Aggression Notes

Frustration and Aggression

• Frustration can lead to aggression if it's intense, unexpected, or arbitrary.
• Humans inhibit aggression towards certain targets, leading to displaced aggression.

Berkowitz's Theory: Negative Affect

• Negative affect is a primary source of anger and aggression.
• Negative feelings activate anger-related ideas, memories, and actions.
• People who differentiate their emotions are less prone to generalized aggression.

Social Learning Theory

• Environment influences aggressive behavior through modeling and imitation.
• Cycle of violence: Aggressive behavior is learned.
• TV violence: Unclear causal link to aggression.

Pornography and Aggression

• Erotic images don't increase male aggression, but violent pornography may increase the tendency to rape.
• Violent images towards women in media is a concern.

Coercive Action Theory

• Coercive action: Intentional harm to force compliance.