Aggression Social Psychology
Behavior intended to injure another What is Aggression? Behavior intended to injure another It is behavior (not angry feelings) It is intended (not accidental harm) It is aimed at hurting (not assertiveness or playfulness)
Instrumental Aggression Type of Aggression Indirect Aggression Direct Aggression Emotional Aggression Instrumental Aggression
Type of Aggression Definition Example Indirect Aggression Attempt to hurt another without obvious face-to-face conflict Spreading a rumor that your ex-romantic partner has a sexually transmitted disease Direct Aggression Emotional Aggression Instrumental Aggression
Results and Implication Those watching the violent movie were more aggressive to begin with They became even more aggressive after watching the violent movie Implication: Watching Violence Magnifies Violent Inclinations
Culture of Honor A set of societal norms whose central idea is that people (particularly men) should be ready to defend their honor with violent retaliation if necessary… Southern U.S. has more honor-related homicides (Nisbett et al., 1995) Southern students respond more aggressively to an insult in a lab setting (Cohen, et al., 1996)
Self-protective aggression can increase danger Center for Disease Control (1991) This study found 1 in 5 H.S. students reported carrying a gun to school in preceding month
Self-protective aggression can increase danger Kellerman et al. (1993) Adults also often purchase guns for self-defense But guns are most often turned against friends, acquaintances, or self Owning a gun triples chance of being killed
Frustration-Aggression Hypothesis Original The theory that aggression is an automatic response to any blocking of goal-directed behavior Revised The theory that any unpleasant stimulation will lead to emotional aggression to the extent that it generates unpleasant feelings