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Chapter 4 - Aggression

Chapter 4 - Aggression. Topic 1 - Social psychological approaches to explaining aggression Social psychological theories of aggression Explanations of institutional aggression Topic 2 - Biological explanations of aggression The role of neural and hormonal mechanisms

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Chapter 4 - Aggression

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  1. Chapter 4 - Aggression Topic 1 - Social psychological approaches to explaining aggression Social psychological theories of aggression Explanations of institutional aggression Topic 2 - Biological explanations of aggression The role of neural and hormonal mechanisms The role of genetic factors Topic 3 - Aggression as an adaptive response Evolutionary explanations of human aggression Explanations of group display in humans 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

  2. Topic 1 - Social Psychological Approaches to Explaining Aggression • Social psychological theories of aggression • Explanations of institutional aggression 4 Aggression

  3. Social Psychological Explanations of Aggression Social Learning Theory • Direct and vicarious experience • Learning by direct experience (operant conditioning) • Learning by vicarious experience (observational learning) 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

  4. Reinforcement • The likelihood of a person behaving aggressively depends on • Previous experiences of aggressive behaviour • Reinforcement of past aggression • Likelihood that current aggression will be rewarded • Cognitive, social and environmental factors 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

  5. Research into Social Learning Theory • ‘Bobo doll’ experiments • Teaching effect (acquisition of behaviour) • Motivational effect (reproduction/performance of behaviour) 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

  6. Social Learning Theory Evaluation • Explains inconsistencies in aggressive behaviour • Explains cultural differences in aggressive behaviour • Social learning or biology as primary causal agent? 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

  7. Deindividuation • Individuated and deindividuated behaviour • Public and private self-awareness 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

  8. Research Related To Deindividuation • The Stanford Prison experiment (Zimbardo et al. 1973) • Deindividuation in mobs • The baiting crowd • The faceless crowd 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

  9. Deindividuation Evaluation • Deindividuation and pro-social behaviour • The role of anonymity • Social norms and behaviour • The Zimbardo et al. prison study • Deindividuation and football crowd violence 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

  10. Explanations of Institutional Aggression • Institutional aggression in prisons • The importation model • The deprivation model • The power of the situation and the effect of dehumanising labels 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

  11. Explanations of Institutional Aggression in Prisons Evaluation • Research support for the importation model • Limitations of the importation model • Research support for the deprivation model • Limitations of the deprivation model • Real life relevance 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

  12. Institutional Aggression in Initiation Rituals • Initiation rituals • Special rituals and requirements for new members of a group • Aim to create bond between members • Hazing – painful initiation rituals 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

  13. Explanations of Initiation Rituals Evaluation • Research support • Why is hasing effective? 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

  14. Check Your Understanding Psychological Approaches to Explaining Aggression • What is the difference between direct and vicarious reinforcement? • According to Social Learning Theory, the likelihood of a person behaving aggressively is determined by what four factors? • What conclusions can be drawn from the Bobo doll study concerning the imitation of aggression? • Explain two evaluative points concerning the social learning theory of aggression. • What is meant by ‘deindividuation’ in the context of aggression? What is the difference between ‘individuated’ and ‘deindividuated’ behaviour? 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

  15. Check Your Understanding Psychological Approaches to Explaining Aggression • What conclusions can be drawn from Zimbardo’s Stanford Prison Experiment concerning the causes of aggressive behaviour? • Explain two evaluative points concerning the deindividuation explanation of aggression. • Explain the difference between the importation and deprivation models of institutional aggression. • Explain two evaluative points concerning each of the importation and deprivation models of institutional aggression. • Outline what is meant by initiation rituals (including ‘hazing’) and provide one explanation for this phenomenon. • Explain two evaluative points concerning initiation rituals as a form of institutional aggression. 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

  16. Topic 2 - Biological Explanationsof Aggression • Role of neural and hormonal mechanisms • Role of genetic factors 4 Aggression

  17. Neural and Hormonal Mechanisms in Aggression • Neurotransmitters • Hormones 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

  18. Neurotransmitters • Chemical messengers that transmit nerve impulses • e.g. serotonin; dopamine • Negative correlation between serotonin and aggression • Positive correlation between dopamine and aggression 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

  19. Neural Mechanisms in Aggression Evaluation • Serotonin: alternative explanations • Alcohol, serotonin and aggressive behaviour • Research support • Why it is difficult to establish a link between dopamine and aggression 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

