Aggression & Attraction Social influence of Social Psychology

In psychology, aggression is defined as any physical or verbal behavior intended to hurt or destroy, whether done reactively out of hostility or proactively as a calculated means to an end. This is a more precise meaning than our typical understanding Aggression Defined

Biological Influence #1 Genetic Influences: People can have genes that give them a higher tendency to be more aggressive. Many times these people are labeled as “hot tempered” Biological Influence #1

Biological Influence #2 Neural Influences: the brain can be “wired” to make people more aggressive. Many people that experienced head trauma showed more aggressiveness and violence. Biological Influence #2

Biological Influence #3 Biochemical Influences: Hormones, alcohol and drug abuse can cause aggression. High levels of testosterone is a chemical influence. Biological Influence #3

Psychological Trigger of Aggression # 1 Averse Events: Unpleasant events can trigger aggression in people. Miserable people sometimes tend to make others miserable. Frustration-Aggression Principle: the principle that frustration (the blocking of an attempt to achieve a goal) creates anger and aggression. Psychological Trigger of Aggression # 1

Psychological Trigger of Aggression # 2 Learning Aggression is Rewarding: This is constant with bullies. Showing aggression intimidates others rewarding the bully with power. Many times learned aggression is difficult to change. Psychological Trigger of Aggression # 2

Psychological Trigger of Aggression # 3 Observing Models of Aggression: Parents are the most common models of aggression. TV violence can desensitize people. Increase in sexual aggression is attributed to the increase in R rated “slasher films” and X-rated films. Psychological Trigger of Aggression # 3

Psychological Trigger of Aggression # 4 Acquiring social scripts: There are many causes to aggression: victim of child abuse, alcoholism, dominance motives, Media. Psychological Trigger of Aggression # 4

Do Violent Video Games Teach Aggression? Yes… studies have shown that people (especially younger) are more aggressive and/or violent if they spend the majority of their time playing violent video games. Do Violent Video Games Teach Aggression?

Attraction Why are we attracted to young women or tall men? What are factors of attraction, both romantic and friendship? Why does someone “become” more or less attractive? Why do we have different “non-negotiables” when it comes to attraction? Attraction

Repeated exposure to new stimuli increases your fondness over time. Mere Exposure Effect

Most people like average qualities Most people like average qualities. The more average your physical features, the more attractive you are considered by others. Physical Attraction

We are often attracted to people that have similarly “average” features as our self. Similarity

Passionate Love Usually in the beginning of a romantic relationship The intense absorption of one another “Honeymoon Period” Passionate Love

Deep affectionate attachment for those whom our lives are intertwined Common with couples that have spent their lives together Companionate Love

The concept that you get out of what you put into a relationship. Equity

The concept of revealing intimate aspects of oneself to others. Self-Disclosure