Premium Essay

Psychology of Aggression & Violence

In: Philosophy and Psychology

Submitted By BLesnar
Words 927
Pages 4
Psychology of Aggression & Violence:
Aggression: Behavior perpetrated or attempted with the intention of harming another individual physically or psychologically or to destroy an object.
Violence: Actual, attempted, or threatened physical harm that is deliberate and non-consenting: * Includes violence against victims who cannot give full, informed consent * Includes fear-inducing behavior, where threats may be implicit or directed at third parties Types of Aggression:
Hostile (or expressive) aggression: Occurs in response to anger-inducing conditions, such as real or perceived insults, physical attacks, or one’s own failures. (Goal = to make victim suffer. Intense and disorganized emotion)
Instrumental aggression: Begins with competition or the desire for some object or status possessed by another person. Goal = obtain desired object. No intent to harm, although indifferent.
Violence as a Choice:
The proximal cause of violence is a decision to act violently .The decision is influenced by a host of biological, psychological, and social factors .Neurological insult, hormonal abnormality, psychosis, personality disorder, exposure to violent models, attitudes that condone violence.
Cognitive Models of Aggression:
Most research supports the notion that human aggression is primarily learned (early learning and socialization).
Hostile attribution bias: Individual’s prone to violence are more likely to interpret ambiguous actions as hostile and threatening
Cognitive Self-Regulation and Violence:
Self-regulatory mechanisms - (Social learning and social cognition theory).Weak cognitive control can facilitate impulsive actions, thus in certain circumstances our actions are directed by external situation instead of cognitive.
Theoretical Perspectives on Aggression:
Frustration-aggression hypothesis: 1) The person is blocked from obtaining an

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Violence in Sports

...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...

Words: 2344 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Violence in Video Games

...Violence in Video Games: Examining Violence and Competitiveness as Predictors of Verbal Aggressiveness Sean D. Badeer, Kathrine L. Lukes, Sarah A. Oltjenbruns, & Sergio D. Orozco Wayne State College Wayne, NE April 11, 2013 Abstract Violence in video games is the topic of much debate and controversy in the public arena. For this reason, it has been a heavily researched topic in areas of psychology and communication (Jeong, Biocca & Bohil, 2012). Much of the research on the topic examines the relationship between the violence in video games and aggression. However, despite the large community of research on the topic, researchers in communication have yet to examine the relationship between video game competitiveness and verbal aggression. Competiveness is a factor that must be considered if there is to be an accurate depiction of the impact of video games on aggressiveness (Adachi and Willoughby, 2011). The purpose of this study is to examine the impacts of competitiveness and violence in video games on verbal aggressiveness. Furthermore, this study examines the relationship between verbal aggressiveness and attitudes toward violence. In the results of the study, the correlation between competitiveness and verbal aggressiveness was found to be significant. The correlation between video game violence and verbal aggressiveness was not significant. Furthermore, no significant correlation was...

Words: 2633 - Pages: 11

Free Essay

Psychology

...PSYCHOLOGY AND LIFE After reading this chapter, you would be able to: understand how psychology can be applied to common problems in our lives, appreciate the relationship between human beings and the environment, analyse how pro-environmental behaviour helps to deal with environmental stressors, explain the causes and consequences of social problems from a psychological perspective, and learn about the possible remedies of problems such as poverty, aggression, and health. CONTENTS Introduction Human-Environment Relationship Different Views of the Human-Environment Relationship The Bishnois and the Chipko Movement (Box 8.1) Environmental Effects on Human Behaviour Human Influence on the Environment Noise Pollution Crowding Natural Disasters Promoting Pro-environmental Behaviour Psychology and Social Concerns Poverty and Discrimination Aggression, Violence, and Peace Key Terms Mahatma Gandhi on Non-violence : Why Does Summary Non-violence Work (Box 8.2) Review Questions Health Project Ideas Impact of Television on Behaviour Weblinks Pedagogical Hints 152 Psychology Introduction In the previous two chapters, you read about some topics related to social behaviour and groups. We will now reflect on a set of social concerns with a wider scope, which are linked to each other and involve psychological aspects. These issues have to be understood and resolved at the level of the community rather than the individual. It is now known that besides affecting our physical...

Words: 12784 - Pages: 52

Premium Essay

Social Psych

...814002322 Course title: 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...

