aggression chapter 13 (PSYC 351)

hostile aggression

behavior intended to harm another, either physically or psychologically and motivated by feelings of anger and hostility

instrumental aggression

Behavior intended to harm another in the service of motives other than pure hostility, such as attracting attention, acquiring wealth, or advancing political or ideological causes.

• when someone hurts another person not out of pure anger, but to achieve a goal, like getting attention, gaining money, or pushing a political idea. It’s more about using harm as a tool to get something they want.

dehumanization

the attribution of nonhuman characteristics and denial of human qualities to groups other than one’s own

• when people see others as less than human—like thinking of them as animals or objects—so it's easier to treat them badly or unfairly.

culture of honor

A culture defined by its members' strong concerns about their own and others' reputations, leading to sensitivity to insults and a willingness to use violence to avenge any perceived wrong.

• a culture where people care a lot about their reputation and how others see them. In these cultures, if someone feels insulted or disrespected, they may feel the need to defend their honor—even with violence.

inclusive fitness

According to evolutionary theory, the fitness of an individual is based on reproductive success and the passing of one’s own genes and those of relatives to future generations

• helping your family survive and reproduce also helps pass on your genes, since relatives share some of your DNA. So, your "success" isn’t just about your own kids, but also about helping close relatives pass on their genes too.

rape-prone culture

A culture in which rape tends to be used as the act of war against enemy women, as a ritual act, or as a threat against women to keep them subservient to men.

• one where rape happens often and is sometimes used as a weapon—like during war, in rituals, or to control women and keep them in lower positions than men

precarious manhood hypothesis

The idea that a man’s gender identity of strength and toughness may be lost under various conditions and that such a loss can trigger aggressive behavior

• says that being seen as a "real man" is something that can easily be lost. When a man feels like his masculinity is being challenged, he might respond with aggression to prove he's still tough or strong.

reactive devaluation

attaching less value to an offer in a negotiation once the opposing group makes it

• when you automatically see an offer as less good just because it came from the other side in a disagreement or negotiation—even if it’s a fair offer