Social psychological explanations of human aggression, including the frustration-aggression hypothesis, social learning theory as applied to human aggression, and de-individuation.

What does the Social Psychological Explanation of Aggression argue?

• Aggression is not purely biological.
• It is influenced by the environment, learning, thinking, and social situations.
• People become aggressive due to experiences, observation, and group effects.

What are the Three Social Psychological Explanations of Aggression?

• Frustration–Aggression Hypothesis.
• Social Learning Theory.
• De-individuation.

How Do These Three Explanations Differ From Biological Ones?

• They focus on environment and learning rather than genes or evolution.
• They explain aggression as something that is acquired, not innate.

What is the Frustration–Aggression Hypothesis?

• Aggression is caused when a goal is blocked.
• Frustration creates an aggressive drive.

Who Proposed the Frustration–Aggression Hypothesis?

• Dollard et al. (1939).

What is Frustration?

• A feeling that occurs when you are prevented from achieving a goal.
• It creates anger and tension.

What Was the Original Idea of the Theory?

• Frustration always leads to aggression.

Why Was the Original Theory Rejected?

• Not all frustrated people become aggressive.
• Some people respond with withdrawal or problem-solving instead.

What is the Revised Frustration–Aggression Hypothesis?

• Frustration increases aggression but does not guarantee it.
• Aggression depends on situation and individual differences.

What Did Berkowitz Add to the Theory?

• Frustration creates negative emotions (especially anger).
• Aggression is more likely when aggressive cues are present.

What are Aggressive Cues?

• Environmental triggers (e.g. weapons).
• They increase aggression when a person is already angry.

Frustration–Aggression Strength: Research Support

• Berkowitz found frustration increases aggression, especially when aggressive cues are present.
• Supports the link between anger and aggression.

Frustration–Aggression Strength: Real-world Application

• Explains aggression in everyday situations like queues, sports, and workplace conflict.
• Shows frustration can trigger aggression in realistic settings.

Frustration–Aggression Weakness: Not Deterministic

• Not all frustrated people become aggressive.
• Some show coping or problem-solving instead.

Frustration–Aggression Weakness: Oversimplified

• Ignores cognitive and social factors like personality and self-control.
• Reduces aggression to frustration alone.

What is Social Learning Theory (SLT) of Aggression?

• Aggression is learned through observing and copying others.
• It is not innate but socially acquired.

Who Developed Social Learning Theory?

• Albert Bandura.

What are the Key Processes of SLT?

• Observation.
• Imitation.
• Reinforcement.

What is Vicarious Reinforcement?

• Learning by seeing someone else being rewarded for aggression.
• Increases likelihood of imitation.

What is Modelling?

• Learning behaviour by observing role models.
• Role models include parents, peers, and media figures.

Bandura (Bobo Doll Study) — Procedure

• Children observed an adult behaving aggressively toward a Bobo doll.
• The adult hit, kicked, and shouted at the doll.

Bandura (Bobo Doll Study) — Findings

• Children exposed to aggression were more likely to act aggressively.

Bandura (Bobo Doll Study) — Conclusion

• Aggression is learned through observation and imitation.

SLT Strength: Research Support

• Bandura’s Bobo doll study shows children imitate aggressive models.
• Strong evidence for observational learning.

SLT Strength: Real-world Application

• Explains media influence on aggression (TV, video games, social media).
• Useful for understanding childhood behaviour.

SLT Weakness: Doesn’t Explain Individual Differences

• Not everyone exposed to aggression becomes aggressive.
• Ignores personality and biological factors.

SLT Weakness: Oversimplified

• Reduces aggression to learning alone.
• Ignores innate or emotional influences.

What is De-individuation?

• Loss of personal identity and self-awareness in a group.
• Leads to reduced responsibility and control.

What Causes De-individuation?

• Anonymity.
• Large group size.
• High arousal.

How Does Anonymity Increase Aggression?

• People feel unidentifiable.
• Reduces accountability and guilt.

Why Does Group Size Increase Aggression?

• Larger groups increase anonymity.
• Individuals feel less personally responsible.

How Does Arousal Increase Aggression?

• High emotion reduces rational thinking.
• Leads to impulsive behaviour.

Zimbardo (Study) — Procedure

• Participants delivered electric shocks.
• Some were anonymous (hoods/coats), others identifiable.

Zimbardo (Study) — Findings

• Anonymous participants showed more aggression.

Zimbardo (Study) — Conclusion

• De-individuation increases aggression due to reduced responsibility.

De-individuation Strength: Research Support

• Zimbardo found anonymity increased aggression.
• Supports the idea of reduced self-awareness.

De-individuation Strength: Explains Crowd Behaviour

• Explains riots, mobs, and group violence.
• Shows how anonymity affects behaviour in real life.

De-individuation Weakness: Not Always Aggression

• Crowds are not always violent.
• Some groups behave prosocially instead.

De-individuation Weakness: Ignores Social Norms

• People may still follow group norms, not just lose identity.
• Behaviour depends on group values.

What is the Overall Social Psychological Explanation of Aggression?

• Aggression is caused by frustration, learned through observation, and increased in group situations.
• It is shaped by environment and social context rather than biology alone.