Ind - aggression and antisocial behaviour part one

Ind - aggression and antisocial behaviour part one

1. INTRO FROM SLIDES

   • many countries resort to military action to fight terrorism, effective short-term but not long
   • AGGRESSION - is a behaviour. is an intentional behaviour, the intent is to harm, the victim wants to avoid harm
     • aggression is universal, it is cultural rules that restrain aggression. NATURE SAYS GO, CULTURE SAYS NO. culture offers nonviolent ways of solving conflicts.
       • aggression rules - rules of conduct for way, reciprocity. there are also rules governing self-defense, acceptable only if defender uses comparable force.
   • TYPES OF AGGRESSION
     • INSTRUMENTAL AGGRESSION - cold, premeditated.
     • HOSTILE AGGRESSION - hot, impulsive,
     • PASSIVE AGGRESION - witholding sex / messages etc.
     • ACTIVE AGGRESSION - performing a behaviour / rumours.
   • ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOUR - damages relationships or is culturally undesirable. antisocial behaviour is not always aggressive, such as littering

2. IS AGGRESSION INNATE OR LEARNED?

   • INNATE - INSTINCT
     • FREUD proposed human motivational forces are based on instinct. 1. SEX - life giving - Eros. 2.. AGGRESSION - death instinct - Thanatos
     • LORENZ - 1963 - aggression is an instinct, only the most aggressive genes procreate.
     • FRUSTRATION-AGGRESSION HYPOTHESIS - 1939 - the occurrence of aggressive behaviour always presupposes the existence of frustration. FRUSTRATION ALWAYS LEADS TO SOME FORM OF AGGRESSION.
       • nowadays researchers agree that one can occur without the other
       • influence on the degree of frustration, more frustrated when closer to the goal. you can have aggression without frustration, but aggression IS INCREASED BY FRUSTRATION
     • bad moods increase aggression but a bad mood is not necessary for aggression.
       • ZILLMANN, ET AL - 1972 - EXCITATION TRANSFER can increase aggression. (something else can transfer to aggression) Arousal from physical exercise can transfer to a provocation and increase aggression
   • LEARNED
     • BANDURA ET AL - 1961 - BOBO DOLL STUDY - aggression is a learned behaviour, modelling. children who watched the aggressive model had the highest aggression.
     • study of rats and cats. when two raised together no cats killed the rats. when raised with the mother killing rats, 85% of the kittens killed rats too.
   • NATURE AND NURTURE - cultural socialisation and learning can increase or decrease innate aggressive impulses, both are relevant

3. HOSTILE COGNITIVE BIASES

   • HOSTILE ATTRIBUTION BIAS - perceive ambiguous actions by others as aggressive
   • HOSTILE PERCEPTION BIAS - perceive social interactions as being aggressive
   • HOSTILE EXPECTATION BIAS - assume people will react to potential conflicts with aggression
   • Aggressive people have inner biases that make them assume others act purposefully when they hurt them

4. aggression is not a mutual exchange, the victim loses more than the perpetrator gains

   • SELF, AGGRESSION AND CULTURE
     • aggression influenced by culture, some cultures can promote violence, people may believe that aggression is uncontrollable, so it is tolerated.
     • POOR SELF-CONTROL causes crimes and predicts violent crimes.
     • VIOLENT INDIVIDUALS - think they are better than others and have inflated opinions of their worth. violent people are typically narcissistic, exploit others, low empathy,
       • NARCISSISTIC PERSONALITY INVENTORY - high scores and blow to ego = aggression. most aggression is the result of provocation
     • CULTURE OF HONOUR - SOUTHERN USA has this. where there is a violent response to threats to one's honour, higher violence. HUMILIATION - primary causes of violence in cultures of honour. cause of terrorism.

5. INTERPERSONAL CAUSES OF AGGRESSION

   • aggression can be a means to solve social disputes. factors that ENCOURAGE AGGRESSION - the more you want a reward, belief in being successful, unconcerned with risk

6. CHARACTERISTICS OF AGGRESSION

   • AGE AND AGGRESSION - 25% of toddler interactions involve physical aggression, higher percentage than any adult sample.
   • GENDER AND AGGRESSION - when under stress MALES = flight or fight, whereas FEMALES = tend and befriend syndrome. all known communities, young males are the most violent.
   • SEX AND AGGRESSION - people use force to get sex from others, sexual coercion. profile of sexually coercive men differs from traditional stereotypes.
     • DOMESTIC VIOLENCE - in the home between people with a close relationship, aggression highest between siblings. domestic violence number one health risk in the US
       • domestic violence occurs all over the world, leading cause of injuries to women aged 15-44. women attack men more but do less harm. children and elderly the most at risk (weakest family members)
   • DISPLACED AGGRESSION - e.g. kicking the dog.

7. EXTERNAL CAUSES OF AGGRESSION

   • WEAPONS EFFECT - presence of weapon increases aggressive behaviour.
   • HUESMANN ET AL - 2003 - MASS MEDIA - violent media exposure increases aggression.
   • UNPLEASANT ENVIRONMENTS - hot temperatures are associated with aggression and violence.
   • EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING - loud noises, foul smells, air pollution and crowding increase aggression
   • CHEMICAL INFLUENCES - testosterone increases, aggression higher
   • SEROTONIN - low levels linked to aggression.
   • ALCOHOL linked to aggression, as reduces inhibitions, narrows attention, decreases self-awareness, and disrupts executive functioning.
   • NUTRITION - junk food increases violence, vitamin supplements reduces antisocial behaviour