Aggression A2 Psychology-Dave

Aggression A2 Psychology-Dave

1. Social Explanations of Aggression

   • Aggressive behaviour learned through observation of role models behaviours or through punishment and reward of behaviour
     • The child observes the behaviour of role models and copies that behaviour
     • The aggressive behaviour is more likely to be reproduced if the behaviour is rewarded and vice versa
       • Bandura believed that observational learning is probably the most likely explanation of aggressive behaviour
       • If a child acts aggressively and gets something they want out of it the behaviour is reinforced. This makes it more likely to occur again. These principles are similar to those of operant conditioning

2. Biological Explanations Of Aggression

   • Neural Mechanisms
     • Seotonin
       • Therefore low levels of serotonin cause aggression
       • Serotonin has a controlling effect on aggression
     • Dopamine
       • High levels of dopamine cause aggression
       • This is because dopamine is linked to the reward systems in the brain meaning they don't truly understand reward and punishment for certain behaviours
   • Hormonal Mechanisms
     • Testosterone
       • Important factor in aggression
       • Is responsible for aggression due to its effect on the frontal lobe of the brain repsonsible for aggression
       • Over production of testosterone therefore causes aggression
     • Cortisol
       • Cortisol has a controlling effect on aggression
       • Under production of cortisol could therefore cause high levels of aggression

3. Evolutionary Theories Of Aggression

   • Mate Retention and Sexual Jealousy
     • Involved with cuckoldry. Man fears child not being theirs biologically so they would be wasting resources looking after something that isn't theirs
     • Male intimidates their women and possible competitors ensuring they won't be cheated upon. This ensures that when the child is born it is most definitely theirs biologically
     • The aim of the aggression is to keep partner from straying
   • Resources
     • Aggression can be an adaptive response which aims to protect land with the best resources and obtain land in order to gain the best resources
       • The top warriors also obtain the most mates and can reproduce which makes aggression an evolutionary adaptation
     • Aggression is a method of obtaining the best resources
   • Group Display
     • Sport
       • One explanation of group display aggression in sport is because by acting in an aggressive manner it gives you a better chance of winning. This increases status and gives you better access to resources and mates for reproduction
       • Xenophobia
         • Explanation of aggression in sport as its the fear of foreigners and in sport this is the oppositon. This aggression gives you the advantage.
         • Due to the Xenophobia you fear the opposition and avoid attack meaning more chance of survival and the ability to therfore go on and reproduce
     • Warfare
       • Aggression provides an advantage in battle
         • This means the aggressive person has access to the best resourcs and to mates for reproduction