Chapter 4 - Aggression Topic 1 - Social psychological approaches to explaining aggression Social psychological theories of aggression Explanations of institutional aggression Topic 2 - Biological explanations of aggression The role of neural and hormonal mechanisms The role of genetic factors Topic 3 - Aggression as an adaptive response Evolutionary explanations of human aggression Explanations of group display in humans 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

Topic 1 - Social Psychological Approaches to Explaining Aggression Social psychological theories of aggression Explanations of institutional aggression 4 Aggression

Social Psychological Explanations of Aggression Social Learning Theory Direct and vicarious experience Learning by direct experience (operant conditioning) Learning by vicarious experience (observational learning) 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

Reinforcement The likelihood of a person behaving aggressively depends on Previous experiences of aggressive behaviour Reinforcement of past aggression Likelihood that current aggression will be rewarded Cognitive, social and environmental factors 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

Research into Social Learning Theory ‘Bobo doll’ experiments Teaching effect (acquisition of behaviour) Motivational effect (reproduction/performance of behaviour) 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

Social Learning Theory Evaluation Social Learning Theory Explains inconsistencies in aggressive behaviour Explains cultural differences in aggressive behaviour Social learning or biology as primary causal agent? 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

Deindividuation Individuated and deindividuated behaviour Public and private self-awareness 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

Research Related To Deindividuation The Stanford Prison experiment (Zimbardo et al. 1973) Deindividuation in mobs The baiting crowd The faceless crowd 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

Evaluation Deindividuation Deindividuation and pro-social behaviour The role of anonymity Social norms and behaviour The Zimbardo et al. prison study Deindividuation and football crowd violence 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

Explanations of Institutional Aggression Institutional aggression in prisons The importation model The deprivation model The power of the situation and the effect of dehumanising labels 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

Explanations of Institutional Aggression in Prisons Evaluation Explanations of Institutional Aggression in Prisons Research support for the importation model Limitations of the importation model Research support for the deprivation model Limitations of the deprivation model Real life relevance 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

Institutional Aggression in Initiation Rituals Special rituals and requirements for new members of a group Aim to create bond between members Hazing – painful initiation rituals 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

Explanations of Initiation Rituals Evaluation Explanations of Initiation Rituals Research support Why is hasing effective? 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

Psychological Approaches to Explaining Aggression Check Your Understanding Psychological Approaches to Explaining Aggression What is the difference between direct and vicarious reinforcement? According to Social Learning Theory, the likelihood of a person behaving aggressively is determined by what four factors? What conclusions can be drawn from the Bobo doll study concerning the imitation of aggression? Explain two evaluative points concerning the social learning theory of aggression. What is meant by ‘deindividuation’ in the context of aggression? What is the difference between ‘individuated’ and ‘deindividuated’ behaviour? 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

Psychological Approaches to Explaining Aggression Check Your Understanding Psychological Approaches to Explaining Aggression What conclusions can be drawn from Zimbardo’s Stanford Prison Experiment concerning the causes of aggressive behaviour? Explain two evaluative points concerning the deindividuation explanation of aggression. Explain the difference between the importation and deprivation models of institutional aggression. Explain two evaluative points concerning each of the importation and deprivation models of institutional aggression. Outline what is meant by initiation rituals (including ‘hazing’) and provide one explanation for this phenomenon. Explain two evaluative points concerning initiation rituals as a form of institutional aggression. 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

Topic 2 - Biological Explanations of Aggression Role of neural and hormonal mechanisms Role of genetic factors 4 Aggression

Neural and Hormonal Mechanisms in Aggression Neurotransmitters Hormones 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

Neurotransmitters Chemical messengers that transmit nerve impulses e.g. serotonin; dopamine Negative correlation between serotonin and aggression Positive correlation between dopamine and aggression 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

Neural Mechanisms in Aggression Evaluation Neural Mechanisms in Aggression Serotonin: alternative explanations Alcohol, serotonin and aggressive behaviour Research support Why it is difficult to establish a link between dopamine and aggression 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

Hormones Chemicals that regulate and control bodily functions e.g. testosterone; cortisol Positive correlation between testosterone and aggression Negative correlation between cortisol and aggression 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

