...Trait Theory and Aggression Abstract This paper reviews how trait theories account for anger and aggression and it provides an opinion on whether or not the anger management programs provided at San Quentin prison can be effective in changing offender's behaviors. Keywords: Trait Theory. Trait theory states that our personality traits, and our genetics can predispose us to crime. The theory states that some individuals are born criminal and can be identified by primitive physical traits. There are several theories that were developed early on. In this paper we will briefly discuss early studies in the field of criminal anthropology led by Cesare Lambroso. The content of this paper will then focus on psychological trait theories, and biosocial trait theories of crime. Lastly, this paper will provide my opinion on the video that was presented to us in this week's assignment, "Inside San Quentin – Anger Management Behind Bars", and the effectiveness of anger management programs provided to inmates in an attempt to control their anger and aggression. There are several studies that were conducted by many renowned scientists in the field of personality traits and how they account for anger, aggression, and criminality. The earliest research into criminality and psychological, as well as physical traits was conducted by Cesare Lambroso. Born in 18th century, Lambroso was an Italian university professor and a criminologist. His early...
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...Outline & evaluate one social-psychological theory of aggression One social-psychological theory of aggression is the social-learning theory. Bandura suggested that as well as being learnt through direct experience, aggressive behaviour can be learnt indirectly, through observation of others. If a person observes aggressive behaviour in a model, they may imitate their behaviour, especially if they identify with or admire the model. The observer forms a mental representation of the event, including the consequences (rewards or punishments) of the models behaviour. Vicarious reinforcement is when the model is rewarded, and this will increase the chance of the behaviour being repeated. In this way, children learn appropriate and effective ways to use certain behaviours. When a person imitates the behaviour, they gain direct experience. The outcome of aggressive behaviour will influence the value of aggression for a child. When a child is rewarded for behaviour, this is direct reinforcement, and will make them more likely to repeat the behaviour. A child develops confidence in their ability to use aggressive behaviour successfully. If they are unsuccessful, they will have lower self-efficacy, so will be less confident that they can use aggression successfully, and will turn to other behaviours. A strength of social learning theory is that it is supported by empirical evidence, for example Bandura’s Bobo doll studies. Children who were shown a video of an adult being aggressive...
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...Discuss one or more theories or studies on institutional aggression Institutional aggression refers to violent behaviour that exists within and can define institutions and groups. These institutions include distinct entities such as schools or prisons, or may be larger bodies such as the police or the armed forces. Sometimes the members of these institutions may adopt features of aggressive behaviour such as physical abuse of individuals. There has been a lot of research carried out particularly focusing on aggressive behaviour in prisons, leading to the development of two theories. The first theory is the importation model, proposed by Irwin and cressey. This explanation focuses on the characteristics that prisoners enter the institution with, and claims that those with certain values, attitudes and past experiences are more likely to engage in interpersonal violence than other inmates. The model therefore argues that violent or aggressive behaviour is not a product of the institution itself but rather the characteristics that individuals possess when they enter the institution. Younger inmates are are thought to find it more difficult adjusting to life in prison and are therefore more likely to have confrontations with other inmates and prison staff. They are also likely to view violence as an appropriate response to conflicts. Research evidence supporting this theory includes Harer and Steffensmeier’s study, finding that in US prisons, black inmates were significantly more...
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...Outline & evaluate one social-psychological theory of aggression One social-psychological theory of aggression is the social-learning theory. Bandura suggested that as well as being learnt through direct experience, aggressive behaviour can be learnt indirectly, through observation of others. If a person observes aggressive behaviour in a model, they may imitate their behaviour, especially if they identify with or admire the model. The observer forms a mental representation of the event, including the consequences (rewards or punishments) of the models behaviour. Vicarious reinforcement is when the model is rewarded, and this will increase the chance of the behaviour being repeated. In this way, children learn appropriate and effective ways to use certain behaviours. When a person imitates the behaviour, they gain direct experience. The outcome of aggressive behaviour will influence the value of aggression for a child. When a child is rewarded for behaviour, this is direct reinforcement, and will make them more likely to repeat the behaviour. A child develops confidence in their ability to use aggressive behaviour successfully. If they are unsuccessful, they will have lower self-efficacy, so will be less confident that they can use aggression successfully, and will turn to other behaviours. A strength of social learning theory is that it is supported by empirical evidence, for example Bandura’s Bobo doll studies. Children who were shown a video of an adult being aggressive...
