Psychology: Aggression and Violence

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Questions and Answers

What characteristic distinguishes aggression from mere internal responses like thoughts or feelings?

Aggression is an observable action. (correct)

Aggression is a reflex action.

Aggression is a psychological response.

Aggression is solely verbal communication.

Which statement accurately reflects the nature of frustration in relation to aggression?

Frustration always leads to aggression.

Frustration can lead to various emotional responses, not just aggression. (correct)

Frustration directly causes harm to others.

Frustration is the only cause of aggressive behavior.

What is the primary distinction between aggression and violence?

Aggression involves only verbal harm, while violence is only physical.

Aggression is intentional, while violence is accidental.

Violence is always an impulsive act, while aggression is planned.

Violence is a form of aggression intended to cause extreme physical harm. (correct)

Under what condition does the reformulated frustration-aggression model suggest that frustration leads to aggression?

When frustration is linked to negative affect. Signup and view all the answers

What happens when frustration is unintentional or accidental, according to the content?

It reduces the likelihood of experiencing negative affect. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following options does not align with the features of aggression?

The action can be accidental and still considered aggression. Signup and view all the answers

Which best describes a limitation of the original frustration-aggression theory?

It ignores the role of emotional states other than frustration. Signup and view all the answers

Which example best illustrates a behavior that can be classified as aggression?

Someone pushing another person during an argument. Signup and view all the answers

How does culture influence aggression according to Cohen et al. 1996?

It promotes self-reliance in pursuing justice. Signup and view all the answers

What role does testosterone play in aggression?

It impacts anticipation of aggression and can escalate aggressive responses. Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of a public insult in Southern honor cultures?

It is viewed as a significant threat to masculinity. Signup and view all the answers

According to Dafeo et al. 2016, what is a consequence of honor cultures in terms of warfare?

Increased risk of war and aggressive military strategies. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Hostile Attribution Bias?

The tendency to perceive ambiguous actions as hostile. Signup and view all the answers

Which outcome is linked to individuals with a consistently high hostile attribution bias?

An increased risk of martial conflict and dissatisfaction. Signup and view all the answers

What connection do aggressive behaviors and ambiguous situations have?

Aggressive individuals see them as threats. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors has been shown to be less likely in honor cultures?

Seeking mental health support. Signup and view all the answers

What contributes to greater frustration and negative affect when failing to reach a goal?

Believing you are close to achieving the goal Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors is NOT listed as a cause of Negative Affect?

Anxiety Signup and view all the answers

According to research, which statement about gender and aggression is accurate?

Women generally use more indirect forms of aggression than men Signup and view all the answers

Which factor does NOT influence aggressive behavior?

Weather conditions Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the difference in aggression is attributed to gender according to Hyde's 1984 findings?

5% Signup and view all the answers

In studies related to aggression across cultures, what did Archer and McDaniel find about men?

Men were more inclined towards violent solutions to conflict Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes the types of aggression used by males and females?

Males primarily engage in physical aggression, while females favor indirect aggression Signup and view all the answers

Which factor can prevent an individual from exhibiting aggressive behavior?

Social norms Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary effect of alcohol on behavior according to the content?

It encourages aggression Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about hostile attribution bias is true?

It correlates with increased aggression Signup and view all the answers

What was the finding related to 14-year-olds and their exposure to images of alcohol?

It increased the association with aggression Signup and view all the answers

According to the findings on media and aggression, what impact does exposure to violent media have on children?

It conditions them to be more aggressive Signup and view all the answers

What effect does alcohol have on glucose levels, according to the content?

It reduces glucose levels Signup and view all the answers

What correlation did Eron (1982) find regarding teenagers and violent shows?

Teenagers who watched violent shows acted more aggressively Signup and view all the answers

What was observed about individuals who watch more violent television?

They show less emotional response to violent events Signup and view all the answers

According to schema theory, why might alcohol increase aggression?

People expect aggression when consuming alcohol Signup and view all the answers

What does the Mood Management Theory suggest about media choices?

Media is selected to balance emotional state. Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant finding related to the control group in the study?

They showed lower aggression levels. Signup and view all the answers

What limitation affects the interpretation of results in the study discussed?

There was insufficient frustration induced among participants. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about violent video games is supported by the study?

They may assist in managing stress and depression for some individuals. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of video games should not be suggested as a means to manage feelings?

The use of video games to manage emotional well-being. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Social Learning Theory suggest regarding violent media exposure?

It results in the development of aggressive scripts that may be enacted. Signup and view all the answers

What did the BoBo Doll Study demonstrate in relation to Social Learning Theory?

It was inconclusive due to biases in research methods. Signup and view all the answers

According to the Catharsis Hypothesis, how can aggression be released?

Through healthy expressions of aggression like playing violent video games. Signup and view all the answers

What was one finding regarding violent video games and previous experience with aggression?

Previous experience with violent video games was unrelated to aggression in a controlled study. Signup and view all the answers

What significant conclusion was drawn about violent video games in the research?

Research indicates they have no influence on aggression. Signup and view all the answers

What concern was raised regarding existing evidence for Social Learning Theory?

Research is skewed toward outcomes that align with popular beliefs. Signup and view all the answers

How do most studies approach the testing of the Catharsis Hypothesis, according to the findings?

They primarily measure other variables rather than aggression. Signup and view all the answers

What relationship was indicated between participants' physiological arousal and aggression after watching violent films?

