Aggression is a form of antisocial behaviour which can be defined as “any act that harms another individual who is motivated to avoid such harm”. (Baron & Richardson, 1994). Aggression is a topic studied by many social psychologists who have, over many years, developed various theories about aggression. These theories are split in to two categories; instinct theories and bio-social theories. Instinct theories are based on the idea that aggression is innate and unavoidable, its theories rely heavily on biology as evidence. Bio-social, however, also refers to the biological nature as in instinct theories but that it is largely as the result of some form of social factor triggering such a response. This essay will discuss three of these bio-social …show more content…
This theory is the idea that aggression is developed as a result of seeing someone they perhaps look up to acting in an aggressive manner and so copying such actions is inevitable for them. (Brown, Treviño, & Harrison, 2005). The 1963 experiment lead by Bandura helped prove his hypothesises about social learning theory. The results of this experiment showed that while observing violent behaviour can affect some and cause them to act similarly, it can have almost no effect on others. This experiment also links to the theory of frustration aggression as the children were intentionally irritated prior to being put in the room with the bobo doll. Therefore, there are obvious similarities between these two theories. (Bandura, Ross, & Ross, Imitation of Film-Mediated Aggressive Models., 1963). Further research conducted by Bandura showed that social learning would only ever take place if the act was something they could visualise. Additionally, he concluded that people must be able to imagine receiving either a reward or being punished for that particular act before they would act in such a manner. (Bandura, Social Foundations of Thought and Action: A Social Cognitive Theory., 1986). As a whole, there is little entirely successful evidence to back up this particular theory which does make it slightly less reliable than other …show more content…
This theory is based on the idea that "frustration produces instigations to a number of different types of response, one of which is an instigation to some form of aggression." (Miller, 1941). Research into this theory was undergone by Kulik and Brown in 1979 which confirmed the theory as relevant and correct. The study showed that as there was a decrease in ability to complete a task, there was an increase in frustration and, of course, aggression. Therefore, the participants who received an adverse phone call during the experiment were, to a large extent, the ones who would choose the letter that would be considered equally as hostile as the phone call, as well as being the most aggressive. (Kulik & Brown, 1979). This theory fits in with real, everyday life and is relatable to situations which are very likely to occur each day. An example of this is people stuck in traffic jams for a prolonged period, especially when they have somewhere to be, can result in an increase in road
One example of the “Social Learning Theory” is the Bobo doll experiment conducted by Albert Bandura in 1961. In this experiment children were either exposed to an adult exhibiting aggressive behavior or non-aggressive behavior towards the doll. When it came time for the children to interact with the doll, the children who were exposed to aggressive behavior were more likely to exhibit aggressive behavior (Nolen, n.d.).
Nurture brings out the aggressive behaviour in humans. Mikal Gilmore’s book, Shot in the Heart, correlates with the aspect of aggressive behaviour nurture because of how he turned out unlike the other four, who did not have a this ability to kill. The nurture of a child into adulthood develops and creates the aggressive behaviour within the environment. The aggressive behaviour can be found in every human, but it is not until the cognitive development of a child that the aggressive behaviour can start to form and become overpowering. Though the basis of aggression is found in people it is not until a child is exposed to an aggressive
This essay will provide an analytical comparison of the approaches of Psychodynamic perspective and Behaviourist perspective, in understanding Aggression. One assumption about human behaviour from the psychodynamic perspective is that all behaviour including aggression is determined by our genes. In contrast, the behaviourist perspective argues that aggression is shaped by our environment.
One of the most researched topics in the history of psychology is aggression. One goal of social scientists has been to define aggression. Some believe that aggression is biologically preprogrammed, others look toward situational factors and this study suggests that aggression is learned. This study was conducted by Albert Bandura and his associates in 1961 at Stanford University. The researchers proposed that the children be exposed to adult models with either aggressive or nonaggressive ways, they would then be tested without the models present to determine if they would imitate that aggression they observed in the adult.
