Discuss the frustration-aggression hypothesis as an explanation for aggression. [16 marks]

AO1

• Dollard suggests

  • frustration always results in aggression

  • aggression is only caused by frustration

• we become frustrated when we are prevented from reaching a goal, physiological arousal builds as an aggressive drive, eventually released in the form of aggression, this is a cathartic process (restores calm)

• we may not aggress directly (displace) if the source is

  • unavailable

  • too powerful

  • abstract

• Berkowitz adds that though frustration creates a readiness for aggression, environmental cues male acting on it more or less likely, termed weapon effect - presence of a violent object increases aggression, found during a 1967 study measuring electric shocks delivered by participants, more delivered when two guns were on a nearby table

AO3

• Bushman (2002) aggression not always cathartic, ppts other hit a punchbag or did nothing, those who were in the aggressive condition experienced an increase not the decrease as predicted

• Newhall (2000) deliberately provoked participants, removed the source, found they instead acted aggressively towards an innocent bystander, supporting the idea of displacement

• Berkowitz reformulated the hypothesis, created the negative affect theory, that a negative emotion will lead to a negative behaviour, more comprehensive than just frustration and just aggression, accounts for a greater range of aggressive situations

• there are different kinds of frustration, Anderson (1995) - origami instructions rushed for two different reasons, lowered aggression towards rusher when his reason was justified, frustration can be varied with varied effects on aggression, distinction not made by hypothesis

• real-life value, Berkowitz’ research adds to gun control debate in America