Lecture 15: Aggression || PSY 203: Social Psychology

Summary

This social psychology lecture delves into the multifaceted nature of aggression, exploring its definitions, forms, and the harm it inflicts. It discusses the ABC model of aggression, distinguishing between instrumental and emotional aggression, and examines the biological, environmental, and social factors contributing to aggressive behavior. The lecture also touches on the impact of heat, the presence of weapons, and media influence on aggression. It highlights the importance of empathy in reducing aggression and dispels myths associated with rape culture, emphasizing the need for societal interventions to mitigate aggressive tendencies.

Takeaways

• 📚 The lecture discusses various forms of aggression, its definition, sources, and the harm it causes.
• 🔍 Aggression is broadly defined as any physical or verbal behavior intended to harm another person or living thing, including oneself.
• 🌟 The ABC model of aggression includes Anger, Behavior (violence), and Cognition (hostility).
• 🔑 There are two types of aggression: instrumental (inflicting harm to achieve a goal) and emotional (inflicting harm for its own sake).
• 🤕 The harm caused by aggression can range from physical harm to psychological trauma, including PTSD and anxiety.
• 🧬 Biological sources of aggression include genetic factors, such as the MAO-A gene, and hormonal influences like testosterone.
• 💡 The frustration-aggression hypothesis suggests that frustration can increase the likelihood of an aggressive response.
• ☀️ Seasonal factors, particularly heat, are associated with increased aggression, as are certain situational factors like the presence of weapons.
• 🏳️‍🌈 Social learning theory emphasizes the role of modeling in learning aggressive behaviors, as demonstrated by Bandura's Bobo doll experiments.
• 🚺 Gender differences in aggression show that males tend to engage in more physical aggression, while females are more likely to participate in relational aggression.
• 🌐 Cross-cultural research indicates that aggression levels can vary significantly between cultures and are influenced by both biological and social factors.
• 🔪 The concept of 'rape culture' is explored, highlighting the social and cultural factors that contribute to the perpetuation of sexual violence.

Q & A

What is the definition of aggression according to the lecture?

Aggression is defined as physical or verbal behavior intended to hurt another person or any other living thing, and can also include inanimate objects.

What are the two types of aggression mentioned in the lecture?

The two types of aggression are instrumental aggression, which is inflicting harm to obtain something of value, and emotional aggression, which is inflicting harm for its own sake.

What is the harm caused by aggression?

The harm caused by aggression can range from physical harm, such as immediate or lasting feelings of pain, suffering, injury, or death, to psychological trauma, including generalized anxiety, hypervigilance, sleeplessness, irritability, self-blame, post-traumatic stress disorder, and serious harm or death.

What is the role of the MAO-A gene in relation to aggression?

The MAO-A gene, particularly its short form, is linked to aggression in non-human species. In humans, the presence of the short form of the MAO-A gene, combined with a history of childhood abuse, is associated with a higher likelihood of being convicted of a violent crime.

How does testosterone relate to aggression?

Testosterone is associated with aggression as it is linked to increased impulse control and temper issues. However, the relationship is bi-directional, meaning that not only does testosterone increase aggression, but aggression also increases testosterone levels.

What is the frustration-aggression hypothesis?

The frustration-aggression hypothesis suggests that when an individual is thwarted from reaching a goal, it increases the probability of an aggressive response.

What is the weapons effect and how does it relate to aggression?

The weapons effect refers to the phenomenon where the mere presence, description, or visual representation of weapons increases the probability of aggressive behaviors.

What is the role of social learning theory in understanding aggression?

Social learning theory, as demonstrated by Bandura's Bobo doll experiments, suggests that children learn aggressive behaviors by observing and modeling the actions of others, especially when those actions are rewarded.

What are the gender differences in aggression mentioned in the lecture?

Men and boys are more likely to engage in physical aggression, while women and girls tend to participate in relational aggression, which involves harming someone through their relationships or social status.

What is the concept of a culture of honor and how does it relate to aggression?

A culture of honor is characterized by strong concerns about reputation and a sensitivity to insults, which can lead to a willingness to use violence to avenge perceived wrongs. This concept is particularly associated with the American South.

What is the definition of rape culture and how does it relate to aggression?

Rape culture refers to an environment characterized by pervasive or normalized sexual violence, which is largely perpetuated by men on women. It is not a biological drive but a conditioned response that maintains gender inequality.

What are some ways to reduce aggression as discussed in the lecture?

Ways to reduce aggression include societal interventions like improving quality of life to reduce frustration, controlling the availability of guns to mitigate the weapons effect, punishing aggression effectively using operant conditioning, and reframing media depictions of aggression.