Less physiological arousal correlated with increased aggressive behavior. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Aggression and Violence

Aggression is defined as any behavior (physical, verbal, or relational) intending to harm someone unwilling to be harmed.
Features of aggression include observable actions, intentional intent (not accidental), the victim's desire to avoid harm, possible or not achievement of the goal, and intentional harm to another person.
Examples of aggression include:
- Danny telling a coworker that Sarah is stealing printer ink.
- Tristan punching someone but missing.
- Susie kicking her partner under the table.

Violence

Violence is aggression intended to cause severe physical harm, serious injury, or death.

Frustration Aggression Theory 1

Aggressive behavior is always caused by frustration.
Frustration leads to aggression.
Frustration occurs when a person is prevented from achieving a goal.

Limitations & Problems of Frustration Aggression Theory 1

Ignores other causes of aggression like tiredness, anxiety, or overwhelm.
Aggression can cause other things besides frustration (sadness, depression)

Reformulated Frustration-Aggression Model 2

Frustration leads to aggressive inclinations only if it results in negative feelings.
Frustration and other negative feelings can lead to aggression if:
- It elicits negative feelings.
- It elicits aggressive inclinations.
Frustration does not automatically cause aggression.

Unintentional or accidental frustration reduces the chance of aggressive incidents.
Anticipating potential problems reduces frustration.
Failing to reach a goal when the outcome is expected will lead to higher frustration, negative emotions, and aggression.
Expectations about achieving a goal can influence frustration, negative emotions, and aggression.
- If people understand they might not reach a goal they experience less negative effects if the goal is not achieved.
- Closer proximity to a wanted object increases negative reactions if the object is taken away at last minute.
Negative feelings can be caused by:
- Frustration
- Pain
- Discomfort
- Heat or humidity
- Offensive odors

Factors Influencing Aggression

Personality
Mood
Gender
Culture
Cognitive biases
Alcohol
Media (violent)

Aggressive Behavior Influencers

Social norms
Consequences (of aggression)
Target attributions (Men more likely to aggress)
Victim attributions (e.g., gender differences in aggression; people more aggressive against same sex)

Gender and Aggression

Unprovoked men are more aggressive than unprovoked women (2002, Knight et al.).
In emotional situations, men are more aggressive than women (e.g., 2007, Burton et al.).
Men are more physically aggressive.
Men and women differ in the type of aggression they exhibit (physical vs. indirect).
Difference in aggression levels between men and women have been quantified as about 5%.
The type of aggression varies between men and women.
Women tend to use more indirect aggression, while men exhibit more physical aggression.

Culture and Aggression (Honour culture)

Honour culture: individuals feel obligated to defend their reputation through threats or violence.
Honour cultures exist in America, Southern America, inner city neighbourhoods, the middle east, jails, mafia, and action movies.
Honour cultures develop due to:
- Lack of authority
- Lack of law enforcement
- Lack of reliable authority protecting citizens
- People needing to protect themselves
Responding with disproportionate violence, aiming to be a leader, or protecting oneself.
Culture influences aggression (e.g., Cohen et al. 1996 South).
Law enforcement may be problematic for these communities.
Honour cultures create self-reliance in the pursuit of justice.
Cultures influenced by honour culture, aggression is more likely.
These cultures foster aggression via social norms.

Culture of Honour and Domestic Violence

Increased intimate partner violence and school violence in honour cultures
Less likely to seek mental health support.

Cognitive Biases and Aggression

Hostile attribution bias: perceiving ambiguous actions as hostile.
This bias is linked to aggression.
It develops from early experiences and personality styles.
People tend to perceive negative actions from others and see harm in things that may not have been intended as such. This perception can escalate conflict and aggressive behaviors.
Children with this bias potentially lead to more aggressive adults and are also potentially more likely to die before 50.
A cognitive bias from aggressive interpretations that results in aggression, more issues in a relationship, and the likelihood of death before 50.

Alcohol and Aggression

Alcohol is used to encourage aggression.
Soldiers are given alcohol to reduce anxiety. Leads to aggression.
Increased violet crime with alcohol.
Alcohol's disinhibitory effect makes people less cautious about unacceptable actions.
Reduced glucose causes reduced self-awareness.
People associating alcohol with aggression is heightened by societal influence.
Alcohol exposure and aggression are linked.
Younger people who have been exposed images of alcohol have a greater association between alcohol and aggression.

Media and Aggression

Exposure to violent media increases aggressive behaviors in children.
Violent video game exposure can lead to aggressive behaviors.
Television and films with violence, in particular, can create desensitization effect. People watching violence act more aggressively towards others.
Watching violence desensitizes onlookers to the act of violence.

Video Game Violence

Social Learning Theory posits that people learn by observing others.
Watching violent acts (video games, movies) might lead to internalization and enactment of similar acts in real life.
The catharsis hypothesis, which suggests that expressing aggression reduces feelings of frustration, is problematic due to study limitations.
Mood management suggests people actively choose media to regulate moods.
Violent games may help to calm people down in stressful circumstances.

Study Limitations

Quasi-studies measure correlation, not causation.
Limited sample sizes in studies limit the validity of the conclusions that can be drawn.

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Description

Explore the concepts of aggression and violence through this insightful quiz based on key theories and definitions. Delve into the Frustration Aggression Theory and its limitations while examining real-life examples of aggressive behavior. Test your understanding and knowledge on this important psychological topic.