12.6 - aggression

1. Aggression

• Definition: Aggression involves behavior aimed at causing harm or pain to another person.

• Types of Aggression:

  • Hostile Aggression: Driven by feelings of anger with the intent to inflict pain (e.g., a fight at a bar).

  • Instrumental Aggression: Goal-oriented aggression where harm is a means to an end, not the primary intent (e.g., a hitman performing a contract killing).

• Theories of Aggression:

  • Evolutionary Perspective:

    • Aggression has been evolutionarily adaptive for survival and reproduction.

    • Males often exhibit more overt aggression to establish dominance and guard mates.

    • Sexual jealousy is a trigger for male aggression to ensure paternity certainty.

    • Females tend to use indirect aggression (relational aggression) to harm social standing or relationships.

  • Frustration-Aggression Theory: Proposes that aggression results when a person is blocked from achieving a goal (frustration), leading to aggressive behavior.

• Gender Differences:

  • Men are more prone to physical aggression.

  • Women exhibit more relational or covert aggression (e.g., spreading rumors, social exclusion).

2. Bullying

• Definition: Repeated negative behavior intended to harm, intimidate, or dominate another, often involving a power imbalance.

• Forms of Bullying:

  • Physical: Hitting, pushing.

  • Verbal: Name-calling, threats.

  • Psychological/Relational: Exclusion, rumor spreading.

• Gender Differences in Bullying:

  • Boys tend to engage in direct, physical bullying.

  • Girls tend to engage in indirect, social bullying.

• Participants:

  • Bully: The aggressor who holds power.

  • Victim: Target of bullying.

  • Bystanders: Witnesses who may intervene or not.

• Consequences for Victims:

  • Increased anxiety and depression.

  • Poor academic performance.

  • Elevated risk of suicide.

  • Negative impacts on bystanders’ psychological wellbeing as well.

• Risk Factors for Victims:

  • High emotional reactivity.

  • Being socially different (e.g., overweight, minority status).

  • LGBTQ+ status.

3. Cyberbullying

• Definition: Repeated aggressive behavior using electronic means intended to harm another person.

• Characteristics:

  • Often anonymous, increasing the bully’s power.

  • Can occur anytime and anywhere, with victim unable to escape harassment.

  • Includes text messages, social media posts, spreading rumors online.

• Prevalence:

  • About 33% of middle and high school students report experiencing cyberbullying.

  • LGBTQ+ youth and minority groups are disproportionately targeted.

• Gender Differences:

  • Girls are more often both perpetrators and victims.

  • Girls’ cyberbullying often involves social exclusion and rumor-spreading.

  • Boys’ cyberbullying more often involves threats or direct attacks.

• Effects on Victims:

  • Psychological distress: frustration, anger, fear, helplessness.

  • Lower self-esteem.

  • Higher risk of suicidal ideation and attempts.

• Challenges in Prevention:

  • Anonymity of bullies.

  • Pervasiveness and constant connectivity via technology.

4. The Bystander Effect

• Definition: The phenomenon whereby individuals are less likely to help a victim when other people are present.

• Background: Inspired by the murder of Kitty Genovese (1964), where many witnesses reportedly did not intervene.

• Key Concept:

  • Diffusion of Responsibility: In groups, each individual feels less personal responsibility to act because others could intervene.

• Consequences:

  • Greater numbers of bystanders lead to lower likelihood that any one person will help.

  • Common examples include passersby ignoring accidents or emergencies believing "someone else has called for help."

• Research Significance:

  • Highlights how social context influences helping behavior.

  • Emphasizes the importance of individual accountability.

Summary Table