ch 10

Aggression: the intentional infliction of harm towards another person, it can be indirect or direct, and provoked or unprovoked. 

Freud's instinct theory: suggests that aggression is based on an innate tendency to release aggression and harm others

Frustration-aggression theory: (also known as the drive theory) explains that frustration is most likely due to societal limitations, leading to further aggression

Social learning theory: suggests that we learn to be aggressive by watching others, including role models, and imitating their aggressive behavior, this can be seen through watching parents for example, and then expressing that aggression later in life in the same way. 

The General Aggression Model (GAM): a model that uses a chain of events to explain what leads to aggression 

situational factors: things like frustration, provocation, & includes factors relating to a current and ongoing situations

individual factors: things like attitudes, beliefs and values, understanding others intentions, irritability, & factors that have to do with the people involved in situations

Three basic processes in the GAM: arousal, the affective or emotional states, and the cognitions 

arousal in GAM: increase in excitement or physiological arousal

affective or emotional states in GAM: facial expressions and hostile feelings

cognitions in GAM: hostile thoughts

Frustration: the feeling we may get when not getting what we want or need, it can also include some sort of distress in response to not getting what we want either. 

Provocation: involves a strong cause of aggression, it can be followed by some sort of criticism, sarcastic remarks, or physical assaults.

Bobo Doll Experiments: took place, in the 1960’s, researchers had people display either positive, nurturing behavior to the doll, or violent behaviors towards it, once they left the room, children were observed to see what would happen, and saw that the children mimicked and copied what researchers did to the doll, including violent behavior

Narcissism: a form of self-centeredness, with a lack of empathy, and  results in high grandiosity in relation to feelings of superiority and vulnerability, along with  bitterness and defensiveness.

Temperature and aggression: heat can cause irritability, and then cause aggression, we feel natural discomfort from the heat, and one can feasibly be overstimulated and become aggressive. 

Alcohol and aggression: alcohol intake can increase aggressive behavior, reducing inhibitions and increasing impulsivity. Many are already in a vulnerable state, feeling an all time high or awful depending on how someone can handle alcohol, and those sensations in a vulnerable situation can heighten the chances for aggression

Guns, violence, and aggression: gun availability can lead to an increase in violent intentions along with homicide rates. The more there are in homes, and the more gun owners there are, the more likely aggression emerges

Bullying: involves intentional and repeated aggression towards another person, with bullies targeting victims with characteristics that include being unhappy, unsafe, lonely, and awkward, making those with these characteristics an easy target.

The aspects of bullies: there are bullies of all genders, races, and backgrounds, but some common factors can include having some sort of anxiety, hyper-masculine traits, a callous toward suffering, along high social intelligence

Context of bullying: this can happen due to poor parental supervision, parent conflict, gangs in the community, unsafe communities, and a lack of teacher support.

Punishment: in the context of bullying, its consequences to reduce aggression, and promote better behavior (does not have to be traumatizing or extreme)

Pros and cons to punishment: leads to desirable behavior, but it can be taken to a dangerous extreme depending on the context 

The four basic requirements of punishment:  prompt, certain, strong, and justified 

Self-regulation: the goal is promoting prosocial thoughts, and strengthening internal mechanisms of control. 

Pros and cons of self-regulation: people CAN learn self-control techniques like resisting temptations and receiving rewards for positive behaviors, but a drawback is that not everyone will have the patience to do this and it simply may not work

Catharsis hypothesis: entails venting in nonharmful ways, to help people feel better emotionally, 

Pros and cons of the catharsis hypothesis: people vent healthily, but it may lead to more anger and aggression if venting strengthens it rather than lessens it