings.

Question 2

1) intro: cause effect Dollard

Answer 2

Dollard et al stated that aggression was the result of frustration, which he classed as any event preventing an individual from reaching a goal. Hypothesis forms a cause effect relationship between aggression, frustration and catharsis (release of negative emotion). Frustration leads to arousal of aggressive drive and increases when motive is higher.

Question 3

2) unjust/justified frustration(doors and seeds and pastore)

Answer 3

Investigations carried out to test relationship:

• Doob and Sears asked pps how they’d feel in frustrating situation and most reported anger.
• Pastore argued that unjust frustration produces anger and aggression. He gave conditions of both and under just there was less anger.

Question 4

3) displaced aggression

Answer 4

When ppl are frustrated drive causes them to be aggressive to stimulus. Often it’s impossible to be aggressive to the source (e.g…) Dollard observed a “kicking the dog technique” in order for catharsis, a scapegoat is needed.

Question 5

4) a revised hypothesis (berkowitz)

Answer 5

• problem is frustration isn’t always necessary for aggression. Berkowitz revised hypothesis and argued that frustration is one of many negative experiences which cause a negative feeling which triggers aggression
• unanticipated interference with ability to reach a goal is unpleasant and alters our emotion which is likely to cause aggressive action

Question 6

EVAL 1: aggression not only automatic response to frustration.

Answer 6

Not all aggression is caused by automatic response. Slt showed that it’s rather an innate arousal which triggers a decision made depending on slt. However, sometimes it’s uncontrollable and caused by stuff like temperature which slt ignores (may be solely biological)

Question 7

EVAL 2 &3

Answer 7

2) lack of research support: claims by Dollard of catharsis had to support
3) issues and debates: not overly deterministic, means we have more of a choice by learning to not use aggression

Question 8

EVAL:4 app

Answer 8

The hypothesis has been used to explain mass murder. Staub suggests socio-economic issues in society leads to the blame being put on one group. E.g after ww1, the Jews were blamed for economical issues and loss of war.