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...Deindividuation is the process whereby people lose their sense of individual identity and engage in unsociable, often antisocial behavior. Anonymity is a key concept, where people are likely to behave aggressively because of the loss of sense of individuality. Deiner stated it occurs when; self-awareness is blocked by environmental factors, there is a reduced need for social approval, there is a reduction in rational thinking and a decrease in inhibition. This suggests that collective behavior of violent crowds, mindless hooligans and social atrocities such as genocide can be explained by the deindividuation theory. To a large extent, deindividuation theory is based on the classic crowd theory of Le Bon (1895), were he recognized how behavior changed in a crowded situation. Le Bon suggested that a collective mind-set takes over and people start to act as one, as individual submerge and lose self-control. This suggests that the individual reduces its own morals and takes aboard morals of the group. Zimbardo further developed this idea, by emphasizing the importance of anonymity, as the release from internal restrains, produces emotional, impulsive and irrational behavior. Zimbardo supported his argument by carrying out an experiment on groups of four female undergraduates, where they were required to deliver electric shocks to another student to ‘aid learning’. Half of the ps wore hoods over there face and were never referred to by name, whereas the other half wore normal clothes...
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...Tahreem Naz Outline one social psychological theory of aggression Aggression is an act that is carried out with the intention to harm another person and is viewed as one of the most disturbing forms of human social behaviour. Some psychologists believe that aggression is a legacy of our evolutionary ancestry, while others might believe it is best explained by the ‘social learning theory’. One of the most powerful sources of learning behaviour is imitative learning where we learn from observing others and imitating their actions. This is clearly shown in Bandura’s (1961) study, which involved children observing aggressive and non-aggressive adult models and then being tested for imitative learning in the absence of the model. Children in the aggressive condition reproduced a good deal of physically and verbally aggressive behaviour resembling that of the model, whilst the children in the non-aggressive condition exhibited virtually no aggression towards the bobo doll. In addition, the boys reproduced more imitative physical aggression than girls, but they did not differ in there imitations of verbal aggression. The boys showed more aggressive behaviour when the adult model was the same-sex which suggests that behaviour is likely to be imitative when the role model is not the same gender. Furthermore, according to social learning theory theorists, if behaviour is to be imitated it must be seen rewarding in some way. Bandura and Walters (1963) found that children who...
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...The Nature and Nurture of Aggression OUTLINE: * Theories of Aggression * Psychological Influences on Aggression * Environmental Influences on Aggression * Reducing Aggression * A social Learning Approach * Cultural Change & World Violence Aggression – physical or verbal behavior intended to cause harm * kicks and slaps, threats and insults, gossip or snide “digs” (online bullying) Instrumental Aggression – aims to injure too – but only as a means to some other end. * Terrorism – a strategic tool used during conflict; attaining hero or martyr status. * Wars – an instrumental act of liberation and of self defense against presumed weapons of mass destruction. * Bully – seeks to demonstrate their dominance and high status. Theories of Agression * Agression an Instinct Is Aggression an Instinct? Aggressive energy is instinctive; if not discharged, it supposedly builds up until it explodes or until an appropriate stimulus releases it. * Mouse releasing a mousetrap * Neural Influences Researchers have found neural systems (specific areas of the brain) when stimulated produce aggression. * Amygdala * Prefrontal cortex * Genetic Influences Heredity influences the neural system's sensitivity to aggressive cues. Aggressiveness also varies among individuals. * Blood Chemistry Influences neural sensitivity to aggressive stimulation. * ALCOHOL – enhances aggressiveness...
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...WHY ARE INDIVIDUALS AGGRESSIVE?Aggression is difficult to define, it is a complex phenomenon, and depending upon the context the term can be made to carry either positive or negative connotations, it can be attacking behaviour that may be either self-protective and self-assertive or to the infliction of injury toward oneself or toward others, to the total destruction of others. Is aggression biological determined or the product of learning and environmental influences.? This essay, will consider instinctive theory, the frustration - aggression hypothesis, and social learning theory. It should then be possible to draw a conclusion to see if any or all of the theories discussed are the cause of aggression. Brain disorders, hormonal and chemical imbalances, environmental factors, such as heat, noise, air pollution and overcrowding, although contribute to the causes of aggression will not be discussed during the course of this essay. No universally adopted definition of aggression exists, for the purpose of this discussion, the definition of Gross will be used.Gross defines aggression as :- "The intentional infliction of some form of harm on others" (Gross page 444)Freud proposed that aggression is an instinctive biological urge. According to Freud this instinct, is made up of the libido (pleasure) and "Thanatos" (the death wish) (pain). This basic instinct is present in the Id from birth, at first the aggression is relatively uncontrolled, but with the development of the Ego and...
