Roots of Aggression Two Theories

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Two Views of Aggression’s Source Biological source--evolutionary/adaptive on a continuum with our animal ancestry Psychological source--rooted in humanity and something peculiar or unique to us!

Ethologists’ Theory of Human Aggression! Predation vs. Aggression Wynne-Edwards: stable populations --animals don’t all starve equally --competitions & displays (red grouse fight at dawn for 2 hrs. then feed togthr. --swarming --Tribolium (Chapman) 1 to 32 breeding pairs, after 6 months, Get 44 beetles/gram flour

Role of Aggression Fitness selection (mature breeders) & resource allocation Cost of aggression (hurt/killed) Limitations on cost: --Dominance hierarchies (hens/monkeys) or individual territories (bower birds) --Mechanisms that minimize damage: –-- threat display –-- ritualized combat Mobbing-a powerful social behavior

Bowerbird Territory

Ritualized Combat xSR3D01s

Implications for Humans Lorenz & Eibl-Eibesfeldt: dangerous vs. non-dangerous animals & implications Humans quickly switched categories via cultural invention, didn’t develop the safeguards Thus an ethological explanation of human behavior!

Human Analogues Spatial behavior: Hall (intimate 0-1.5, personal 1.5-4, social 4-12, public 12+) Invasion of space (library tables) Defensive architecture (Newman) Middlemeist et al. study of spacing Emotions (universality, facial muscles, etc.) --defensive smile

Humanistic Theory: Koestler Focus on War, not bar fights It’s our human qualities and not our animal nature that makes us dangerous Pre-history bonding of hunting groups- (Love of the in-group) Human sacrifice- no inhibition against killing con-specifics Brain hierarchy (McClain’s tripartite brain) (Marcus’ kluge: Evolution doesn’t optimize) Symbols: their unique power to influence humans

Summary Humans oriented toward what others do and can become dangerous as a result Contributing issues: –Conformity –Identification (identity formation) –Obedience –Self Perception –Foot in the door –Dehumanization of “others” or out-group –Elevation (love) of “sames” or in-group

Personality Stability vs. Situation?

Personality Traits vs. States vs. Types 18,000 personality terms to 32 traits to- Big five: –Extraversion (outgoing, sociable, positive) –Neuroticism (prone to negative emotions) –Conscientiousness (organized, efficient, disciplined) –Openness to experience (non-conventional, curious) –Agreeableness (trusting & easygoing with others) 40 to 60% heritable

Situationism Low correlations across situations –Strong vs. weak situations –But-brain differences and heritability Introverts more sensitive to external stimuli More reactive central nervous system Low pain tolerance Underactive Nor-epi system Sensation seeking extraverts

Heritability: Big five correlations Identical twins vs. fraternal twins : Identical Fraternal Reared together Reared apart

Personality Theories Psychoanalytic –Childhood experience, ucs influence, dynamics, conflict, defenses, development and identification Humanistic –Focus on self & self-actualization, existential approach, flow & happiness Social-Cognitive Theory –Beliefs, thoughts & personal constructs shape behavior Behavioral Theory –Learning history, self-perception theory, self-control