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Aggression & Violence

Aggression & Violence. How do we define Aggression/Violence?. Aggression: Any act or attitude of hostility toward another Violence: often acting on aggression, the use of physical force to inflict injury and/or damage Are aggression and violence always negative?

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Aggression & Violence

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  1. Aggression & Violence

  2. How do we define Aggression/Violence? • Aggression: Any act or attitude of hostility toward another • Violence: often acting on aggression, the use of physical force to inflict injury and/or damage • Are aggression and violence always negative? • Each may or may not be socially approved, depending on the context, see fig. 18.1 People in Perspective, p321

  3. Why do we feel aggression?Why do we act violently? • Numerous theories are attributed to why we feel and behave aggressively, and why we act violently. • These theories can be divided into the following fields • Biological • Psychological • Sociological

  4. Biological theories • Instinct: Some theorize that humans are aggressive and violent by nature • Suggest that our genetic code is characterized by the need for violence and aggression. Survival of the fittest? • Hormones: Aggression is linked to high levels of testosterone, a male hormone. • Testosterone increases the amount of adrenalinereleased by the body. • Adrenaline causes excitement and stimulates action • So, are males “naturally” more aggressive than females? What would you deduce based on this evidence?

  5. Psychological theories • Psychologists would suggest that we all have the potential for violence, however whether or not we act on our aggression depends on the individual • Outside factors in our environment influence our behaviour • Example: It’s freezing rain outside, you forgot your umbrella and you’re now soaked. How might this affect how you treat others and your surroundings?

  6. Sociological Factors • Sociologists believe that aggression and violence are the result of the interaction between individuals and certain factors in society • Our behaviour is dependant on issues of class, gender, power, living conditions, etc • We may act aggressively/violently because it is culturally acceptable to do so, or because certain factors in our culture lead us to behave in such fashion. • These are Cultural Expectations

  7. Sociological factors (cont.) • Consider the following factors, which are dependant upon the values and traditions of a given society or culture • Early training • Link between aggression and how children were raised • Influence of media • Does watching violent films stir up aggressive feelings? • Use of drugs/alcohol • Loss of inhibitions can lead to violent behaviour

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