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...Introduction to Social Psychology Course Code: PSYC 1004 Lecture Topic: Aggression Aggression Baron and Branscombe define aggression as “behaviour directed toward the goal of harming another living being who is motivated to avoid such treatment” (Baron & Branscombe, 2012). * Violence: “an extreme form of aggression, such as assaults, rape or murder” (). Types of Aggression * Instrumental aggression – aggression aimed at accomplishing a goal * Hostile aggression – aim of the aggression is to inflict harm * Indirect aggression – aggressive is not face to face * Direct aggression – aggressive act is face to face Theories of Aggression Instinct Theory: Through evolution, humans have inherited a fighting instinct similar to that found in many species of animals. Social Learning Theory: Human aggression is largely learned by watching other people behave aggressively, either in person or in films. It is also learned when we are rewarded for aggression. Frustration-Aggression Hypothesis: Our motivation for aggression increases when our ongoing behavior is interrupted or we are prevented from reaching a goal. Negative Affect Theory: Proposed by Leonard Berkowitz, it states that negative feelings and experiences are the main cause of anger and angry aggression. Sources of anger include: pain, frustration, loud noise, foul odours, crowding, sadness, and depression. Aggression as Biology Neural influences - electrical stimulation of the amygdala...
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...Aggression and Violence in Sports Abstract Aggression and violence Violence in Sports Violence and aggression have always gone hand in hand with sports. Even sports in ancient Greece were based on malicious warrior sports like chariot racing, wrestling, and boxing (Coakley, 2009). Death matches were a regular with the Mayans and Aztecs. During the medieval times tournaments were created for war training and often the end result was death. Extreme violence was common in sports the same way it is common in today’s sports world. This quote by Lynn Jamieson, associate professor at Indiana University describes the acceptance of violence in sports: "Sport tends to reflect society, and we live in a violent era," she said. "We have a violent society where people use violence to solve problems instead of using other means." Eric Dunning (1999) notes that violence still exists in the modern day sports because their goal is to “create tension rather than relieve or discharge it.” Aggression and violence are often confused as being the same thing. Aggression is “an intentional behavior aimed at causing either physical or psychological pain” (Lee, 2009, p. 78). Violence is “the use of excessive physical force, which causes or has obvious potential to cause harm or destruction” (Coakley, 2009, p. 196). Many people associate violence with actions that are illegal or unsanctioned, but in some societies violence is encouraged and a part of life. Aggression often involves violence...
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...group displays of aggression believes that humans display aggression in groups in order to gain access to resources; likely resources gained through group displays of aggression include land, women and money. The acquisition of these resources is important for the survival of a group and to ensure the continued existence of future generations in terms of reproduction. This explanation also argues that group displays of aggression towards potential threats are one of the best ways in which to secure the resources which are much desired by groups. Aggression as a group of humans on an individual in another territory is a low-risk strategy in order to gain more resources, more food, more females and more offspring, thereby passing more genes onto the next generation (in line with Darwinian evolution). Group displays of aggression may occur due to xenophobia - also known as the threat of the unknown. It is evolutionarily advantageous to be wary of something unknown and to display aggression when faced with something which could potentially be a threat to our survival and/or reproduction. Aggression displayed as a direct result of xenophobia would ensure that the group is protected and would send a signal to other potentially threatening out-groups that the in-group is prepared to defend itself. Again, this would have the direct benefit of increasing the chance of survival and future reproduction of all members of the group. Displays of group aggression can be seen in sporting...
