Ch 11: Aggression Part 1: Nov. 16, 2011
Aggression Definitions Physical or verbal behavior intended to harm Distinguish between: – emotional aggression – instrumental aggression
Aggression Theories: Biology Biological foundations of aggression – is it human nature? Freud and others – needed to redirect our energy How does this theory hold up?
Testosterone (male sex hormone) also has influence – Gender differences – – Animal vs. human research - Boys/girls express aggression differently – Feelings of anger - – Gender differences in direct aggression? – Indirect aggression? – Reactions to unclear situations -
Aggression and Social Learning Is it a learned social behavior? Bandura Learn aggression through observing others. Bobo doll experiment example… – What was the method? – What were the results?
TV and Violence George Gerbner’s 30 year study of violence in movies/TV. Stats on daily TV use - Stats on # violent acts per hour on TV – Effect on behavior & beliefs? – Bushman & Eron’s longitudinal research –
– Gerbner’s research: “Mean World Syndrome” – Contrast with actual crime rates – “Happy Violence”