Words: 344 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Media Violence, Video Games and Aggression

...Media Violence and Violent Video Games: The Cause for Aggression – Yes or No? Kimberly Fitzgerald-Amend PSYC3520-Introduction to Social Psychology u10a1-Opposing Viewpoints in Social Psychology Capella University March 2013 Abstract Everyone, at one point or another, may display aggressive behavior. Where did this behavior come from? This paper will discuss opposing viewpoints on the role of media violence and video games in the development of aggressive behavior. Included herein will be a brief overview of Albert Bandura’s “Social Learning Theory”; a discussion of media violence and violent video games and their possible roles in the development of aggression; and the ethical viewpoints on violence in the media. This paper will conclude with an overview of all presented information. Media Violence and Violent Video Games: The Cause for Aggression – Yes or No? It is a beautiful, sunny summer afternoon and spending a few hours at the park seems like a great way to enjoy it. However, only a few minutes into it, Tommy pushes Sara off the swing and now going to the park does not seem to have been the best choice. Why did Tommy do this? What causes children to act aggressively? Is it because shortly before coming to the park Tommy played a violent video game; or maybe on his way out he passed through the room where his father was watching a breaking news story about a murder victim? The role the media and/or violent video games play in the development of...

Words: 2069 - Pages: 9

Free Essay

Work

...Introduction Aggression is behavior that is forceful, hostile or attacking. It is an intention to cause harm or an act intended to increase relative social dominance.  Workplace aggression is any act of aggression, physical assault, threatening or coercive behavior that causes physical or emotional harm in a work setting (Rai, 2002). Aggression at workplace can also be to show or as a result of dissatisfaction and disapproval to other’s action. Violence is defined by the World Health Organization as the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against a person, or against a group or community that either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, mal-development or deprivation. Workplace violence is an action or incident that physically or psychologically harms another person. It includes situations where employees and other people are threatened, attacked or physically assaulted at work (Department of Health, 2004). It ranges from threats and verbal abuse to physical assaults and even homicide. It can affect and involve employees, clients, customers and visitors. Violence is aggression; however aggression does not necessarily imply violence. When people talk about workplace violence they may be referring to a range of hostile acts – from threats and intimidation to homicide.. Workplace aggression includes violent acts as well as nonviolent acts such as harassment, intimidation, and threats that create...

Words: 2952 - Pages: 12

Premium Essay

Aggression and Violence in the Inner City Effects of Environment Via Mental Fatigue

...Kuo, Sullivan / AGGRESSION AND / July 2001 ENVIRONMENT AND BEHAVIOR VIOLENCE AGGRESSION AND VIOLENCE IN THE INNER CITY Effects of Environment via Mental Fatigue FRANCES E. KUO is an assistant professor at the University of Illinois, UrbanaChampaign. Her research examines effects of the environment on healthy human functioning in individuals, families, and communities. WILLIAM C. SULLIVAN is an associate professor at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. His research focuses on the psychological and social benefits of urban nature and citizen participation in environmental decision making. ABSTRACT: S. Kaplan suggested that one outcome of mental fatigue may be an increased propensity for outbursts of anger and even violence. If so, contact with nature, which appears to mitigate mental fatigue, may reduce aggression and violence. This study investigated that possibility in a setting and population with relatively high rates of aggression: inner-city urban public housing residents. Levels of aggression were compared for 145 urban public housing residents randomly assigned to buildings with varying levels of nearby nature (trees and grass). Attentional functioning was assessed as an index of mental fatigue. Residents living in relatively barren buildings reported more aggression and violence than did their counterparts in greener buildings. Moreover, levels of mental fatigue were higher in barren buildings, and aggression accompanied mental fatigue. Tests for the...

Words: 11648 - Pages: 47

Premium Essay

Are Humans Naturally Violent?

...generations of scientists have debated whether human aggression and violence is learned or innate, Brain (pp. 9, 1985) most likely summarizes the best and shortest answer to this question by stating that Human violence is too complicated to be interpreted in simple terms”. Empirical data and theories from both sides will be presented in this essay which will illustrate that while humans are genetically equipped to be violent and in some cases even have a genetic predisposition towards violence, social factors play key role in facilitating and enhancing aggressive behavior or suppressing and inhibiting it. Cesar Lombroso in the 20th century claimed that long arms, jutting chins and sloping foreheads were signs of born criminals, while Sigmund Freud (1930) later claimed that the drive to aggress is rooted deep in the psyche, independent of circumstances and as a result people have an innate need to inflict harm which must be satisfied periodically. A similar catharsis view was held by Lorenz (1963) who suggested that aggression being a natural instinct that accumulates over time especially in response to environmental stress, needs to be periodically released much like the periodic orgasm that helps diminish sex drive. In the 1960’s some scientists proposed that men who carried an XYY chromosome pattern were predisposed to become criminals (Ramirez, 1996). These were some of the early views on the innate nature of aggression and violence. Recent studies conducted on rats that focus on...

