Lecture 1 Aggression

Lecture 1 Aggression

1. Defining Aggression

   • difficult to define
   • behaviours that result in injury or destruction of property (Bandura)
   • Intentional infliction of harm on others (Baron and Bryne 2000)

2. Biological Basis

   • Limitations: Limited/biased empirical observations/ little control or prevention/ circular logic/ immeasurable
   • Psychodynamic (Freud)= death instinct Thanatos v Eros (life). Drive to risky behaviour built through bodily tensions which need to be expressed.
   • Ethology (animal behaviour)= Releasers (stimuli trigger aggressive responses. Instinct/ fighting behaviour e.g pecking order
   • Evolutionary social psychology= proactive, promotes survival of genes. Increases resources
   • Type A personality (competitive, hostile, workaholic) linked to coronary heart disease and aggression at work

3. Influence of context

   • Temperature- high linked with violent suicide (Maes 1994) but extreme saps energy. Study = Kenrick& MacFarlane beeping cars
   • Crowding (subjective state) personal space is enroached. Study= Lawrence+Andrew prison UK 2004
   • Frustration-Aggression Theory. Frustration relieved by goal completion or aggression. Dollard et al 1939 lynching
   • Cultures of honour- different norms/values e.g female infidelity
   • Subcultures (gangs)- legitamised as lifestyle, 'machissimo'

4. Mass Media

   • Stimulus>Nature>Networks activated>probability increases
   • Desensitisation= reduction in responsiveness to material that usually evokes emotion
   • Neo-assocationist analysis= media transfers to anti social acts
   • Erotica and aggression
     • Exposure increases men-densitisation
     • Development of negative attitudes towards women

5. Domestic Violence

   • American Survey of 2000 families (Dekeseredy+Renzetti)
     • most sexual assults= heterosexual men. Women=self defense
   • Learned (abuse syndrome)
   • Stress e.g finances
   • Division of power

6. Institutionalised aggression- WAR

   • Given recognition and social legitimacy- rules and norms
     • Ember+Ember 1994 war societies
   • Archive research- letters
   • Thanatos?

7. Reducing aggression

   • School agencies
   • Training
   • Societal levels- law
   • Peace Studies