frustration aggression

frustration aggression

feeling you experience when trying to achieve something and there are barriers preventing you

how do we relieve frustration aggression?

violent fantasy, verbal outburst, physical violence

Dollard et al (1939)

fustration aggression hypothesis is based on the psychodynamic explanation of catharsis

Freuds psychodynamic explanation of catharsis

aggression = a drive, the only way to reduce frustration is to engage in an activity that releases it

displacement

directing our aggression outwards onto something or someone else

factors affecting the likelihood of aggression occurring

1\. proximity to goal 2. whether aggression will remove the barrier causing fustration

Harris (1974) study

confederates pushed in front of pps at the front and the back of a queue

Harris (1974) results

at the front of the queue pps were more likely to react aggressively

Harris (1974) conclusion

supports proximity to goal being an important factor of aggression

Buss (1963)

failing to win money, failing a task and failing to get a desired grade prompted higher levels of aggression than a control

Buss (1963) conclusion

supports FAH

EVALUATION POINT ONE: aggression is not always prompted by frustration

fight or flight, pyschopaths and premeditated aggression, aggression in sport

EVALUATION POINT TWO: frustration doesn’t always lead to aggression

e.g crying

Berkowitz - negative feelings

aggression is caused by negative feelings generally (jealousy and pain etc) not just frustration

Berkowitz - real life application

“the trigger can pull the finger” - presence of a gun can be a cue for aggression making its use more likely