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78.1 – Explain how psychology’s definition of aggression differs from everyday usage, and identify the biological factors that make us more prone to hurt one another.
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78.1 – Explain how psychology’s definition of aggression differs from everyday usage, and identify the biological factors that make us more prone to hurt one another. According to psychologists, aggression, any act that is intended to cause harm to another, can be witnesses throughout the world and in all species of animals. Any time a person willingly and purposefully harms another person or animal, they can be said to be acting aggressively. What causes this behavior? Five theories have been formulated to explain aggression: psychodynamic, biological, evolutionary, behavioral-cognitive, and environmental.
78.1 – Explain how psychology’s definition of aggression differs from everyday usage, and identify the biological factors that make us more prone to hurt one another. Innate Aggression • According to the psychodynamic perspective proposed by Sigmund Freud, aggression is instinctive, the result of the unconscious impulses emitted by the id. Freud believed that these impulses must not be allowed to fester and build, because the resulting behavior could be troublesome. Instead, Freud suggested that the impulses should be redirected and channeled through socially acceptable means, which he referred to as catharsis, the release of instinctual aggressive impulses.
78.1 – Explain how psychology’s definition of aggression differs from everyday usage, and identify the biological factors that make us more prone to hurt one another. Innate Aggression • Another theory that suggests that aggression is the result of an innate drive is the biological perspective. According to the biological psychologists, aggression is the result of brain structure, hormones, and genetics. As mentioned in the chapter on biological psychology, our frontal lobes play a significant role in inhibiting our behavior. Damage to the frontal lobes often results in impulsive behavior, as well as bouts of anger or aggression. Research has shown that the limbic system is said to be our emotional center and, if damaged, may lead to aggressive behavior. The hormone testosterone has been implicated in aggression as well. As testosterone levels increase, so, too, does aggression. Research on the role of genetics in aggression shows that twins reared separately display similar aggressive tendencies.
78.1 – Explain how psychology’s definition of aggression differs from everyday usage, and identify the biological factors that make us more prone to hurt one another. Innate Aggression • Evolutionary psychologists believe that aggression is innate, and serves to further the survival of a species. The more aggressive or defensively aggressive a species is, the greater its changes for long-term survival. The desire to survive is one of the strongest desires a species may have.
78.2 – Outline psychological and social-cultural triggers of aggression. Nurtured Aggression • The behavioral-cognitive theory of aggression states that aggressive acts are reinforced thereby increasing the chances of those aggressive acts to continue. Other behaviorists, such as Albert Bandura, believe that aggressive behaviors are learned by observing and imitating others.
78.2 – Outline psychological and social-cultural triggers of aggression. Nurtured Aggression • Environmental psychologists believe that aggression stems from outside factors such as temperature, pollution, and proximity to living arrangements to those of others. As the temperature rises, so does the crime rate. Inhaling pollutants may also lead to more aggressive behavior, possibly because the person is trying to remove himself from a negative situation. Psychologist John Calhoun (1963) investigated the effects of living conditions and levels of aggression in rats. Calhoun found that the more dense the living conditions, the greater the number of aggressive behaviors.
78.2 – Outline psychological and social-cultural triggers of aggression. Frustration-Aggression Principle • a principle in which frustration (caused by the blocking of an attempt to achieve a desired goal) creates anger, which can generate aggression.
78.2 – Outline psychological and social-cultural triggers of aggression. Social Scripts • the media portrays social scripts and generates mental tapes in the minds of viewers. • when confronted with new situations individuals may rely on such social scripts. • if social scrips are violent in nature, people may act them out.
78.2 – Outline psychological and social-cultural triggers of aggression. Video Games and Violence • research shows that playing violent video games increases aggression. • the findings hold true for youth and adults in North American, Japan, and Western Europe.
