1. Aggression Words or actions meant to hurt people

2. Why are people aggressive? Biological View Sociobiology – Social behavior is controlled by genes Aggression seems to help animals survive and reproduce thus passing the aggressive genes on to the next generation.

3. Criticism of Sociobiological View It does not take into account the cooperation that takes place in humans for survival No “aggressive” gene has been found Aggression varies widely from culture to culture which shows more than just genetics. Do agree that the brain (amygdala) is involved in aggression.

4. Psychoanalytic View Freud said aggression is due to frustration. We do want to harm those who don’t meet our wishes or demands but this aggression is mostly repressed. Aggression finds outlets in disobeying orders or destroying other people’s things. Freud felt it was important to vent this aggression (Sarcasm, cheering on your sports team or watching aggressive sports). Venting aggressive impulses called Catharsis Unclear if venting works as sometimes people get more aggressive while doing it.

5. Cognitive View Aggressive behavior reflects a person’s values and the choices they make. Aggression is justified by a person as necessary for the given situation. People decide to act aggressively based on previous experiences with aggressive behavior and their interpretation of other people’s behavior.

6. Learning View Aggressive behavior is reinforced (rewarded) so people learn to behave aggressively. This is especially true in sports. Can learn aggression through observation By middle school the average child has seen more than 8,000 murders and 100,000 other violent acts on television TV may reinforce people’s ideas about violence and lessen their inhibitions against it. Children will also imitate what they see.

7. Sociocultural View Some cultures encourage independence and competitiveness which promotes aggression. When one person is encouraged to win over others aggression can often result. Cultures where cooperation and the welfare of the group are valued see lower levels of violence.

8. Role Playing Playing a role can influence or change one’s attitude Zimbardo’s Prison Study –College students played the role of guard or prisoner in a simulated prison. –The study was ended after just 6 days when the guards became too aggressive and cruel. –Want to learn more about this famous study? See the Stanford Prison Experiment Online Slide Show or watch Stanford Prison Experiment video (8 minutes)Stanford Prison Experiment Online Slide ShowStanford Prison Experiment video (8 minutes) –Modern issues of Prison Abuse – see CNN Report on Juvenile Jails and Abuse – 3 min.CNN Report on Juvenile Jails and Abuse – 3 min. Dr. Phillip Zimbardo

9. How would these different perspectives explain the aggressive behaviors demonstrated in the Zimbardo Prison Experiment? Sociobiological Psychoanalytic Cognitive Learning Sociocultural