Aggression

Aggression

1. Evolutionary

   • Individual
     • Prevention of cockoldry
       • Direct guarding: Deter other males from gain access to their mates
       • Negative inducements: Offering threats for any infidelity
       • Debasement: Giving in to her every wish
       • Inter-sexual threats: Threatening to beat up other men
       • Verbal possession signals: Indicating to other women that he is taken
       • Commitment manipulation: Professing love
       • Uxorocide: Killing a female partner
   • Group display
     • Sport is ritualized aggression
       • benefits of success, without dangers
       • Replaced tribal warfare in modern society
       • Victory, success and intimidation in sport can bring status to players and fans
       • Can be seen as an expression of Xenophobia
       • Can be seen as an expression of territoriality
     • Warfare
       • Natural selection: More resources
       • Sexual selection: Warriors more attractive
       • Kin selection: fighting to save family

2. Biological

   • Hormonal
     • High Testosterone
       • Male secondary sexual characteristics
     • Low Cortisol
       • Calms body down after stress responce
       • Mcburnett et al. (2000)
         • 4 year study of boys with behavioural problems
         • Those with low cortisol
           • Anti-social behavior began earlier
           • 3 times as many aggressive symptoms as rest
   • Neurotransmitter
     • Low serotonin
       • Inhibits aggression
       • Increases social withdrawal
       • Increases inhibitions
     • High dopamine
       • Rewards stimuli eg food, sex, drugs
   • Genetic
     • MAOA gene
       • High serotonin in the womb: Inhibits response later
       • Evidence
         • Young et al. (2002) Fierce mice

3. Behavioural

   • Individual
     • Social Learning
       • Bandura et al. (1962) 'Bobo doll'
         • Child seing adult act aggressively acts more aggressively
       • Essential Conditions
         • Attention
         • Retention
         • Reproduction
         • Motivation
   • Group Display
     • Deindividualisation
       • Enhancing factors
         • Shared Responsibility
         • Alcohol and drugs
         • Uniforms
       • Le Bon: Collective mindset in mob
       • Diener: Self-awareness blocked by environmental factors
       • Support
         • Ellison et al. (1995): Agression in top up Vs top down convertable
         • Zimbardo (1969): Hooded figures gave longer shocks
         • Watson: Warriors who changed appearance
   • Institutional
     • Deprivation model (Paterline and Peterson 1999): Caused by situation
       • Loss of
         • Freedom
         • Personal space
         • Home comforts
         • Personal security
       • Desire to rebel expressed as agression
     • Importation model (Irwin and Cressy, 1962) by individuals
       • Prisoners 'import' their personalities, difficulties and histories