Hormonal Mechanisms in Aggression Evaluation Hormonal Mechanisms in Aggression Inconsistent evidence on testosterone and aggression The positive influence of testosterone Research support for cortisol link Lack of consistent research evidence 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

Role of Genetic Factors in Aggressive Behaviour Twin studies Adoption studies 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

Twin Studies Support the role of genetic factors in aggression Aggressive behaviour more highly correlated in MZ than in DZ twins 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

Adoption Studies Support the role of genetic factors in aggression e.g. Danish study (Hutchings and Mednick, 1973) 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

Twin and Adoption Studies Evaluation Twin and Adoption Studies The imperfect nature of twin studies Gender differences in heritability Problems with the interpretation of adoption studies 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

Genes for Aggression Candidate genes: DRD4 and DRD3 Candidate gene for MAOA 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

Evaluation Genes for Aggression Genes for aggression do not predict aggressive behaviour Positive implications of genetic research Gene-environment interaction 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

Biological Approaches to Explaining Aggression Check Your Understanding Biological Approaches to Explaining Aggression Explain the main difference between the serotonin and dopamine explanations of aggression. Explain two critical points concerning the serotonin and dopamine explanations of aggression. Outline, in 50 words, the relationship between testosterone and aggression. 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

Biological Approaches to Explaining Aggression Check Your Understanding Biological Approaches to Explaining Aggression Explain three critical points concerning the relationship between hormones and aggression. Outline the main conclusions that can be drawn from twin and adoption studies of aggression. Explain three critical points concerning twin and adoption studies of aggression. 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

Topic 3 - Aggression as an Adaptive Response Evolutionary explanations of human aggression Explanations of group display in humans 4 Aggression

Evolutionary Explanations of Human Aggression Concept of natural selection Selection of ‘adaptive’ characteristics Infidelity and jealousy Cuckoldry and sexual jealousy Mate retention and violence 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

Infidelity and Jealousy as Explanations for Aggression Evaluation Infidelity and Jealousy as Explanations for Aggression Use of mate retention tactics Research on sexual coercion Practical applications of research 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

The Evolution of Murder Murder as an adaptive response To prevent harm To bolster reputation To protect resources Predisposing factors for murder Sexual jealousy Lack of resources Threats to male status 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

The Evolutionary Explanation of Murder Evaluation The Evolutionary Explanation of Murder Comparative evidence The evolved goal hypothesis – an alternative explanation 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

Evolutionary Explanations of Aggression Evaluation Evolutionary Explanations of Aggression Limitations of explanation Cultural differences 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

Evolutionary Explanations of Group Display in Humans Examples of group display: Lynch mobs Self directed aggression during religious and cultural displays 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

Adaptive Explanations for Lynch Mobs The power threat hypothesis Dehumanisation 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

Adaptive Explanations for Lynch Mobs Evaluation Adaptive Explanations for Lynch Mobs The Power threat hypothesis Evidence for dehumanisation The role of deindividuation 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

Adaptive Explanations for Religious/Cultural Displays Religious display and cooperative gains Costly signalling to deter free riders 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

Adaptive Explanations of Religious/Cultural Displays Evaluation Adaptive Explanations of Religious/Cultural Displays Religious displays Cultural rituals The evolutionary approach 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

Aggression as an Adaptive Response Check Your Understanding Aggression as an Adaptive Response Give three examples of mate retention strategies commonly used by human males. Explain the relationship between cuckoldry, infidelity and sexual jealousy. Explain two critical points concerning the infidelity/sexual jealousy explanation of aggression. Give two reasons why murder might be an evolutionary adaptation. Outline two situations in which murder has been shown to be an adaptive behaviour. 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

Aggression as an Adaptive Response Check Your Understanding Aggression as an Adaptive Response Explain two critical points concerning the ‘murder as an adaptive behaviour’ explanation. Outline two explanations of the behaviour of lynch mobs being an adaptive response. Explain two critical points concerning the behaviour of lynch mobs. What is meant by ‘costly signaling theory’ in the context of religious displays? Explain two evaluative points concerning the ‘costly signaling theory’ of religious displays. 4 Aggression 4 Aggression