Aggression - Ch 12

assertive vs aggressive

assertive = no intention of harm

aggressive = intention of harm

hostile aggression

HOT

• driven by anger

• only trying to harm other person

instrumental aggression

intent to cause harm BUT as a means to another goal

direct/overt aggression

sily observable, obvious

indirect/covert

no face to face interaction

relational aggression

intent to damage social relationships

ex:

• rumours to damage character

• exclusion

impacts of alcohol (even the idea you’ve consumed alcohol)

disinhibits and deindividuates

lowered self awareness and self control, more likely to be aggressive

testosterone vs serotonin

spikes w/ aggressive behavior vs shown to lower aggressive behavior

brain regions: amygdala vs prefrontal cortex

promotes aggression(fight or flight) vs inhibits aggression

effects of gene that lowers MAOA levels

MAOA metabolizes serotonin and dopamine, which is linked to more aggressive behavior

When above is combined with childhood maltreatment and direct provoction, aggression is extremely likely

free will study (2009)

showed that consideration of our free will lowers aggressive behavior

‘culture of honor’ in the Southern US

the cultural expectation to be tough and intimidating leads to being easily provoked by insults and personal attacks

also tend be more polite to the extreme

frustration-aggression theory

Frustration leads to anger, and makes one more likely to be aggressive

especially when aggression cues are present (ex; weapons)

aggression from frustration increases when…

you are closer to a goal

the size and strength of the frustrater is not intimidating to you

the intention and the amount of control the frustrater has over the situation

social cognitive learning theory

aggression is learned through observation and imitation

vicarious punishment/reinforcement

seeing a behavior being reinforced/punished makes you more/less likely to do it

hydraulic theory of aggression

aggressive energy will build up ‘pressure’ until released - either through an aggressive act or catharsis

catharsis

venting or performing some other behavior to ‘let off steam’