  20. Hormones • Chemicals that regulate and control bodily functions • e.g. testosterone; cortisol • Positive correlation between testosterone and aggression • Negative correlation between cortisol and aggression 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

  21. Hormonal Mechanisms in Aggression Evaluation • Inconsistent evidence on testosterone and aggression • The positive influence of testosterone • Research support for cortisol link • Lack of consistent research evidence 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

  22. Role of Genetic Factors in Aggressive Behaviour • Twin studies • Adoption studies 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

  23. Twin Studies • Support the role of genetic factors in aggression • Aggressive behaviour more highly correlated in MZ than in DZ twins 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

  24. Adoption Studies • Support the role of genetic factors in aggression • e.g. Danish study (Hutchings and Mednick, 1973) 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

  25. Twin and Adoption Studies Evaluation • The imperfect nature of twin studies • Gender differences in heritability • Problems with the interpretation of adoption studies 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

  26. Genes for Aggression • Candidate genes: DRD4 and DRD3 • Candidate gene for MAOA 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

  27. Genes for Aggression Evaluation • Genes for aggression do not predict aggressive behaviour • Positive implications of genetic research • Gene-environment interaction 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

  28. Check Your Understanding Biological Approaches to Explaining Aggression • Explain the main difference between the serotonin and dopamine explanations of aggression. • Explain two critical points concerning the serotonin and dopamine explanations of aggression. • Outline, in 50 words, the relationship between testosterone and aggression. 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

  29. Biological Approaches to Explaining Aggression Check Your Understanding • Explain three critical points concerning the relationship between hormones and aggression. • Outline the main conclusions that can be drawn from twin and adoption studies of aggression. • Explain three critical points concerning twin and adoption studies of aggression. 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

  30. Topic 3 - Aggression as an Adaptive Response • Evolutionary explanations of human aggression • Explanations of group display in humans 4 Aggression

  31. Evolutionary Explanations of Human Aggression • Concept of natural selection • Selection of ‘adaptive’ characteristics • Infidelity and jealousy • Cuckoldry and sexual jealousy • Mate retention and violence 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

  32. Infidelity and Jealousy as Explanations for Aggression Evaluation • Use of mate retention tactics • Research on sexual coercion • Practical applications of research 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

  33. The Evolution of Murder • Murder as an adaptive response • To prevent harm • To bolster reputation • To protect resources • Predisposing factors for murder • Sexual jealousy • Lack of resources • Threats to male status 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

  34. The Evolutionary Explanation of Murder Evaluation Comparative evidence The evolved goal hypothesis – an alternative explanation 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

  35. Evolutionary Explanations of Aggression Evaluation Limitations of explanation Cultural differences 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

  36. Evolutionary Explanations of Group Display in Humans Examples of group display: Lynch mobs Self directed aggression during religious and cultural displays 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

  37. Adaptive Explanations for Lynch Mobs • The power threat hypothesis • Dehumanisation 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

  38. Adaptive Explanations for Lynch Mobs Evaluation • The Power threat hypothesis • Evidence for dehumanisation • The role of deindividuation 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

  39. Adaptive Explanations for Religious/Cultural Displays • Religious display and cooperative gains • Costly signalling to deter free riders 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

  40. Adaptive Explanations of Religious/Cultural Displays Evaluation • Religious displays • Cultural rituals • The evolutionary approach 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

  41. Aggression as an Adaptive Response Check Your Understanding • Give three examples of mate retention strategies commonly used by human males. • Explain the relationship between cuckoldry, infidelity and sexual jealousy. • Explain two critical points concerning the infidelity/sexual jealousy explanation of aggression. • Give two reasons why murder might be an evolutionary adaptation. • Outline two situations in which murder has been shown to be an adaptive behaviour. 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

  42. Aggression as an Adaptive Response Check Your Understanding • Explain two critical points concerning the ‘murder as an adaptive behaviour’ explanation. • Outline two explanations of the behaviour of lynch mobs being an adaptive response. • Explain two critical points concerning the behaviour of lynch mobs. • What is meant by ‘costly signaling theory’ in the context of religious displays? • Explain two evaluative points concerning the ‘costly signaling theory’ of religious displays. 4 Aggression 4 Aggression

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