Psychology of Frustration and Aggression

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Questions and Answers

What is a characteristic of passive-aggressive behaviours?

It is a direct form of aggression

It is a form of instrumental aggression

It is a hostile behaviour that does not inflict physical harm (correct)

It inflicts physical harm

What is the primary goal of hostile aggression?

To make the victim suffer (correct)

To calculate the cost of an action

To obtain a desired object

To express anger

What is a key distinguishing feature of instrumental aggression?

It is a form of passive-aggressive behaviour

It is a response to anger-inducing conditions

It is a goal-oriented behaviour (correct)

It is a type of hostile aggression

What is anger, according to the text?

A normal human emotion Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of the 2-category division of aggression?

It does not account for multiple motives Signup and view all the answers

What is a possible consequence of not managing anger properly?

Increased aggression Signup and view all the answers

What is a type of crime that often involves instrumental aggression?

Robbery Signup and view all the answers

What is a better way to understand aggressive actions, according to the text?

By placing them on a continuum Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of individuals with hostile attribution bias?

They tend to view the world through blood-red tinted glasses. Signup and view all the answers

What is a script in the context of social problem-solving?

A cognitive program acquired over time and stored in a person's memory Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of making hostile attributions in childhood?

Escalation of aggression in response to provocation. Signup and view all the answers

How are scripts typically learned?

Through direct experiences and observing significant others Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of violent youth?

They define social problems in hostile ways. Signup and view all the answers

When does hostile attribution bias begin to develop?

During preschool years. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to scripts once they are established?

They become resistant to change and may persist into adulthood Signup and view all the answers

What role do parents play in script development?

Children tend to mimic their parents' aggressive behaviors and encode their scripts Signup and view all the answers

What is a factor that contributes to the development of hostile attribution bias?

Early exposure to family abuse or maltreatment. Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of peer rejection for children prone to hostile attribution bias?

Maintenance of hostile attribution bias. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Hostile Attribution Model?

A tendency to perceive hostile intent in others, even when it is lacking Signup and view all the answers

What is involved in the evaluation process of script selection and use?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of children who outgrow hostile attribution bias?

They develop advanced social-cognitive skills. Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of broken trust in children?

They think everyone is trying to harm them. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to scripts that are inconsistent with internalized standards?

They are not stored or utilized Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of emotions in script selection and evaluation?

Emotions influence script selection and evaluation Signup and view all the answers

What is the likely outcome when an individual's behaviour towards a certain goal is thwarted?

Frustration and anger Signup and view all the answers

Why may people in deprived conditions not be frustrated?

They do not expect better circumstances Signup and view all the answers

What is the only plausible response to frustration according to the original hypothesis?

Aggression Signup and view all the answers

What is the revised hypothesis's first step in the process of responding to frustrating circumstances?

Person is blocked from obtaining expected goal Signup and view all the answers

What factor influences whether or not a person acts aggressively in response to frustration?

Their learning and interpretation of the event Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'Weapons Effect' in the context of aggression and violence?

The presence of a weapon facilitates overt aggression and violence Signup and view all the answers

What is the flaw in the research that tried to replicate the 'Weapons Effect' finding?

Demand Characteristics Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'Weapons Effect' also known as in the context of crime and witness testimony?

The Suggestion that the mere presence of a weapon leads a witness to concentrate on the weapon Signup and view all the answers

What is the excitation transfer theory often used to explain?

Road rage incidents Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a component of the general aggression model (GAM)?

Social norms Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between reactive and proactive forms of aggression?

Reactive aggression is impulsive, while proactive aggression is planned Signup and view all the answers

Which theory suggests that people learn aggressive behavior by observing and imitating others?

Social learning theory Signup and view all the answers

What is the contagion effect in the context of aggression?

The imitation of aggressive behavior by others Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the cognitive models of aggression?

Behavior patterns, emotions, cognitions, and development Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Frustration and Aggression

Frustration arises when behaviour towards a certain goal is thwarted, leading to aggression
People in deprived conditions may not feel frustrated unless they expect better

Response to Frustration

Aggression is only one possible response to frustration
Other reactions include:
- Withdrawal
- Doing nothing
- Getting out of the situation completely
- Compromising
Individual differences play a significant role in responding to frustrating circumstances

Revised Hypothesis

When a person is blocked from obtaining an expected goal, frustration results, generating anger
Anger predisposes the person to behave aggressively
Whether or not the person acts aggressively depends on:
- Learning
- Interpretation of the event
- Individual way of responding to frustration
- Presence of aggression-eliciting stimuli in the environment

Weapons Effect

Firearms are associated with aggression and can facilitate overt aggression and violence
Visible weapons can facilitate aggressive responses rather than inhibit them

Passive-Aggressive Behaviours

Hostile behaviours that do not inflict physical harm, such as refusing to speak to someone
Generally interpreted as aggressive in intent
Behaviour is passive and indirect

Types of Aggression

Reactive-Impulsive Aggression

Occurs in response to anger-inducing conditions (e.g., real or perceived insults, physical attacks, failures)
Aggressor's goal is to make the victim suffer
Characterized by intense and disorganizing emotion of anger

Instrumental Aggression

More purposeful and goal-oriented
Begins with competition or desire for an object or status possessed by another person
Perpetrator tries to obtain the desired object regardless of the cost
May harm the victim to obtain the desired goal if the victim interferes

Scripts and Aggression

Learned through daily experiences and observing significant others
Each script is unique to each person and becomes resistant to change
Can be retrieved and used when an individual faces a problem
Emotions play a crucial role in script selection and evaluation

Hostile Attribution Model

Tendency to perceive hostile intent in others, even when it is lacking
People prone to violence are more likely to interpret ambiguous actions as hostile and threatening
Children who consistently make hostile attributions about others may escalate aggression in response to provocation and become chronically anxious

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Description

This quiz explores the psychological concepts of frustration, aggression, and individual differences in response to frustrating situations. Learn about the possible reactions to thwarted goals and the role of expectations in experiencing frustration.