Chapter 12: Aggression

Why do we hurt other people? can we prevent it?

Aggression

Intentional behavior aimed at causing physical harm or psychological pain to another person

Hostile Agression

Aggression stemming from feelings of anger, with the goal of inflicting pain or injury

Instrumental Agression

Aggression that is done as a means to achieve some goal other than causing pain

Challenge Hypothesis

Hypothesis that testosterone relates to aggression only when there are opportunities for reproduction

Who are most likely to commit relational agression

Women and girls.

Dual-Hormone Hypothesis

Testosterone relates to dominance-seeking behavior only when the stress hormone, cortisol, is not elevated

Social-Cognitive Learning Theory

The theory that people learn social behavior (e.g., aggression or altruism) in large part through observation and imitation of others and by cognitive processes such as plans, expectations, and beliefs

Frustation-Aggression Theory

The theory that frustration, the perception that you are being prevented from attaining a goal, increases the probability of an aggressive response.

Weapons Effect

The increase in aggression that can occur because of the mere presence of a gun or other weapon

Deontological Thinkers

People who believe in absolute moral truth

Utilitarian Thinkers

People who believe that the most moral decision is the one that does the greatest good for the greatest number of people

Dehumanization

The process whereby we deny another human being their full humanity

Compassion Collapse

The decreasing amount of compassion felt for victims of mass casualties versus the amount they feel for a single victim

Five Distinct Reactions that explain violence

Norms, Observational learning, Misattribution, Habituation, Self-fulflling Prophecy

Does harsh punishment reduce aggression?

No, it actually backfires and is only shortterm.

Catharsis

The notion that “blowing off steam”,by behaving aggressively or watching others do so,relieves built-up anger and aggressive energy and hence reduces the likelihood of further aggressive behavior.

How to control aggression?

Actively enabling, using simple devices as counting to ten.

Relational Agression

acts that harm another person through manipulation of the relationship (ex. spreading rumors, shunning

“Think-Drink” effect

people expect alcohol to have certain effects, it often does.

Relative deprivation (def.)

The feeling that you have less than what you deserve or less than people similar to you have.

What is more likely to cause frustration, illustrated by the civil right movement to eastern europe to middle east.

Relative deprivation

en masse

features that limit empathy.

what moral reasoning allow for gravely inhuman acts to be considered in the first place?

Utilitarian moral reasoning

Violence and aggressive video games/television

Two way street, not fully sported.

What two things must be certain to reduce aggression in child?

Knowledge on what NOT to do and what TO do instead.

Catharsis because of self-justification to reduce dissonance increases likelihood that it will be repeated? true or false?

True

What is the most significant risk factor for teenage suicide, despair, and violence

Social Rejection