4.2- aggression, violence, and threat

aggression

any action involving physical or psychological harm to another person

hostile aggression

intent is to cause harm or pain

instrumental aggression

intent is to cause harm or pain as a means to another end

defensive aggression

intent is to cause harm or pain as means to psychological or bodily defense

parental investment theory

since women are more selective, men behave aggresively to establish dominance over other males and have more status among mates

challenge hypothesis

testosterone only relates to aggression when there are opportunities for reproduction

dual-hormone hypothesis

testosterone only positively relates to aggression when cortisol levels are low

bandura, 1961: the bobo doll

concluded that children imitate the behaviors they observe in adults, even aggressive ones

culture of honor

social norm of defending one’s reputation in the face of perceived threats

nisbett et al, 1996: culture of honor study

concluded that participants from the southern U.S., where honor is more valued, were more likely to get aggressive when insulted

frustration-aggression hypothesis

perception that you are being prevented from attaining a goal produces anger, which increases aggression

frustration-aggression link depends on

1. size/strength of the person responsible for frustration

2. person’s ability to retaliate

3. proximity of the person

frustration boundary conditions

1. goal proximity

2. unexpectedness

3. unintentional

relative deprivation

perceived discrepancy between what you have and what you think you should have

negative affect

suggests that any negative affect can cause aggression, like pain or discomfort

priming with aggressive stimulus

the presence of objects associated with aggressive responses can increase the probability of aggression

berkowitz & lepage, 1967: the weapons effect

participants who were in a room with a weapon acted more aggressively after being provoked

media violence mechanisms

1. increases physiological arousal

2. triggers imitation of violent characters

3. primes aggressive ideas and expectations

desensitizing effects

repeated exposure to media violence associated with less sensitivity to violence, real-life aggression, and the needs of others

punishment

punishers that model aggressive behavior might lead person to imitate their action

catharsis

releasing strong or supressed emotions for emotional relief

patterson, 1974:catharsis & aggression in children

concluded that catharsis does not reduce aggression, and acting on it only reinforces it