Aggression

AGGRESSION

Chapter 8

What is aggression? Motivation Characteristics of Targets Situational Effects on Aggression Reducing Aggressive Behavior

Aggression!!!Aggression!!!

What is Aggression?What is Aggression?

Definition: Any act done with intent to harm Physically, Psychologically, or Socially

Physical Aggression

Forms of Aggressive Behavior

Pushing Hitting Slapping Biting

Kicking Hair-pulling Stabbing Shooting

Physical: Physical:

Verbal Aggression

Verbal Aggression

ThreateningIntimidating Malicious teasingTauntingName-callingBullying

Social Aggression

Social Aggression

GossipRumorsRejectionExclusion

GlaringIgnoring Turn away Pointing

Motivation--Theories

1) Biological view-Instincts

2) Frustration-Aggression

3) Aversive Emotional

Arousal

4) Social Learning

1) Biological View1) Biological View

Natural instinct for survival1) Species protect resources

2) Strongest animals survive & mate

3) Aggressive parents protect offspring

Instinctual AggressionCrickets

2) Frustration-Aggression 2) Frustration-Aggression

Frustration: Blocked goal-directed activity

1. Every frustration leads to aggression

2. Every aggressive act is due to frustration

3) Aversive Emotional 3) Aversive Emotional ArousalArousal

Accidents, Insults, & Attacks-> aversive affect (negative emotions) Anger

People seek to reduce or eliminate

aversive affect

4) Social Learning 4) Social Learning

Two processes:

1) Reinforcement

2) Imitation

Social Learning Theory

Reinforcement Example: Father buys son ice cream after son wins a fight with another child

ImitationExample: “Bobo doll” experiment

Characteristics of TargetsCharacteristics of Targets

Gender Race/Ethnicity Age Retaliatory Capacity Deservingness

Children

Physically aggressive behavior common among small children Push Bite Hit Pull hair

Gender DifferencesGender Differences

80+% of homicides

committed by men

Most victims are men

Escalation of disagreement

over status

Gender DifferencesGender Differences

***Situational Effects***Situational Effects

Reinforcements (rewards)

1) Direct material benefits

2) Social approval

3) Attention

Situational EffectsSituational Effects

Modeling: Observing & imitating 3 types of information:

1) Specific aggressive acts

possible

2) Appropriateness of aggression

3) Consequences of aggression

Situational EffectsSituational Effects

Norms

Negative norm of reciprocity

Retaliation proportionate to provocation

Situational EffectsSituational Effects

Environmental Cues Lowers inhibitions Intensify arousal

Weapons effect Frustrated people respond

more aggressively in presence of a gun

Reducing Aggressive Reducing Aggressive BehaviorBehavior

1) Reducing Frustration Adequate resources

2) Punishment Swift Severe Certain

3) Non-aggressive Models

4) Catharsis= Watching or engaging in acceptable aggression (sports, video games)

Peace, Joy, Love!

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