Psychology of Aggression

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Questions and Answers

Match the factor with its impact on aggression:

Pain and heat = Increases irritability and aggression Aggressive cues = Priming aggressive thoughts Media influences = Significant effects on aggression Group influences = Amplifying aggression through anonymity

Match the type of media with its effect on aggression:

Violent pornography = Distorts perceptions of sexual reality Television violence = Desensitizes viewers to violence Video game violence = Engagement and rewards for virtual violence Pornography = Increases aggression against women

Match the psychological phenomenon with its description:

Mob violence = Group amplification of aggression Anonymity = Diffusion of responsibility Desensitization = Reduced emotional response to violence Social scripts = Guidelines for aggressive behavior

Match the source of arousal with its potential effect on aggression:

Exercise = Intensifies anger Sexual excitement = Increases likelihood of aggression Presence of weapons = Makes violence more likely Intentional attacks = Leads to retaliation Signup and view all the answers

Match the research finding with its implication on aggression:

Exposure to TV violence = Correlation with aggressive behavior Playing violent video games = Increases aggressive thoughts Exposure to aggressive cues = Priming for violence Group behavior in gangs = Amplification of aggression through anonymity Signup and view all the answers

Match the type of aggression with its description:

Hostile aggression = Driven by anger with the goal of injuring Instrumental aggression = Aims to injure to achieve another goal Displacement = Redirecting aggression to a safer target Relative deprivation = Feeling less well-off compared to others Signup and view all the answers

Match the theory of aggression with its explanation:

Instinct view = Aggressive energy builds up and needs release Evolutionary theory = Aggression helped in competing for mates and status Frustration-aggression theory = Frustration triggers a readiness to aggress Social learning theory = Aggression is learned through observation and imitation Signup and view all the answers

Match the biochemical factor with its effect on aggression:

Alcohol = Reduces self-awareness and disinhibits Testosterone = Linked to dominance and aggression Trans fats = High consumption linked to increased aggression Omega-3 fatty acids = Low intake linked to increased aggression Signup and view all the answers

Match the neural influence with its role:

Amygdala = Involved in aggression responses Prefrontal cortex = Regulates impulsivity and aggression MAOA-L gene = Increases sensitivity to aggressive cues Childhood maltreatment = Can exacerbate aggressive tendencies Signup and view all the answers

Match the aversive incident with its effect on aggression:

Pain = Can increase aggression Heat = Can increase irritation leading to aggression Aggressive cues = More likely to trigger aggression when present Unexpected frustration = Heightens readiness to aggress Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Aggression Definition

Aggression is behavior aimed at causing harm, either physically or socially.
Hostile aggression is driven by anger and aims to inflict injury.
Instrumental aggression also aims to injure but is a means to achieve another goal.

Theories of Aggression

Instinct View: Aggression is an inborn drive that needs release. This theory is largely unsupported due to the variability of aggression across individuals and cultures.
Evolutionary Psychology View: Aggression served adaptive purposes in human evolution, aiding in competition for mates and status.
Neural Influences: Brain areas like the amygdala and prefrontal cortex are involved in aggression.
Genetic Influences: Specific genes, like MAOA-L, can increase sensitivity to aggressive cues, especially in combination with childhood maltreatment.
Biochemical Factors: Alcohol and testosterone can boost aggression. Alcohol reduces self-awareness and disinhibition, while testosterone is linked to dominance and aggression.
Dietary Factors: High consumption of trans fats and sugary drinks, coupled with low omega-3 fatty acids intake, is associated with increased aggression.
Frustration-Aggression Theory: Frustration, a blockage of goal achievement, can trigger aggression. This is more probable when frustration is unexpected and aggressive cues are present.
Displacement : Redirecting aggression towards a safer target, often after being provoked.
Relative Deprivation: Feeling less well-off than others we compare ourselves to, can fuel aggression.
Social Learning Theory: Aggression is learned through observation and imitation. Individuals learn aggressive behavior from family, community, and media.
Aversive Incidents: Events like pain, heat, and attacks can trigger aggression. These incidents make individuals more irritable and prone to aggression.
Arousal: Any arousal, including exercise or sexual excitement, can intensify anger and increase aggression.
Aggressive Cues: The presence of weapons, for instance, can prime aggressive thoughts and increase the likelihood of violence.
Media Influences: Exposure to violent media, including pornography and violent television, can significantly impact aggression.
Pornography: Violent pornography can distort perceptions of sex and increase aggression against women.
Television Violence: Desensitizes viewers to violence, provides social scripts for aggressive behavior, and distorts reality.
Video Game Violence: Similar to television violence in its effects, potentially more impactful due to active engagement and rewards for virtual violence.

Other Factors Contributing to Aggression

Group Influences: Group dynamics can amplify aggression through diffused responsibility and anonymity, seen in phenomena like mob violence and gang behavior.

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Description

Explore the multifaceted nature of aggression in this quiz. Learn about its definitions, types, and various theories including instinctual and evolutionary perspectives. Delve into how genetics, neural influences, and biochemical factors contribute to aggressive behavior.