Psychodynamic explanation of aggression

Who suggested this theory?

Sigmund Freud

What 2 drives did Freud believe were the motivation for all human behaviour?

Eros and thanatos

What is eros?

The life instinct. An existing desire to preserve life and enjoy it.

What is thanatos?

The death instinct. A drive towards death and destruction.

How to eros and thanatos link to aggression?

Eros directs the destructive nature of thanatos away from the self and onto others, causing aggressive behaviours.

What are the 3 concepts involved in Frued’s personality theory?

ID, ego, superego

What age does ID occur?

0-2

What principle does the ID relate to?

The pleasure principle

What is the role of the ID?

It is entirely unconscious, and it drives our most important motivations, including the sexual drive (eros) and the aggressive or destructive drive (thanatos). The ID wants immediate gratification of our urges.

How does the ID link to aggression?

If the ID is denied its pleasure (it’s immediate gratification), it becomes frustrated. This can lead to aggressive urges.

What age does the ego develop?

3-5

What principle does the ego relate to?

The reality principle

What is the role of the ego?

It is logical, rational and mostly conscious. It balances the unrealistic demands of the ID with reality (eg- what is expected of us, what is realistic to achieve)

How does the ego link to aggression?

It does not fulfill aggressive urges directly, but channels them into appropriate activities (eg- sport)

What age does the superego develop?

5/6

What principle does the superego relate to?

The morality principle

What is the role of the superego?

It represents moral conscious sense of right and wrong and our ideal image id ourselves. It is irrational and punishing through morality. The ego develops based on a social understanding.

How does the superego relate to aggression?

Suppresses forms of aggression, leading to masking a duel identity. It gives guilt and shame to oppose the aggressive drive and pride when one is able to control themselves.

What does a well adjusted person develop?

A strong ego that is able to cope with the demands of both the ID and the superego by allowing each expression at appropriate times. They are able to manage frustration and release negative energy in a safe, non-aggressive way.

How did Freud believe we could satisfy the instructive drive of aggression?

Through catharsis

What is catharsis?

The process id releasing lent up anger to reduce the drive for further anger.

What happens if catharsis doesn’t happen?

Destructive aggression can take place, this can be inwards (self-harm) or outwards (violence)

What two ways can catharsis be achieved?

Displacement and sublimation

What is displacement?

Redirecting your anger and frustration onto a person or object (an available substitute) which is not the actual target of your anger. (eg- after being told off by a teacher, you go home and yell at your mum)

What is sublimation?

Channelling aggression into socially acceptable behaviours rather than destructive activities (eg- taking up boxing classes)

Strength of the theory?

Graham et al (2008) found that expressing anger can be cathartic. Ranting (especially in writing) allows a person to profess their anger and control their feelings. It seems to be a better way of emotional control than venting (which is an uncontrolled expression of anger). This increases the credibility of Freud’s theory.

Weakness of the theory?

Bushman (2002) found catharsis actually led to more aggression. Students who received a criticism for an essay were allowed to hit a punching bag or do nothing before a second task. Those allowed to hit the punching bag vented more anger in the second task compared to those not allowed to hit the punching bag beforehand. This demonstrates that catharsis does not always reduce aggression as Freud stated, so this theory cannot necessarily be trusted.