AGGRESSION
CHAPTER 8
AGGRESSION
In psychology, the term aggression refers to a range of behaviors that can result in
both physical and psychological harm to yourself, others, or objects in the
environment. This type of behavior centers on harming another person either
physically or mentally. It can be a sign of an underlying mental health disorder,
a substance use disorder, or a medical disorder.
FORMS OF AGGRESSION
Aggression can take a variety of forms, including:
Physical
Verbal
Mental
Emotional
While we often think of aggression as purely in physical forms such as hitting or pushing, psychological
aggression can also be very [Link] or verbally criticizing another person, are examples
of verbal, mental, and emotional aggression.
PURPOSES OF AGGRESSION
Aggression can serve a number of different purposes, including:
To express anger or hostility
To assert dominance
To intimidate or threaten
To achieve a goal
To express possession
A response to fear
A reaction to pain
To compete with others
TYPES OF AGGRESSION
Psychologists distinguish between two different types of aggression:
Impulsive Aggression: Also known as affective aggression, impulsive aggression is
characterized by strong emotions, usually [Link] form of aggression is not
planned and often takes place in the heat of the moment. When another car cuts you
off in traffic and you begin yelling and berating the other driver, you're experiencing
impulsive aggression. Research suggests that impulsive aggression, especially when it's
caused by anger, triggers the acute threat response system in the brain, involving the
amygdala, hypothalamus, and periaqueductal gray (PAG).
Instrumental Aggression: Also known as predatory aggression, instrumental
aggression is marked by behaviors that are intended to achieve a larger goal.
Instrumental aggression is often carefully planned and usually exists as a means to an
end. Hurting another person in a robbery or car-jacking is an example of this type of
[Link] aggressor's goal is to obtain money or a vehicle, and harming another
individual is the means to achieve that aim.
FACTORS THAT CAN INFLUENCE AGGRESSION
A number of different factors can influence the expression of aggression,
including:
Biological Factors: Men are more likely than women to engage in
physical aggression. While researchers have found that women are less
likely to engage in physical aggression, they also suggest that women do
use non-physical forms, such as verbal aggression, relational aggression,
and social rejection.
Environmental Factors: How you were raised may play a role. People who grow
up witnessing more forms of aggression are more likely to believe that such violence
and hostility are socially acceptable. Bandura's famous Bobo doll
experiment demonstrated that observation can also play a role in how aggression is
learned. Children who watched a video clip where an adult model behaved
aggressively toward a Bobo doll were more likely to imitate those actions when given
the opportunity.
Physical Factors: Epilepsy, dementia, psychosis, alcohol abuse, drug use, and brain
injuries or abnormalities can also influence aggression.
LUCIFER EFFECT
The Lucifer effect describes the point in time when an ordinary, normal person first crosses
the boundary between good and evil to engage in an evil action. This term was coined by the
psychologist Phillip Zimbardo who conducted the famous Stanford Prison experiments in
which normal people were grouped as 'prisoners' or 'guards'.
Within a short amount of time the guards became extremely aggressive towards the
prisoners, so much that the experiment had to be shortened due to the severity of their
treatment. The Lucifer effect describes when a situation turns normal 'good' people into
perpetuators of immoral or 'evil' behaviors. The name comes from the mythological story
that Lucifer was a good angel who became evil and was expelled for his actions.
BULLYING
Bullying is aggressive behavior in which there is an imbalance of power or strength.
Usually, bullying is repeated over time. Bullying behaviors may be direct (e.g., hitting,
kicking, taunting, name calling) or indirect (e.g., rumor spreading, social exclusion,
manipulation of friendships, cyberbullying). Although adults may tend to view bullying
as an aggressive exchange between two individuals (a child who bullies and his or her
victim), it is more accurately understood as a group phenomenon, in which children
may play a variety of roles as aggressors, victims, observers, and defenders.