Aggression and Violence Chapter Eleven Aggression and Violence

Defining Aggression Aggression is any form of behavior that is intended to injure someone physically or psychologically hostile aggression: impulsive instrumental aggression: purposeful relational aggression: damage to relationships

Concept Review

Theories of Aggression General Aggression Model (GAM) aggressive thoughts aggressive feelings physiological arousal Incorporates elements of other popular theories of aggression

Concept Review

Frustration and Aggression Argued that aggression was always a consequence of frustration Frustration broadly defined as the blocking of efforts to obtain a goal Frustration-aggression hypothesis: frustration always leads to some form of aggression frustration is the only cause of aggression

Frustration and Aggression Revisited Original frustration-aggression hypothesis was too simplistic for example, anger can produce aggression as readily as frustration can Revised frustration-aggression hypothesis: frustration sometimes causes aggression aggression is sometimes caused by frustration

Displaced Aggression and Catharsis aggression is directed toward something other than the source of frustration Catharsis getting aggression “out of one’s system” doesn’t work opportunities for aggression usually heighten subsequent aggression

Excitation Transfer Unrelated physiological arousal can be linked to anger-related thoughts and cognitions This can increase anger-related aggression

Figure 11.4 Diagram of conditions in Zillmann, Katcher, and Milavsky experiment, 1972

Social Learning Theory Humans learn many kinds of responses simply by observing others aggressive responses can be learned through the same process Bobo doll experiments are an example

Figures 11.5 Number of acts of imitative aggression in each condition

Cognitive Neoassociation Model Unpleasant event arouses negative emotion Negative emotion triggers two schemas: tendency to fight tendency toward flight These schemas activate anger and fear cues in the environment guide behavior toward one set of responses or the other

Nice GAMs The General Aggression Model incorporates aspects of frustration/aggression, excitation transfer, social learning, cognitive neoassociation

Concept Review

Aggression: Individual Differences Narcissists often display threatened egotism hostility and aggression in response to being criticized Trait aggressiveness some people are more likely than others to respond to provocation with aggression

Aggression and Alcohol As a depressant, alcohol reduces normal inhibitions against aggression Alcohol consumption causes changes in thought, perception, and interpretation this can have indirect effects on aggression Alcohol myopia refers to a narrowing of attention and reduction in cognitive capacity when intoxicated

Social Context of Aggression Culture and aggression there are cultural differences in levels of aggressive behavior, as typically measured by rates of homicide or other violent crime the United States, for example, often has the highest rate of homicide among industrialized nations “culture of honor” may explain regional differences in aggressive behavior

Aggression on the Playground Anger emerges as a distinct emotional response within the first six months of life As children age, aggressive responses follow a developmental sequence

Aggression in Close Relationships Batterers family-only aggressors are least violent dysphoric/borderline aggressors sometimes engage in severe physical abuse generally violent/antisocial aggressors are indiscriminate in their violent acts, often victimizing an available target (such as a family member)

Aggression in Groups Mob violence may be due to: deindividuation conformity pressure Mob violence may be organized (e.g., the Klan) or disorganized (e.g., a riot)

Media Effects on Aggression: TV Television violence longitudinal studies reveal that aggressive adults had watched more violence on television as children and had identified more closely with aggressive characters then did less-aggressive adults

Media Effects on Aggression: Games Violent video games some researchers have concluded that the available evidence linking game playing and aggression is marred by methodological flaws that limit strong conclusions other researchers have found small but significant effects relating game playing to increased aggression

Media Effects on Aggression: Pornography Some definitions erotica is sexually explicit, nonviolent degrading pornography debases people, usually women violent pornography depicts hostile sexual activity Erotica has few if any negative effects Conclusions regarding the other forms are less clear

Controlling Aggression and Violence Controlling anger cognitive-relaxation coping skills training and cognitive restructuring contribute to this process Teaching alternatives to aggression communication and empathy are key Reducing aversive environments minimizing physical discomfort is one approach