1. Explaining and Reducing Aggression Aggression is an action performed with the deliberate intention of harming or injuring another person. Aggression is an action performed with the deliberate intention of harming or injuring another person.

2. Types of Aggression Hostile aggression Hostile aggression Aggression motivated by negative emotions such as angerAggression motivated by negative emotions such as anger Intent is to inflict injury because of the angerIntent is to inflict injury because of the anger

3. Types of Aggression Instrumental aggression Instrumental aggression Aggression used to achieve a goal.Aggression used to achieve a goal. Not emotional.Not emotional.

4. Types of Aggression Symbolic aggression Symbolic aggression No physical harm toward victim.No physical harm toward victim. Aggression is directed against property or takes the form of verbal aggression.Aggression is directed against property or takes the form of verbal aggression.

5. Types of Aggression Sanctioned aggression Sanctioned aggression Aggression approved of and perhaps rewarded by society as in self-defense and war.Aggression approved of and perhaps rewarded by society as in self-defense and war.

6. Causes of Aggression A. Biological basesA. Biological bases 1. Brain – Limbic system 1. Brain – Limbic system Case studiesCase studies Animal researchAnimal research

7. Biological Causes of Aggression 2. Hormones – Testosterone 2. Hormones – Testosterone Correlational studiesCorrelational studies Male vs. Female Male vs. Female XY vs. XYY XY vs. XYY Animal researchAnimal research

8. Causes of Aggression B. LearningB. Learning 1. Social learning theory – people learn by observing others 1. Social learning theory – people learn by observing others Bandura’s “Bobo doll” studiesBandura’s “Bobo doll” studies Studies of media violence and aggressive behaviorStudies of media violence and aggressive behavior

9. Learning & Aggression 2. Cultural norms 2. Cultural norms The Culture of HonorThe Culture of Honor

10. Causes of Aggression C. Motives and Emotions C. Motives and Emotions 1. Frustration-aggression hypothesis1. Frustration-aggression hypothesis (Dollard & Miller) i. Frustration always leads to aggression i. Frustration always leads to aggression ii. Aggression is always preceded by frustration ii. Aggression is always preceded by frustration Problems:Problems: Frustration does not always lead to aggression Frustration does not always lead to aggression Other factors can bring on aggression Other factors can bring on aggression

11. Frustration, Anger, and Aggression (Geen, 1968) No FrustrationTask Frustration Personal Frustration Insulted by Another

12. General Aggression Model (Anderson) Individual Differences Situational Variables Physiological Arousal Aggressive Thoughts Aggressive Feelings Appraisal Processes Behavioral Choice

13. Controlling Aggression 1. Psychodynamic processes: 1. Psychodynamic processes: CatharsisCatharsis

14. Controlling Aggression 2. Motivational processes: 2. Motivational processes: Control arousalControl arousal Incompatible response strategyIncompatible response strategy Gun controlGun control

15. Controlling Aggression 3. Learning processes: 3. Learning processes: Censor aggressive modelsCensor aggressive models Model prosocial behaviorModel prosocial behavior Introduce stronger penalties for violent behaviorIntroduce stronger penalties for violent behavior