Aggression and Conflict

 I.                Definition(s) of Aggression

II.           Theories of Aggression

III.      Example Experiments and Applications

I. Definition

Aggression =      “Intentional harm done by one person to another” (Wiggins et al. p.372)

Aggression can be further distinguished according to the criteria of:

1. intent

2. legitimacy

3. content

4. object

1. Intent or Motive to show aggressive behavior

 a)     Intend to harm someone

b)     to achieve something else: instrumental aggression

c)     to indicate that the other=s party is wrong: punishment, sanction

 

2. Legitimacy to show aggressive behavior

A) consistent with social norms: discipline or self-defense

B) contrary to social norms: abuse, brutality, or neglect

 

3. Content

A) Physiological

B) Psychological

 

4. Object of aggression

A) Others

B) Self

C) Animals

 

II. Some Theoretical Approaches

1. Evolutionary Views on Aggression

A)   Ethological Perspective

Konrad Lorenz and Eibl-Eibesfeld

·       During their evolutionary history, humans developed mechanisms to cope with their very limited killing capacities.

·       Killing with bare hands involves hearing the cries, sense the breath, and feel and smell the body of the opponent.

·       Today, when people fire at objects on their radar screens, these inhibitory mechanisms cannot work.

 

B)    Sociobiological Perspective

·       Focuses on the Gene rather than the individual.  Aggression is a strategy that allows some genes to compete and survive at the expense of others

 

2. Freud: Frustration leads to Aggression

 

Freud’s frustration-aggression hypothesis became much more refined (e.g. Berkowitz)

“Anger remains a motivating force until it is discharged though aggressive behavior”(p.382)

The two basic assumptions are:

1. Frustration produces aggression.

2. Aggression never occurs without prior frustration.

 

overhead

Anger in the Frustration-Aggression Theory:

Frustration    =>    Anger    =>    Aggressive Behavior

                     causes          motivates

 

We reduce aggression by showing aggressive behavior:

 

Displacement and Catharsis

Displacement:        When anger becomes free-floating, that is, detached form its source, it can be discharged through aggressive behavior against another person, group or object.

                                Examples: Scapegoating, (legal) aggression against drug consumers, pedophiles...  

Catharsis:       lessening aggressive energy by discharging it through aggressive behavior.  This is the hydraulic model of psychology.

                        Stryker’s example of a boiling pot.  Steam builds up as pressure, only lifting the cover will vent the steam and reduce the pressure.

 

Can we really reduce anger by aggressive behavior?

How valid is the assumption that we can reduce anger, the cause of aggressive behavior by showing aggressive behavior?