Chp 9 GRRRR AGGRESSION

evolutionary reason for aggression

get resources like food or mates. Or prevent opps from hurting us/loved ones

hormones that affect aggression

testosterone (exhibits aggression)

serotonin (inhibits aggression)

alcohol

wrecks executive functioning, lowers prefrontal cortex functioning, increase myopia

alcohol myopia

more self-focused and less aware of the social situation

feelings

negative/pain - increase aggression

positive - decrease aggression

displaced aggression

instead of being mad at whoever mad you mad you’re mad at someone else instead (like Zoe)

how to punish aggression? (most effectively)

intense, right after person did the thing, applied consistently and with certainty, perceived as justified, and replaced by a more desirable alternative behavior

pipeline of violent behavior?

see violence → think violence → act violent

situational aspects of aggression

being primed w presence of a weapon, famous people committing suicide, owning a gun → increases likelihood of aggression

what personality → aggression

been rejected by others, feel a lot of negative emotions & perceive others as threatening

self esteem? and aggression

higher/unstable self esteem more likely to be aggressive

so like friend groups & social context

people in more violent groups think it’s more acceptable so → more aggressive

why gender diffs?

evolution reasons (hunting v family care), hormones, & social learning

culture of honor

social norm that condones and even encourages responding to insults with aggression

how to reduce aggression from a systematic view

• address it early personal & situational reasons

• reduce violence exposure to kids

• destroying catharsis myth

• gun control

• close wealth disparity

• no more domestic child abuse

aggression

behavior that is intended to harm another individual who does not wish to be harmed

violence

aggression that has extreme physical harm, such as injury or death, as its goal

emotional/impulsive aggression

aggression that occurs with only a small amount of forethought or intent and that is determined primarily by impulsive emotions

instrumental/cognitive aggression

aggression that is intentional and planned

relational/social aggression

intentionally harming another person’s social relationships

examples of not physical aggression

• Gossiping

• Spreading rumors

• Criticizing other people behind their backs

• Bullying

• Leaving others out of a group or otherwise ostracizing them

• Turning people against each other

• Dismissing the opinions of others

• “Stealing” a boyfriend or girlfriend

• Threatening to break up with partner if the partner does not comply

• Flirting with another person to make a partner jealous