Aggression

Question 1

Define aggression.

Answer 1

• Behaviour that is intended to injure a person or to destroy property.
• ‘who does not wish to be harmed’.

Question 2

What is violence?

Answer 2

Aggression that has extreme physical harm.

Question 3

List 5 types of aggression.

Answer 3

1 - Hostile / impulsive aggression.

2 - Instrumental aggression.

3 - Proactive aggression.

4 - Reactive aggression.

5 - Relational aggression.

Question 4

Define hostile / impulsive aggression.

Answer 4

Aggression aimed solely at hurting another (excluding self-defence).

Question 5

Define instrumental aggression.

Answer 5

• Aggression used as a means to an end / goal.

- Often controlled, planned / premeditated.

Question 6

Define proactive and reactive aggression.

Answer 6

Reactive aggression is an impulsive and provoked, whereas proactive aggression is not.

Question 7

Define relational aggression.

Answer 7

Hostile aggression that does damage to another’s peer relationships.

Question 8

Give an example of two opposing theories for aggression.

Answer 8

The psychoanalytic theory (Freud) vs the social learning theory (Bandura). (nature vs nurture).

Question 9

What is the psychoanalytic theory in regards to aggression?

Answer 9

• Aggression is an innate drive (this is an ethological theory).
• When expression of natural (e.g. sexual) instincts are frustrated, an aggressive drive is induced.

Question 10

What is the social learning theory in regards to aggression?

Answer 10

Aggression is a learned response.

Question 11

What is the frustration-aggression hypothesis (a revised Berkowitz theory)?

Answer 11

• Aggression is a consequence of frustration.

- The existence of frustration always leads to some form of aggression.

Question 12

What is the aggressive cue theory (Berkowitz)?

Answer 12

• Frustration produces anger, which leads to aggression because frustration is psychologically painful, and anything that is psychologically or physically painful can lead to aggression.
• For psychological pain to be converted into aggression, cues are needed.

Question 13

What are Lorenz’s theories about aggression?

Answer 13

• Ethological perspective:
• Aggression is a fighting instinct inter- and intra-species.
• It is important in evolutionary development as it allows for successful reproduction by promoting dominance.

Question 14

What is Bandura’s social learning theory?

Answer 14

• Aggressive behaviours are affected by:

1 - Past learning.

2 - Current rewards and punishments.

3 - Social and environmental factors.

Question 15

According to Bandura’s social learning theory, how are aggressive behaviours learnt?

Answer 15

• Through observational learning.

- Through reinforcement and imitation of aggressive people / models.

Question 16

What is Anderson and Bushman’s general aggression model?

Answer 16

A framework for aggression that considers the role of social, cognitive, personality, developmental and biological factors on aggression.

Question 17

Define deindividuation.

Answer 17

• Certain group situations can minimise people’s identities, reduce their sense of public accountability and produce aggressive or unusual behaviour.
• e.g. group size (riots) or anonymity (electric shock experiment).

Question 18

Why might deindividuation not lead to aggressive behaviour?

Answer 18

Although personal identity might be reduced, deindividuation can enhance group identity.

• Deindividuation may increase identification with a non-aggressive personality, leading individuals to conform to perceived expected behaviour.

Question 19

List 5 factors that might explain individual differences in aggression.

Answer 19

1 - Self-esteem.

2 - Sensation-seeking.

3 - Impulsivity.

4 - Culture.

5 - Environment.

Question 20

How does aggression differ between men and women?

Answer 20

Generally, men display overt aggression whereas women display relational aggression.

Question 21

How do the health consequences of overt aggression differ between men and women?

Answer 21

• In men, overt aggression predicts increased alcohol use.

- In women, overt aggression predicts greater social anxiety, loneliness, depression and alcohol / drug use.

Question 22

Which 6 neuroanatomical areas are involved in aggression?

Answer 22

1 - Prefrontal areas, e.g. orbitofrontal cortex.

2 - Amygdala (greater volume = increased aggression!).

3 - Hippocampus.

4 - Hypothalamus.

5 - Anterior cingulate cortex.

6 - Insula.

Question 23

List 5 hormones and / or neuromodulators that are involved in aggression.

List the relative concentrations at which they tend to promote aggressive behaviours.

Answer 23

1 - Serotonin (low).

2 - Testosterone (high, before birth and in early childhood).

3 - Cortisol (low).

4 - Dopamine (high).

5 - Noradrenaline (high).

Question 24

List 4 ways in which brain functioning can affect aggression.

Answer 24

1 - Increased arousal interferes with ability to think.

2 - Decreased ability to inhibit impulses.

3 - Impairment of attention, concentration, memory and higher mental processes.

4 - Misinterpretation of external stimuli and events.

Question 25

Why might reduced GABA, enhanced glutamate and enhanced acetylcholine increase aggression?

Answer 25

Can lead to:

1 - Hyperactivity of amygdala.

2 - Emotional hypersensitivity.

Question 26

What is the MAOA gene?

Answer 26

• The ‘warrior gene’, a gene encoding the mitochondrial enzyme monoamine oxidase A.
• MAOA catalyses the oxidative deamination of amines such as dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin to deactivate them.

Question 27

What relevance might the MAOA gene have on aggression?

Answer 27

• A high activity MAOA gene has been shown to reduce aggression.
• High activity MAOA means more deamination / deactivation of e.g. dopamine and noradrenaline.

Question 28

What is Brunner syndrome?

Answer 28

• MAOA deficiency.

- Low IQ, impulsivity, hypersexuality, violenze.

Question 29

How do the amygdala and insula differ from the orbitofrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex in terms of their roles in aggression?

Answer 29

• The amygdala and insula act as the ‘bottom-up drive’ / trigger for aggression.
• The orbitofrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex act as the ‘top-down brakes’ / suppressors and regulators of aggression.

Question 30

List 7 warning signs of aggressive behaviour.

Answer 30

1 - Irritability.

2 - Fast speech.

3 - Restless pacing.

4 - Loud voice.

5 - Glaring eyes.

6 - Verbal threats.

7 - Intrusion into others’ personal space.