Questions and Answers
What does the frustration-aggression hypothesis see as the cause of aggression?
What is the basic claim of Dollard et al.'s frustration-aggression hypothesis?
All aggression is a result of frustration.
What did Pastore (1952) distinguish between in his research on frustration and aggression?
Justified and unjustified frustration.
Displaced aggression occurs when an individual cannot be aggressive toward the source of frustration.
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What did Berkowitz's revised frustration-aggression hypothesis argue?
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Aggression is an automatic response to all instances of frustration.
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The impulse to attack the source of frustration can result in __________ aggression.
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Study Notes
Frustration-Aggression Hypothesis Overview
- Defines aggression as a consequence of frustration, which is any event preventing goal attainment.
- Proposed by Dollard et al. in 1939, suggesting that frustration is a necessary condition for aggression.
Core Concepts
- Frustration occurs when individuals are prevented from obtaining desired outcomes, leading to aggression.
- Illustrates a cause-effect relationship between frustration and aggressive behavior, termed catharsis, which releases pent-up aggressive energy.
- Motivation's intensity toward achieving goals influences frustration levels; stronger motivation leads to increased frustration.
Contextual Factors Influencing Aggression
- Context can inhibit aggression, such as the threat of punishment.
- Real-world example: Brown et al. (2001) found that British holidaymakers displayed hostility towards French individuals when frustration arose from blocked travel plans.
Justified vs. Unjustified Frustration
- Research by Doob and Sears (1939) indicated that most individuals feel angry in frustrating situations.
- Pastore (1952) differentiated between justified and unjustified frustration; the latter more likely incites anger and aggression.
- An example of justified frustration involves a bus displaying an "out of service" message, which resulted in reduced anger from participants.
Displaced Aggression
- The hypothesis explains that when individuals are frustrated, they often direct aggression towards alternative targets instead of the source of frustration.
- This behavior is known as the "kicking the dog" effect; individuals may lash out at innocuous targets (e.g., pets) due to inhibited aggression towards the actual source (e.g., boss, government).
Revised Hypothesis by Berkowitz
- Berkowitz (1989) critiqued the original hypothesis, suggesting frustration is not solely responsible for aggression.
- Introduced the idea that various unpleasant experiences contribute to a negative affect, which can trigger aggression.
- Emphasized that it is the resulting negative feelings (not just frustration) that promote aggressive reactions.
- Stressed that unanticipated interference is likely to provoke a stronger aggressive reaction compared to anticipated frustrations.
Evaluation of the Frustration-Aggression Hypothesis
- Social learning theorists argue that aggression is one of multiple responses to frustration.
- Frustration produces generalized arousal, but individual learning determines responses based on past effectiveness or observational learning.
- Alternative views suggest that learned experiences shape aggressive behaviors rather than innate responses to frustration, highlighting the role of situational factors and personal history.
Lack of Research Support
- Central claims of the frustration-aggression hypothesis lack robust empirical support, indicating the need for further investigation into the nuances of aggression and frustration.
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Description
Test your understanding of the frustration-aggression hypothesis with these flashcards. Each card provides key terms and definitions that explain the connection between frustration and aggressive behavior. This quiz is ideal for psychology students looking to reinforce their knowledge of this fundamental concept.