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...Discuss the role of neural and hormonal mechanisms in aggression. (24 marks) Testosterone is a hormone produced in the male testes and in female ovaries however males produce 10 times more than females. Testosterone has been linked to aggression and as it plays a part in increased muscle and bone mass, this suggests that it plays a structural role in influencing aggression. Testosterone has been shown to correlate with the level of aggression displayed by humans and animals. For example when levels of testosterone peak around the start of puberty there is also a corresponding level of aggression displayed in young males during this time. Testosterone modulates levels of various neurotransmitters that mediate effects on aggression. There seems to be a critical period early in life, where exposure to testosterone is essential to elicit aggression in adulthood. It is though testosterone helps sensitise androgen responsive system. There have been many experiments done to see the effects of adding and removing testosterone. All of which have been performed on animals due to methodological and ethical issues with testing on humans. It was found that male mice that are castrated at birth showed a decreased level of aggression. These findings were also supported by similar studies involving different species fo animals and so it is not solely specific to mice. Although castration research can be useful, castration disrupts other hormone systems as well as testosterone and os these...
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...Introduction Introduction Outline and evaluate the role of genetic factors in aggressive behaviour (5+16 marks) Moghaddom (1998) distinguishes between explanations of aggression which are normative, and those which are causal. Causal explanations, as in this case, suggest aggression is determined by particular factors e.g. genes and are usually biological explanations. The genetic explanation of aggression suggests that it is influenced through our genes, and that such behaviour is therefore inherited. Para 1 A01 Para 1 A01 It is thought that aggression is due to a defective gene that is inherited by following generations. One possible gene is the Monoamine Oxidase A gene, which produces Monoamine Oxidase A enzyme that breaks down neurotransmitters associated with aggression. It is thought that a build-up of serotonin and dopamine can cause an individual to act aggressively to stress in the fight or flight response. There are two forms of the gene, MAOA-H (produces a high level of the enzyme) and MAOA-L (produces a low amount of the enzyme). The presence of the MAOA-L gene is related to an increase likelihood of aggression. One third of people in Western countries have the MAOA-L gene, compared to two thirds in countries with a history of warfare; leading the gene to be dubbed with the term “warrior gene”. Para 2 A02 Para 2 A02 Research to support the role of the MAOA gene comes from Cases et al who disabled the gene in the X chromosome of mice. As no enzyme was produced...
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...Introduction Is human aggression learned? Was the cruelty that led to the offenses committed by our grandparents in World War II in their genes? Or did Hitler and the Nazis use the moment of the huge economic crisis and great shame of Germany after the Treaty of Versailles to integrate power, shut down the conflict, and through mass propaganda persuade German people to follow them in their achievement of Europe and the greater Third Reich? In this research paper, I will give an imperative assessment of the extent to which human beings are learned towards aggression, or conditioned for aggression by their environment. My goal is to present evidence that will show that humans are not biologically or inherently aggressive, but the aggression is something that is learned from everyday life experience. The first part of the paper will present theories and evidence that punctuate biological factors as the main causes of aggression in humans. The second part will present theories and evidence that demand that “aggression and hostility are diseases of development,” as Buss (1961: 190) puts it, and are affected by the external environment. Aggression in Human Beings Aggression is defined as physical or verbal behavior intended to harm. Aggression can either be ordered inside by self-mutilation or self-murder, or ordered apparently at another person. There are many things that human aggression has been blamed on, including broken homes, discrimination, poverty, chemical inequalities...
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...Aggression: Biological or Learned? Abstract Aggression is any hostile behavior by an individual person that inflicts physical or psychological damage onto another individual. It can take on a physical form, such as physical acts of violence. It can also take on psychological forms, such as verbal threats or verbal abuse. There are many different theories which aim to explain how aggressive personalities are developed. Theorists who adhere to the Biological Approach to Personality believe that genetics play a large part. They argue that there are biological indicators which make certain people more prone to aggressive personalities. They argue that aggression is not necessarily inherited, but certain predispositions pared with certain factors in an individual’s upbringing can spawn aggressive adults. Theorists such as Albert Bandura believe that personality characteristics such as aggression are learned. According to the Behavioral/Social Learning Approach to Personality, individual personalities are developed through observation and experience. Specifically, aggressive personalities are learned much like other behaviors are learned as a child grows and experiences different things.Research has shows that children predisposed to violence and aggression grow up to be aggressive adults. Aggression, as defined by Merriam-Webster is “a forceful action or procedure (as an unprovoked attack) especially when intended to dominate or master” (Aggression, 2012). It is “hostile...
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