Words: 1988 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Violence in Egypt

...Violence in Egypt Violence is the result of a combination of biological, social, and psychological factors (Firestone, 2012). Following the ouster of president Mohamed Morsi in Egypt, violence has been increasing dramatically all over the country; thousands of people have died. Pro-Morsi supporters and other Islamist are threatening Egypt’s national security by performing terrorist acts within the country. The military and police forces are doing their best to decrease these terrorist acts yet innocent civilians are being killed everyday. Meanwhile violence is affecting Egypt’s financial stability, the economy, safety and tourism. This issue became a main societal problem that Egypt is facing during its modern times. Even the Bedouins of Sinai have been suffering from severe state repression and have been posed as a security threat to the rest of the country (Mandour, 2014). Almost every year you hear a story of a church being bombed. There are many physiological solutions that can decrease violence acts within the country, there is nothing known in this world to be hopeless especially to psychologists. The media has to start finding efficient and effective solutions with social psychologist rather than projecting the responsibilities on officials. There are many innocent people that are between those violent people, thus the military or police are unable to use full power against them. It is very important to recognize the main issue behind the violence in Egypt. Male aggression...

Words: 1323 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Annotated Bibliography Paper Assignment

...Annotated bibliography PSYC101 Stephanie Adams Jong hwan, Kim 30/07/2013 PERSONALITY TRAIT : Aggression Article 1, “Apparent motives for aggression in the social context of the bar” There are four types of motivation that aggression could be appeared. Compliance, grievance, identity, and excitement motivation could be indicated when aggression is used in response to unfair or perceived offensive behavior. After excluding incidents, where motives could not be coded or only staffs were aggressive, 1507 people had an experiment. For both men and women, compliance was negatively related with all other motives when grievance was positively connected with identity and negatively associated with excitement. Identity was positively associated with excitement for women but negatively associated for men. There were gender differences in motives. Men scored higher on identity and excitement, when women scored higher than did men on compliance and grievance. Women were more likely to have compliance as a primary motivation. There was also association of motives with escalation. Of these engaging in two or more aggressive acts, the later acts were more aggressive than first acts at the same level of aggression. Moreover, there was association of motives with severity of aggression. The coefficients from multilevel bivariate linear regression of severity on each motive with separate models for men and women and for the first or only act and for the second act. ...

Words: 1756 - Pages: 8

Free Essay

Aggrsive Behavior

...bs_bs_banner Journal of Applied Social Psychology 2013, 43, pp. 1862–1868 The changing face of aggression: the effect of personalized avatars in a violent video game on levels of aggressive behavior Jack Hollingdale1, Tobias Greitemeyer2 1 2 University of Sussex, UK University of Innsbruck, Austria Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Jack Hollingdale, University of Sussex, Pevensey Building, Brighton, BN1 9RH, UK. E-mail: j.hollingdale@sussex.ac.uk doi: 10.1111/jasp.12148 Abstract Video game developments allow players to design their own personalized avatars. Previous research has shown that this capability increases levels of aggression within socially acceptable forms of violence. Using the general aggression model (GAM), the current study examined the effect of avatar personalization on behavioral aggression within a violent video game. Participants who played a violent video game and designed their own avatars were significantly more aggressive than those who played the same violent video game with a generic avatar, and were also more aggressive than those who played the nonviolent video game, regardless of whether or not they designed their own personalized characters. Limitations and directions for future research are discussed. Games present opportunities to behave in ways that are exhilaratingly wicked and dangerous—out of reach in real life. Freedom from consequences, and hence a feeling of escaping, is...

