Lecture OutlineFactors that influence aggression (con’t)–arousal–alcohol–aggressive cues–violent mediaReducing aggressionCauses of Aggression1. Narcissistic Personality2. Aversive (unpleasant) situations3. Physiological arousalArousalExcitation-Transfer Theory•Physiological arousal dissipates slowly•Arousal caused by 1st event can be misattributed to 2nd eventcpBridge StudyDutton & Aron (1974)Low Bridge High BridgeLow arousalHigh arousalArousal caused by high bridge misattributed as sexual attractionMen on high bridge:¾Called experimenter more¾Stories had more sexual contentBridge StudyDutton & Aron (1974)cpExcitation Transfer TheoryMisattribution occurs unconsciouslyMisattribution more likely when people believe arousal of first event has worn off, when it actually hasn’tThis theory may explain why hot temperatures increase aggressioncpCauses of Aggression1. Narcissistic Personality2. Aversive (unpleasant) situations3. Physiological arousal4. AlcoholAlcoholStrong correlation between alcohol use and violent crimesTypical Experimental Designcp25%25%No25%25%YesDid they actuallydrink alcoholNoYesDid they believethey were drinking alcoholFindingsBelieve drinking alcohol and are drinking alcoholMost aggressiveAre drinking alcoholAggressiveAggressiveBelieve drinking alcoholcpCauses of Aggression1. Narcissistic Personality2. Aversive (unpleasant) situations3. Physiological arousal4. Alcohol5. Aggressive cues-weapons-violent mediaAggressive Cues1. Weapons“Guns do not only permit violence, they can stimulate it as well. The finger pulls the trigger, but the trigger may also be pulling the finger.” (Berkowitz, 1968)Weapon StudyBerkowitz & Le Page (1967)cpContents on Adjacent Table25%25%1025%25%1Number of Shocks Given to ParticipantSporting equipmentRevolver & ShotgunWeapon StudyBerkowitz & Le Page (1967)10 shocks + Weapons Table10 shocks + Sports TableMore Shocks Fewer ShocksWeapons EffectcpHonking StudyTurner et al. (1975)No Rifle+ NoBumper StickerRifle+ FriendBumperStickerRifle+ VengeanceBumperSticker____Honked____Honked____HonkedYou fill in the percentage of people who honkedcpAggressive Cues1. Weapons2. Violent media•Amount TV children watched at age 8 correlated with number violent crimes committed by age 30• Violent media affects some people more than others• The effects of TV violence accumulatecpViolent Porn AggressionThe Anecdotal EvidenceAggressors report that their violence against women caused by violent pornography(e.g., Ted Bundy)Violent pornography especially likely to increase aggressionViolent Porn AggressionThe Empirical EvidenceSales soft-coremagazinesRates of rapein all 50 statesNon-violentpornographyViolentpornography AggressioncpReducing AggressionWhat doesn’t work:• Viewing violence• Verbal expression of anger• Displacing aggression to inanimate objectsReducing AggressionWhat does work:•Delay• Distraction•Relax• Incompatible
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