AGGRESSION

• Definition:
• History:
• Examples:

Goals and Objectives

• Compare and contrast situational/dispositional bases of aggression.
• Explain and and weight the evidence for theories which explain the origin of aggression.
• Recognize and apply solutions to reduce aggression.
• Recognize and know contributions of aggression researchers: Freud, Lorenz, Bandura, Berkowitz.
• Be able to know limitation's to a variables involved in aggression: Weapons' Effect, Mood, Modeling, etc.

 

A.  DEFINITIONS:

•  AGGRESSION - A behavior aimed at causing either physical or psychological harm.
•  HOSTILE AGGRESSION-- end in itself
•  INSTRUMENTAL AGGRESSION--a means to a goal

B.   ORIGINS OF AGGRESSION:

1.  Is Aggression Innate?
• a. Instinct Theories-- Freud/Lorenz
• b. Sociobiology--
• c. Behavioral genetics-
• d. Gender differences --genetic link.
• e.  Biological roots: Brain Tumors, chemicals
2.    Is Aggression Learned?
• a. Social Learning--Bandura (1960)
• b. Classical/Operant Conditioning:  Archer & Gartner (1984)

C.  SOCIAL AND SITUATIONAL INFLUENCES OF AGGRESSION

1.  Frustration=Aggression     (a drive)
• a. Displacement
• b. Catharsis =
2.  Frustration-> aggression. Revisited (Berkowitz, 1989)
• a. Internal versus External Control
• b. If our goals are blocked
• c.  Find experience aversive
3. Negative affect: The temperature rising.
4. Positive Affect-- reduces retaliation.   Why?
5. Weapons Effect
6. Deindividuation -- loss of self-awareness

D.  MULTIPLE CAUSES, MULTIPLE CURES:

• 1. Biological Intervention
• 2. Frustration--Aggression
• 3. Social Learning Approach--
• 4. Situational

E.  VIOLENCE IN TV -- IT LEADS TO AGGRESSION!

1.  Pornography --
2. Evidence:  Study: Donnerstein (1980).

F.  OTHER TOPICS

 1. Intimate violence
 2. Child abuse
 3. Rape