Psychology 301 Social Psychology Lecture 8, Sept 25, 2008 Aggression Instructor: Cherisse Seaton

Overview Review: Social Learning Dramas Attitude formation Defining Aggression Development of aggression Punishment and aggression Social learning – Bobo doll study

Readings for this section Aronson et al. Chapter 11

Social Learning Dramas Only by invitation Voluntary Social Norms - not necessarily cultural practices Intention is to address issues that are already problematic, not to impose Western ideals Universal Human Rights Model common problems people face and possible solutions: giving people choices

Social Learning Dramas Provide Information/ raise awareness E.g., Addressing AIDS myths Provide effective strategies Increase self-efficacy Guide, motivate and support behaviour in attempts to exercise control over own lives

Social Learning Dramas Contrast modeling Plotlines address common dilemmas – tailored to specific issues Often depict positive outcomes as well as contrasting negative outcomes Models positive strategies as well as adverse consequences Negative models exhibiting detrimental lifestyles Positive models exhibiting beneficial lifestyles Transitional models changing from detrimental to beneficial behaviours

Social Learning Dramas Viewers see others changing their lives for the better Highlights effective ways of overcoming situations Model how to manage setbacks and overcome failures Depicted outcomes provide incentive for change Vicarious motivators Example viewer response: “After watching Angoori die in child birth, I won’t allow my daughters to be married at an early age”

Aggression Defining aggressive acts: Physical harm – accidents? Intentions? Psychological harm Intent Prosocial aggression – e.g., war, police Antisocial aggression Perception of victim

Is it Aggression? Throwing a dish against the wall during an argument A person slams a door shut after an argument A prison ward executes a criminal A depressed person commits suicide Sticking a pin in a voodoo doll Throwing someone’s computer out of a window Supervisor giving negative feedback Drunk driver Gossiping about someone Killing animals for food A hunter kills an animal for a trophy A man mentally rehearses a murder One person calls another a racial slur

Aggression Definition: “Intentional behaviour aimed at causing either physical or psychological pain” (p.357) Hostile aggression “An act of aggression stemming from feelings of anger and aimed at inflicting pain” E.g., A jealous man kills his wife and her lover Instrumental aggression: “Aggression as a means to some goal other than causing pain” E.g., A hit man kills an unfaithful husband for 1,000 dollars

Formation of Attitudes 1.) Classical conditioning 2.) Instrumental/operant conditioning 3.) Cognitive Social Learning

1. Classical conditioning Positive & negative associations Desensitization Frequent exposure to aggression/ violence may reduce sensitivity Numbing effect Emotional response Physiological response E.g., Individuals exposed to violent film showed lower physiological response when subsequently viewing aggressive interaction between preschoolers than did those exposed to an equally exciting non-violent program (Thomas et al., 1977)

2. Operant conditioning…. Suggests that punishing aggressive acts will decrease the frequency of aggressive behaviour, Learned consequences While rewarding acts of aggression will increase the frequency of aggressive behaviour. E.g., Bullying

Punishment & Aggression Eron et al. (1963) Longitudinal study of 875 3rd graders Ss = 206 girls; 245 boys Variables: Parents level of punishment: Low intensity Medium High intensity

Variables: Peer rated aggression

Results Peer related aggression scores (at school)

Results Level of punishment at age 8  aggression 8, 18, 30 (peer- rated, teacher-rated, & self-rated) Severity of punishment, in particular the physical component, predicted higher levels of aggression (Lefkowitz, Walder, & Eron, 1963) Intergenerational effects of punishment (Lefkowitz, Huesmann, & Eron, 1978)

Parenting style and children's aggressive behaviour Punitive parenting Physical punishment, Yelled and shouted Child aggressive behaviour Fights Bullying

Why does physical punishment increase aggression? a.) Develops negative associations with the parent. b.) Punishing  arousal and upset  decreased learning c.) The act of ‘punishment’ itself, usually takes the form of an aggressive act, thereby providing an aggressive model But… Doing nothing is not a good option because aggression is also associated with… Lack of monitoring Excessive sibling fighting

Options: 1). Reinforce prosocial and mature behaviour 2). Offer alternative behaviours 3). Mild punishment (verbal reprimands / time-outs)

Mild punishment Mild punishment is effective if… 1. Regularly and predictably follow the undesirable action 2. Applied immediately 3. Clearly explain the bad behaviour Don’t make idle threats

Bullying Schoolyard bullies Norwegian & Swedish Ss = 4 th – 7 th graders Mild but swift Bullying reduced up to 50% Mild punishment changes attitudes and behaviour more than severe punishments Induce child to justify own restraint Insufficient justification

Attitudes and Aggression According to Cognitive Dissonance theory, when we hurt someone, we come to dislike or hurt that person as a way of justifying our cruelty Prejudicial attitudes Blaming the victim – bullying

3. Social Learning The social learning theory suggests that we learn social behaviours, such as aggression, by observing others and imitating them. Vicarious reinforcement -- seeing and recalling the model being reinforced.

Bobo doll studies Ss = children Watch a film in which an adult attacks a large inflated Bobo doll. Experimental manipulation (IV): the end of the film differed 1. the model is punished for treatment of the doll 2. the model receives no consequences 3. the model is rewarded for aggression to doll DV: child’s behaviour toward bobo doll

Bobo doll studies Bandura (1961, 1963) 5 min film clip

Vicarious Consequences

Next class… The big debate: T.V. violence Social Learning of Aggression