Words: 5200 - Pages: 21

Premium Essay

Violent Media’s Effects on Youths

...Violent media’s effects on youths According to Smith and Wilson (Smith., 1997; Wilson., 1997), the National Television Violence Study, a three-year assessment of more than 3000 programs a year, found out that “60 percent of programs across twenty-six channels contain some physical aggressions”. Some points of view believe that there are connections between media violence and violent behaviour. However, other people don’t think so. This essay will argue that violence in the media is one of the main causes of increasing violent behaviour among youths because children learn behaviours from the media, youth who watch violent TV programs become more aggressive and they show less sympathy for other people. First of all, children may learn violent behaviours via media. According to Social Cognitive Theory (Bandura, 1986), children learn ideas, values, emotions and even behaviours by observing others in their social environment. They tend to imitate observed behaviours that are rewarded than those that are punished. For example, they are more likely to mimic hero characters in the movies or games that usually use violence to solve the problems. These characters always get rewarded for their actions. This kind of scenario has become too common and Rowell Huesmann (1986) stated that children might learn from it and develop it into a script, a solution for every problem. Furthermore, there are researches that show children can imitate and reproduce the violent actions for eight months...

Words: 915 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Violence

...Ethics in Media Violence Tatiana Y Craft Social Psychology Opposing View Points in Social Psychology Capella University September, 2013 Introduction There are always been violence in our world from ancient times when cavemen fought with tribes who came into their domain, the crusades in the 11-13 centuries, to the Iraq war in current days. At what point do we decide what violence is and is not, at what point do we decide what is better for our children to see, violence on television or video games and movies. We see in the news all the time reports about children shooting up schools, like Columbine, and Sandy Brook elementary. In both cases the media and video games were to blame for these tragedies, people have always been tied in their thoughts about why these things happen. At what point do we take responsibility for the way we raise our children? And at what point do we stop the media from depicting horrible images that may cause harm to our children? The Studies on Violence Several theoretical models describe the psychological mechanisms through which media violence can influence later behavior. Fundamentally, the psychological process all rely on learning. With repeated exposure to media violence, one can guess that one will be more aggressive. Many studies have been done the effects of media violence and videos games on the young human mind. Most of the studies done show that after time of playing violent video games many children’s aggressive...

Words: 1266 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Media Violencea and Its Effects on Children

...Aggression and Violent Behavior 10 (2004) 99 – 128 Does viewing violent media really cause criminal violence? A methodological review Joanne Savage* Department of Justice, Law and Society, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20016-8043, USA Received 9 September 2002; received in revised form 26 October 2003; accepted 30 October 2003 Abstract The topic of media violence has been the subject of heated debate in recent decades. There is a vast empirical literature on the effects of television on aggression but no published comprehensive review has ever focused on those studies that use criminal aggression as their outcome. The present paper represents an attempt to fill this void and provide a resource for those who do not wish to delve into four decades of original research in order to assess this line of investigation. Studies are evaluated based on contemporary standards of research in the field of criminology. Although the possibility that television and film violence has an impact on violent criminality remains, it is concluded here that, despite persistent published reviews that state the contrary, the body of published, empirical evidence on this topic does not establish that viewing violent portrayals causes crime. D 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Keywords: Television violence; Media violence; Violent crime 1. Introduction A vast empirical literature on the impact of television exposure on aggression has accrued over the...

Words: 15854 - Pages: 64

Premium Essay

Gentile.Anderson2003.Pdf

...Media Violence and Children CHAPTER 7 Violent Video Games: The A COMPLETE GUIDE FOR PARENTS AND Newest Media Violence Hazard PROFESSIONALS Douglas A. Gentile and Craig A. Anderson Hazard Edited by Douglas A. Gentile In creating this electronic reprint, we have attempted to keep the style, pagination, and format as close to the published form as possible. Nonetheless, some errors may have occurred. If you discover a substantial error, please contact Craig Anderson using the following email address: caa@iastate.edu. Please note that this electronic reprint is provided as a courtesy. Please do not post or distribute this reprint in any fashion that may violate the copyright of the original publisher or the authors. Thank you for your interest in this work. In 1972, a new form of entertainment became commercially available with the release of the video game Pong. In Pong, two players tried to "hit" an electronic "ball" back and forth. From these humble beginnings, a revolution in the entertainment industry was born. Interactive game revenues are now significantly greater than the domestic film industry ("Industrial Strengths," 2000). Worldwide video games sales are now at $20 billion annually (Cohen, 2000). The PlayStation video game console, which began as a side project at Sony, now represents $6 billion of the company's $20 billion in annual sales (Cohen, 2000). It is reasonable to question whether video games may have similar effects...

Words: 11640 - Pages: 47