3.4- Theories of aggression- Student produced

1. 3.4- Theories of aggression-Student produced Instinct Frustration-aggression Aggressive-Cue Social Learning De-Individualisation

2. Instinct Theory By Rory, Max and Ross

3. Sigmund Freud • He believed: • We all have the potential for aggressive behaviour. • If the aggressive impulses weren’t released, they could be directed inwards and cause psychological damage. • Therefore need to release energy through aggressive acts, (legal or illegal) • Legal acceptable ways- sport, adventure • Illegal ways- criminal activity, violence

4. Individuals displace their aggression from ‘non-acceptable’ to ‘more acceptable’ situations: • E.g. On the sports pitch as opposed to in the home. • This displacement and driving force is known as ‘CATHARSIS’. • It is “The release of pent-up emotions or feelings of aggression through harmless channels, such as the physical and emotional activity of sport”. • A cathartic experience is supposed to allow a release of tension and emotions, resulting in the individual feeling less aggressive.

5. Criticisms of Instinct Theory • No biological basis for behaviour found. • Societies don’t show similar levels of aggression. • Social learning has controlling effect on people. • Studies show that aggression can be learnt. • Instinct theory states behaviour is emotional or spontaneous ( hostile/reactive). However, times when is clearly pre-planned (instrumental). • Examples of spontaneous and pre-planned aggression?

6. Recent Research • Increased interest in Instinct Theory. • Geneticists have isolated a gene that has a controlling effect on levels of neurotransmitters. • When the gene is absent or doesn’t work efficiently, individuals more prone to aggression. • Most recent debate focuses on genetic inheritance and environmental factors…

7. FRUSTRATION AGGRESSION HYPOTHESIS By Charlotte, Sophie and Becki

8. THE THEORY • This theory is based on the work of Dollard who stated that : ‘Aggressive behaviour always presupposes the existence of frustration and that the existence of frustration always leads to some form of aggression.’

9. HOW IT HAPPENS • Frustration develops when goal directed behaviour or a need to achieve is blocked. • Frustration then leads to aggression.( Levels of frustration are higher if we are nearer to our goal , and the block is unexpected) • If the aggressive act is successful, frustration is released and the aggressor feels good – THIS IS KNOW AS A CATHARTIC RELEASE. • Should aggression fail and result in punishment , further frustration is generated.

10. CATHARSIS: THE RELEASE OF PENT UP EMOTIONS OR FEELINGS OF AGGRESSION THROUGH HARMLESS CHANNELS SUCH AS PHYSICAL ACTIVITY CATHARSIS SUCCESS Causing the other team to make a mistake leads to own team scoring DRIVE TO GOAL OBSTACLE TO GOAL FRUSTRATION AGGRESSION Chanting abuse at the other team – pitch invasion Winning – sense of pride The other team leading PUNISHMENT The other team continue to win EXAMPLE:Football crowds can become aggressive when their team starts to lose.

11. HOWEVER • Not all examples of aggressive behaviour can be explained by this hypothesis. • For example:-Not all individuals who experience frustration or blockage exhibit aggressive responses or behaviour.-Individuals who become aggressive when frustrated do not do so on every occasion; they can find alternative ways to deal with their frustration.-Individuals display aggression even when there is no obvious obstacle to cause frustration. • However, it is not thought that all aggressive acts are cathartic , and in some cases lead to an increase in levels of aggression in those who commit them.

12. FURTHERMORE > More criticisms of the frustration aggression hypothesis: 1. Premeditated aggression 2. Not all frustration leads to aggression 3. Doesn’t allow instinctive reactions 4. Aggression can be learnt

13. Aggressive Cue Theory

14. Theory proposed by Leonard Berkowitz that acts of aggression are influenced by the presence of socially learnt cues or environmental situations, which make committing aggression acceptable. • E.g. football hooligan swearing while watching a match • Much of the personal aggression people feel is absorbed through social events, films, news and newspapers. • The theory was developed as a result of criticisms of the frustration-aggression theory. Berkowitz stated that although obstacles can lead to frustration, arousal and anger, this does not always lead to aggression. Acts of aggressive behaviour are learned cues from certain stimuli. Less likelihood of aggression

15. In sporting context, these social cues of aggression may be given from a coach and the crowd to act aggressively. • Another stimuli might be a positive response from teammates to an act of aggression that resulted in a beneficial movement/action. • Seeing role models act aggressively in a similar situation to you can alter your aggressive tendencies. • Other Stimuli include: • Aggression-related objects e.g. guns, boxing gloves and bats • Aggression-related sports e.g. rugby or boxing • Aggression-related people e.g. specific player, coach or fan • Aggression-related place e.g. a pitch where an incident had previously occurred It is known that environmental conditions can trigger aggression. For example; high temperatures and humidity can act as a cue for aggression. It is clear that Berkowitz’s research has shown players can learn to be aggressive, or learn to be aggressive in certain (expectable situations) This leads on to SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY OF AGGRESSION…

16. Link to follow… Social Learning Theory Jamie and Ben

17. De-individualisation By Matt and Archie

18. Basics • According to this theory, in certain social situations, individuals will act differently when in a crowd than they would as an individual. • For example, watching a football match, an individual might chant, or swear within a crowd, but not when alone.

19. Factors that influence • Size of crowd • Group influence, people you’re with or place in stand. • Loudness • Perception • Locus of control

20. Causes • De-individualisation will cause the individual to not take responsibility for their actions. • They become desensitised. • The use of masks causes an individual to become de-individuated. • Players might act differently on the pitch, than off the pitch.

21. Links to hooliganism • This theory links to de-individuation, in the sense that individuals within a crowd may conform to hooliganism, even if they’re not hooligans themselves. • The main character from Green Street is a student of Harvard college in America studying journalism. In his world, on his own, he’d never attempt a whirlwind punch. • GreenStreet • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_tqt4GCqCk