Chapter 10 Hurting Others Why We Become Aggressive 1 27 11 1 11 AM 12 05 2012 Learning Objectives Aggression is a word that we use every day to characterize the behavior of others and perhaps even of ourselves Social psychologists define aggression as behavior that is intended to harm another individual who does not wish to be harmed Social psychologists use the term violence to refer to aggression that has extreme physical harm such as injury or death as its goal Emotional or impulsive aggression refers to aggression that occurs with only a small amount of forethought or intent and which is determined primarily by impulsive emotions Emotional aggression is the result of the extreme negative emotions we re experiencing at the time that we aggress and is not really intended to create any positive outcomes intentional and planned Instrumental or cognitive aggression on other hand is aggression that is Physical aggression is aggression that involves harming others physically for instance hitting kicking stabbing or shooting them Non physical aggression is aggression that does not involve physical harm Non physical aggression includes verbal aggression yelling screaming swearing and name calling and relational or social aggression defined as intentionally harming another person s social relationships for instance by gossiping about another person or excluding others from our friendship or giving them the silent treatment Key Takeaways Aggression refers to behavior that is intended to harm another individual Aggression may be physical or non physical Violence is aggression that creates extreme physical harm Emotional or impulsive aggression refers to aggression that occurs with only a small amount of forethought or intent Instrumental or cognitive aggression is intentional and planned Key Terms Aggression Behavior intended to harm another individual who does not wish Violence Aggression that has extreme physical harm such as injury or Emotional Impulsive aggression Aggression that occurs with only a small amount of forethought or intent and which is determined primarily by to be harmed death as its goal impulsive emotions Instrumental aggression Aggression that is intentional and planned and which is aimed at hurting someone to gain something Physical aggression Aggression that involves harming others physically Non physical aggression Aggression such as criticizing or spreading rumors that does not involve physical harm to the other Notes different a neurotransmitter that influences mood appetite sleep and aggression A belief in the innate aggressive tendencies of human beings that the ability to be aggressive to others at least under some circumstances is part of our fundamental human makeup is consistent with the principles of evolutionary psychology Evolutionary principles suggest that we should be less likely to harm those who are genetically related to us than we are to harm others who are The amygdala is a brain region responsible for regulating our perceptions of and reactions to aggression and fear One mechanism that helps us control our negative emotions and aggression is a neural connection between the amygdala and regions of the prefrontal area of the cerebral cortex the outer bark like layer of our brain that allows us to so successfully use language acquire complex skills create tools and live in social groups The prefrontal cortex is in effect a control center on aggression when it is more highly activated we are more able to control our aggressive impulses Most important in this regard is the male sex hormone testosterone which is associated with increased aggression in both animals and in humans Alcohal and Agression In fact excessive alcohol consumption is involved in a majority of violent crimes including rape and murder Negative emotions cause aggression One kind of negative affect that increases arousal when we are experiencing it is frustration Displaced aggression occurs when negative emotions caused by one person trigger aggression toward a different person The idea that engaging in less harmful aggressive actions will reduce the tendency to aggress later in a more harmful way known as catharsis Rather than decreasing aggression increases when the country that one lives in is currently or recently fighting a war Key Takeaways The ability to aggress is part of the evolutionary adaptation of humans But aggression is not the only or always the best approach to dealing with conflict The amygdala plays an important role in monitoring fearful situations and creating aggressive responses to them The prefrontal cortex serves as a regulator to our aggressive impulses The male sex hormone testosterone is closely associated with aggression in both men and women The neurotransmitter serotonin increases the ability to control aggression Negative emotions including fear anger pain and frustration particularly when accompanied by high arousal may create aggression Contrary to the idea of catharsis social psychological research has found that engaging in aggression does not reduce further aggression Key Terms Serotonin aggression A neurotransmitter that influences mood appetite sleep and Amygdala A brain region responsible for regulating our perceptions of and reactions to aggression and fear Cerebral cortex The outer bark like layer of our brain that allows us to so successfully use language acquire complex skills create tools and live in social groups Displaced aggression Aggression that occurs when negative emotions caused by one person trigger aggression toward a different person Catharsis The idea that engaging in less harmful aggressive actions will reduce the tendency to aggress later in a more harmful way catharsis The idea that engaging in less harmful aggressive actions will reduce the tendency to aggress later in a more harmful way Culture of honor The social norm that condones and even encourages responding to insults with aggression Violence Creates more Violence Television Video Games and Handguns another outcome of viewing large amounts of violent material is desensitization the tendency to become used to and thus less influenced by a stimulus Key Takeaways more aggression desensitization Aggression can be explained in part by principles of learning including reinforcement punishment and modeling Viewing aggression on TV movies and video games tends to create Exposure to violence increases aggression through priming and Aggression occurs when we feel that we
View Full Document
Unlocking...