1. Aggression and Violence
Chapter Eleven
Aggression and Violence

2. Defining Aggression
Aggression is any form of behavior that is intended to injure someone physically or psychologically
hostile aggression: impulsive
instrumental aggression: purposeful
relational aggression: damage to relationships

3. Concept Review

4. Theories of Aggression
General Aggression Model (GAM)
aggressive thoughts
aggressive feelings
physiological arousal
Incorporates elements of other popular theories of aggression

5. Concept Review

6. Frustration and Aggression
Argued that aggression was always a consequence of frustration
Frustration broadly defined as the blocking of efforts to obtain a goal
Frustration-aggression hypothesis:
frustration always leads to some form of aggression
frustration is the only cause of aggression

7. Frustration and Aggression Revisited
Original frustration-aggression hypothesis was too simplistic
for example, anger can produce aggression as readily as frustration can
Revised frustration-aggression hypothesis:
frustration sometimes causes aggression
aggression is sometimes caused by frustration

8. Displaced Aggression and Catharsis
aggression is directed toward something other than the source of frustration
Catharsis
getting aggression “out of one’s system”
doesn’t work
opportunities for aggression usually heighten subsequent aggression

9. Excitation Transfer
Unrelated physiological arousal can be linked to anger-related thoughts and cognitions
This can increase anger-related aggression

10. Figure 11.4 Diagram of conditions in Zillmann, Katcher, and Milavsky experiment, 1972

11. Social Learning Theory
Humans learn many kinds of responses simply by observing others
aggressive responses can be learned through the same process
Bobo doll experiments are an example

12. Figures 11.5 Number of acts of imitative aggression in each condition

13. Cognitive Neoassociation Model
Unpleasant event arouses negative emotion
Negative emotion triggers two schemas:
tendency to fight
tendency toward flight
These schemas activate anger and fear
cues in the environment guide behavior toward one set of responses or the other

14. Nice GAMs
The General Aggression Model incorporates aspects of frustration/aggression, excitation transfer, social learning, cognitive neoassociation

15. Concept Review

16. Aggression: Individual Differences
Narcissists often display threatened egotism
hostility and aggression in response to being criticized
Trait aggressiveness
some people are more likely than others to respond to provocation with aggression

17. Aggression and Alcohol
As a depressant, alcohol reduces normal inhibitions against aggression
Alcohol consumption causes changes in thought, perception, and interpretation
this can have indirect effects on aggression
Alcohol myopia refers to a narrowing of attention and reduction in cognitive capacity when intoxicated

18. Social Context of Aggression
Culture and aggression
there are cultural differences in levels of aggressive behavior, as typically measured by rates of homicide or other violent crime
the United States, for example, often has the highest rate of homicide among industrialized nations
“culture of honor” may explain regional differences in aggressive behavior

19. Aggression on the Playground
Anger emerges as a distinct emotional response within the first six months of life
As children age, aggressive responses follow a developmental sequence

20. Aggression in Close Relationships
Batterers
family-only aggressors are least violent
dysphoric/borderline aggressors sometimes engage in severe physical abuse
generally violent/antisocial aggressors are indiscriminate in their violent acts, often victimizing an available target (such as a family member)

21. Aggression in Groups
Mob violence may be due to:
deindividuation
conformity pressure
Mob violence may be organized (e.g., the Klan) or disorganized (e.g., a riot)

22. Media Effects on Aggression: TV
Television violence
longitudinal studies reveal that aggressive adults had watched more violence on television as children and had identified more closely with aggressive characters then did less-aggressive adults

23. Media Effects on Aggression: Games
Violent video games
some researchers have concluded that the available evidence linking game playing and aggression is marred by methodological flaws that limit strong conclusions
other researchers have found small but significant effects relating game playing to increased aggression

24. Media Effects on Aggression: Pornography
Some definitions
erotica is sexually explicit, nonviolent
degrading pornography debases people, usually women
violent pornography depicts hostile sexual activity
Erotica has few if any negative effects
Conclusions regarding the other forms are less clear

25. Controlling Aggression and Violence
Controlling anger
cognitive-relaxation coping skills training and cognitive restructuring contribute to this process
Teaching alternatives to aggression
communication and empathy are key
Reducing aversive environments
minimizing physical discomfort is one approach