Study Guide for Exam on Aggression and Violence

Vocabulary flashcards based on the study guide covering key terms and concepts related to aggression and violence.

Violence

Intentional use of physical force against self, others, or objects, likely to cause harm.

Aggression vs. Violence

Aggression is behavior intended to harm another, while violence is a subset of aggression characterized by extreme physical force.

Reactive Aggression

Impulsive, emotional response to a perceived threat or insult.

Instrumental Aggression

Calculated, goal-driven behavior that uses harm as a means to an end.

Direct Aggression

Face-to-face aggression that can be physical or verbal.

Indirect Aggression

Aggression that occurs behind the scenes, such as gossip or exclusion.

Arousal's Role

Increased arousal (like adrenaline) intensifies aggression; excitation transfer theory suggests arousal from one source can amplify aggression.

Moralizing Pitfalls

Studying violence requires separating personal morality from the analysis; labeling it 'evil' obstructs scientific understanding.

Violence as a Tool

Violence is used as an instrument to gain resources, status, mates, or territory, seen as adaptive under certain pressures.

Local vs. Meta Theories

Local theories explain specific pieces (like biological or social learning) while meta theories integrate perspectives (like General Aggression Model).

General Aggression Model (GAM)

Model that describes the inputs, routes, and outcomes related to aggression.

Inputs in GAM

Personal traits and situational cues that affect aggression.

Ferguson's Critiques of GAM

Criticisms that GAM overstates environmental influence and ignores genetic factors.

Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire

A self-report measure for assessing aggression.

Ultimatum Game

A decision-making game exploring fairness and threat in social interactions.

Infanticide

Occurs when offspring survival is unlikely or resources cannot support them, viewed as an evolutionary 'reset.'

Post-Conflict Attraction

Reconciliation helps restore bonds after aggressive interactions.

Cardi Infant Contentiousness Scale

Scale showing that infants engage in social force behaviors like hitting and grabbing.

Transient vs. Stable Aggression

Transient aggression decreases with self-control development, while stable aggression persists across a lifetime.

Adolescence-limited vs. Life-course Persistent Aggression

AL is short-term antisocial behavior in teens; LCP starts early and continues into adulthood.

ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder)

Characterized by defiant, hostile, and argumentative behavior in children.

Conduct Disorder

More severe rule-breaking behavior, aggression, and delinquency.

Key Factors in Aggression Development

Low self-control, deficits in theory of mind, hostile attribution bias, legitimacy attitudes, and peer influence contribute to aggression.