Social and Organizational Psychology

IBP 2017-2018

Aggression

Aggression is the intentional infliction of harm on others

• Theories:

  • Drive theories of aggression: aggression stems from externally elicited drives to harm or injure others
  • The frustration-aggression hypothesis: the suggestion that frustration is a very powerful determinant of aggression
  •  The general aggression model recognizes the importance of learning, various eliciting input variables, individual differences, affective states, and cognitive processes in aggression

• Frustration is a strong elicitor of aggression only under certain limited conditions. In contrast, provocation from others is a powerful elicitor of aggression

• Exposure to media violence and playing violent video games increases aggression

• Men appear to be more likely than women to engage in physical aggression, but the two genders do not differ significantly in terms of verbal aggression

• When does aggression increase?

  • High temperatures (unless it is too uncomfortable)
  • When consuming alcohol
  • There is an availability of weapons

• Bullying: repeated aggression against individuals who are unable to defend themselves against such treatment

  • Bullies and bully-victims appear to have lower self-esteem than children who are not involved in bullying
  •  In recent years, cyberbullying—bullying that occurs through electronic means has increased
  • Can be reduced by increased supervision by teachers, getting parents involved, and having popular peers serve as antibullying advocates

• Ways to reduce aggression:

  • Inducing thoughts and feelings that are incompatible with anger or aggression
  • Using cognitive techniques for changing the focus of your thought (e.g.: count to ten)
  • Punishment is rarely effective in reducing aggression

References:

Baron, R., & Branscombe, N. (2016). Social psychology (14th edition) Harlow: Pearson Education Limited

--Chapter 9