Causes Of Aggression

Causes of Human Aggression

Social Determinants

Cultural Factors

Personality Factors

Situational Determinants

Social DeterminantsSocial Determinants

Frustration

Provocation

Heightened Arousal

Frustration: Frustration – Aggression Hypothesis

Hypothesis made two Assertions-

1. Frustrations always lead to Aggressions

2. Aggression always stems from frustration

Many different reactionsSadness,Despair,Depression

People Aggress for many different reason

As the part of there Duty and patriotism/Instrumental reason

Illegitimate or unjustified

Direct Provocation:Annoyed or irritated

Physical or Verbal Provocation

Condescension – Expression of arrogance or disdain on the part of other powerful harsh and criticism

Teasing- provoking statement that call attention to the target’s flaws and imperfections, can range from mild, humorous remarks

Heightened Arousal:Emotions

Cognition

Aggression

Whatever its source – can enhance aggression in response to provocation ,frustration or other factors

Arousal stemming from varied sources as participation in

Competitive games, some type of music,Exposure to Media violence:Effect of violence in films on television & in video games

1.Research on exposure to violent television ,movies, video games& music indicates that such materials significantly increase the likelihood of aggressive behaviour by people exposed to them

2. Such effects are both short term and long term in nature

3. The magnitude of these effects is large – various medical effects.

Cultures of honorAggression stems from Belifs,norms &

expectation is appropriate or required under certain circumstances.

Cultures of honor

Culture in which there are strong norms indicating that aggression is an appropriate response to insults to one’s honor.

Sexual Jealousy

Aggression which springs from infidelity(Unfaithful) real or imagined.

Under this situation of aggression are condoned at least to a degree.

Instances: Crime of passion, in which husbands murder their wives or their wives lover.

This Suggest that in cultures of honor , jealousy will be a powerful determinant of aggression.

Personality & Aggression

Aggression causes from social behaviour often derives from a complex interaction between situational factors and personal traits or other characteristics.

TASS Model Theory:

The trait as situational sensitivities model.

This model suggest that factors are strong enough to trigger them ,do they influence behaviour only when situation evoke them

TASS model makes the following predictions The tendency to behave aggressively will

only influence overt behaviour when situational factors are strong enough to activate it. For people high in this trait, even weak provocation will stimulate an aggressive reaction;

for people low in this trait , in contrast much stronger levels of provocation are required to trigger aggression.

Types of BehaviourType A Behaviour Type B Behaviour

Extremely competitive, Always in hurry, irritable & aggressive

Not highly competitive, more relaxed, remain clam even in the face of strong provocation

Engage in Hostile Aggression Engage in instrumental Aggression

Engage in action such as child abuse, spouse abuse

Not engage in such actions

Personality & Aggression

– Narcissism (over-inflated view of oneself)• Narcissists react with high levels of aggression when

feedback from others threatens their inflated self-image.

– Sensation seeking• People high in sensation seeking (seek new, risky

experiences) show higher levels of both physical and verbal aggression compared to others.

• Personal Causes of Aggression– Gender differences • Overall males report engaging in more aggressive

behavior than do females. • The extent of gender differences depends on the

situation and the type of aggression. – Males are significantly more likely than females to aggress

against others when they have not been provoked in any manner .

– Males are more likely than females are to use direct forms of aggression (physical assaults, shouting).

– Females are more likely than males are to use indirect forms of aggression (gossiping, spreading rumors).

Situational Determinants of Aggression

High temperatures and aggression

High temperature tend to increase aggression but only up to a point. Beyond some level aggression declines as temperature rise.

Alcohol consumption and Aggression

• consuming alcohol (enough to be legally drunk) can increase more

aggressively and respond to provocations more strongly than do participants who do not drink alcohol.

• The effects of alcohol on aggressive behavior may be due to reduced cognitive functioning . – Alcohol makes it harder for people to evaluate the intentions of

others and to consider the consequences of acting aggressively. – And, it may release the inhibitions of people who typically are not

very aggressive.

Prevention and Control of Aggression

Some Useful Techniques– Punishment • Delivery of aversive consequences • Two beliefs regarding its implementation

– Aggressive behavior deserves to be punished.– Punishment of aggressive behavior deters future

aggression.

• However, to be effective it must be prompt, certain, strong, and justified or deserved

Prevention& Control of Aggression

Some Useful Techniques Punishment:

Delivery Aversive Consequences is a major technique for reducing aggression.(Large Fines, Put in Prison, Physical Punishment)

• Two beliefs regarding its implementation– Aggressive behavior deserves to be punished.– Punishment of aggressive behavior deters(Discourage)

future aggression

Punishment can reduce aggression ,but only if it meets four basic requirements

Prompt: It must follow aggressive actions as quickly as possible.

Certain to Occur : The probability that it will follow aggression must be high.

Must be Strong: Strong enough to be highly unpleasant to potential recipients.

Justified or Deserved: It must be perceived by recipients as justified or deserved

Catharsis Hypothesis — opportunity to express aggressive impulses in “safe” ways will reduce tendencies to engage in more harmful forms of aggression

Catharsis - (The release of pent-up emotions)

Hypothesis (Guess, speculation)

Catharsis hypothesis –

The view that providing angry people with an opportunity to express their aggressive impulses in relatively safe ways will reduce their tendencies to engage in more harmful forms of aggression.

Cognitive Interventions -• Apologies and good excuses can reduce anger

and aggression.• Perform acts that overcome cognitive deficits

associated with anger • Engage in activities that distract attention away

from causes of anger and allow anger to lessen

Forgiveness —Giving up desire to punish someone who has caused harm, and seeking, instead, to act in kind, helpful ways toward them.

Surrendering the desire for revenge – is effective in reducing aggression.

• Involves empathy, external attributions, avoiding rumination

Non- Violence: An Indian Perspective

The Concept may not be specific to Indian society, but its practise has been wide spread in India – from Buddha to Gandhi. The 20th century saw the end of domination of foreign rule over the Indian subcontinent , which was to a large part attributed to Gandhi's practise of non – violent cooperation. The British may have termed it as aggression but the Indians saw it as assertiveness of a powerful command of a peacemaker.

This practise has been followed in many protest movement in India, Two of the most notable being the Chipko Movement and the Narmada Bachao Andolan.