Aggression is defined as any behavior intended to harm another person who is motivated to avoid the harm according to Baumeister & Bushman (2014). A study was conducted in 1967 by Leonard Berkowitz and Anthony LePage, to determine whether the presence of weapons would elicit aggressive behavior from an individual (Baumeister & Bushman, 2014). They hypothesized that participants were likely to associate weapons, particularly firearms, to aggression and violence, which would cause observing a weapon to elicit an aggressive response. The experiment determined that the presence of weapon can elicit an aggressive response from people ready to act aggressively. In the study, participants were shocked up to seven times then given the opportunity to
In comparison Robert Wright and Jane Ellen Stevens hold different positions on their stance about the biology of violence. Stevens writes in her article that it is her belief that violence is a direct result of biological or public health problems. Wright’s view differs as his article shows why he believes that violence is a result of external causes beyond the simple biological explanation. Whereas both authors have opposing viewpoints each presents an argument worth of consideration.
Neihoff, D. (1999). The biology of violence: How understanding the brain, behavior and environment can break the vicious circle of aggression. New York: Free Press.
Since the beginning of social psychology, psychologist has been trying to analyze how people’s thoughts, feelings, and behavior are impacted by aggression. When an aggressive person gets frustrated or upset, social psychologist tracks down what exactly drives them to commit crimes, atrocities, or even abuse. According to Kassin, Fein, and Markus, aggression is “behavior intended to harm another individual” (2016). Individuals who attain this trait don’t always have to physically abuse someone, aggressive attacks could be verbal, emotional, or mental as well. Although many might argue that people who are viewed as aggressive tend to harm another person because that is their only cure, however, there are alternative motives that drive aggression,
The complexities of human emotions and connections have been questioned throughout time. These intricacies are especially central to Frederick Backman's novel, Anxious People, where readers are introduced to a unique situation: a bank robbery has gone wrong and turned into a hostage situation. Within a small town, a failed bank robber decided to take a group of people hostage during an apartment viewing. Police eventually become involved with the situation, and it is through their interrogations with the hostages and negotiations with the robber that the real focus of the story is revealed: the people inside the apartment and their shared experiences, fears, and anxieties, highlighting the universal struggles people face in their daily lives.
Freud believes that aggression is a primal instinct, and civilization thwarts this instinct, making man unhappy. Civilized society controls man's tendency toward aggression through rules and laws and the presence of authority. These mechanisms are put in place to guarantee safety and happiness for all individuals in a society. However, the necessity of suppressing the aggressive drive in m...
Why are we as aggressive and can we develop a way to reduce our ever increasing aggressive behavior? What this research paper is going to cover just might answer that. First we’re going to go over different types of aggression and the differences between them. Next will be the several theories about aggression. This will cover from a biological and genetic point of view to how our diet affects our behaviors in negative ways. We will even look into how our culture has an effect on our aggression levels. Last is what ways can we potentially reduce and manage our angry tendencies as well as control the ever rising aggressive behavior in our society.
The field of psychology has opened different hypothesis from a variety of theories with the aim of studying the behaviour of humans being as a result they concluded with five psychological perspectives. Behaviourist, Biological, Psychodynamic, Cognitive and Humanistic perspectives are the deduction after a depth study of mental activity associate to human behaviour. In this essay I will be comparing two psychological perspectives according to aggressive behaviour.
Aggression is a problem that is very common in many children and that if not addressed early enough would continue through adolescence and later on in life. Aggression can be caused by a multitude of factor, which is sometimes considered part of a normal developmental stage; never the less aggression can also be a symptom of a multitude of disruptive behaviors (Barzman & Findling, 2008). It is important that parents learn to deal with this type of behaviors and find ways to effectively modify the child’s misconduct; according to Barzman & Findling (2008) the intricacy of aggression needs to be addressed through complex assessment strategies.
Prosocial behaviour is described by Eisenberg (1988) as 'voluntary behaviour intended to benefit another regardless of motive', while aggression is viewed as 'behaviour intended to harm others'. Indeed the definitions would suggest that the two be opposed yet related. Yet the infinite array of situations in which people behave in these two particular ways and the differing extents to which they do so have made it difficult to discern the exact nature and, in fact, the very existence of, the link between them. Both require a degree of social perception and serve an extremely important purpose in the process of natural selection.
Violence can be an example of a behaviour being taught and developed through these theories, and can explain the ‘contagious’ nature of violence. You find violence; actions done with intent to harm, in the media, TV, and through video games but also through real life present observations or interactions with people. Some research suggests it is through observation and imitation violence and aggression is developed, other research has found that it is developed or taught in different ways. It has also been suggested that violence isn’t necessarily taught either.