1. Outline Contributors to aggression How to reduce aggression Learning
Social learning theory
Media and violence
Today will we be discussing body image, anorexia, and physical abuse
Evolution
Culture
Situation
Frustration aggression hypothesis
How to reduce aggression

2. Is it due to evolution?
Are we born into it?

3. Evolution?
Aggression allows people to defend their group and perpetuate one’s genes
Men
1) establish dominance (attracts mate)
2) ensure their paternity

4. Is it culture? As culture changes so too does aggression
Iroquois
Culture of honor
Be Polite to show honor
Act aggressively when honor affronted to restore status

5. Culture of Honor

6. clip

7. Is it due to the situation?
Frustration aggression hypothesis
Frustration – being prevented from reaching goals
Increases probability of aggression
Important factors
How close to goal – closer more aggression
Cut in line 2nd or 12 spot, more aggression when 2nd
Frustration is unexpected
Relative deprivation (you have less than you deserve), not deprivation alone contributes to frustration

8. Is it due to the situation?
Response to provocation
Retaliate more when provoked, unless learn of mitigating circumstance
Presence of aggressive stimuli, increases aggression
Alcohol
Expectations may be more important than level of intoxication
Heat and Pain
Long hot summer

9. Figure 12.1 The Long, Hot Summer Warm temperatures increase the likelihood that violent riots and other aggressive acts will occur. (Adapted from Carlsmith & Anderson, 1979)

10. How to reduce Aggression
Catharsis – release the aggression by performing an aggressive act, watching one, or fantasizing about one.
Freud’s hydraulic theory of aggression
Doesn’t work
Acts of violence increase after watching aggression.
Being allowed to aggress at time 1, does not curb aggression at time 2

11. How to reduce Aggression (cont)
Punishment
Insufficient punishment works
Judicial system
Punishment works when:
Prompt Certain / consistent
**consistency/certainty more important as a deterrent than severity
Perceived fair by the aggressor
Judicial system ineffective in light of these principles
Is corporal (physical) punishment effective?
# spankings can predict later child aggression, controlling for orig. aggression level

12. How to reduce Aggression (cont)
Active enabling techniques – ways of coping (count to 10)
Receive an apology
Teach Effective communication
Teach Empathy
Reduce daily aggression