Aggression

What is the Science behind Violence

Xingbang Liu

Sheldon

What is aggression?

Intentional behavior aimed at causing physical harm or psychological pain to another person.

There are differences between aggression.

1.Hostile Aggression

Aggression stemming from feelings of anger and aimed at inflicting pain or injury.

2.Instrumental Aggression

Aggression as a means to some goal other than causing pain.

Where is aggression coming from?

Aggression is in our genes.

To protect resources

Out of sexual jealousy

Experiments

"Testosterone: the fuels"

In animals: More aggression when injected testosterone

In humans: Higher level in young criminal and prisoners

Experiments

Biologist Zing Yang Kuo:

Raised a kitten with a rat.

This cat never attacks rats.

However: it fails to prove that aggressive behavior is not instinctive in cats; it merely demonstrates that early experience can override it.

Chimpanzees and the bonobos

Chimpanzees - The only nonhuman species kill their own kind - just like humans.

Bonobos - Use sex activity to diffuse potential conflict

Chimpanzees and the bonobos

Conclusion: Aggression is determined by the animal's previous social experiences as well as by the specific social context in which the animal finds itself.

Culture: Another argument

1. Maybe born with it

2. Expression depends on circumstances and culture

Social situation is much more important than physical conditions

Three evidences:

Changes in Aggression Across Time

Iroquois:

Hunting nation - social change (more competitions) - warriors

Differences in Aggression Across Cultures

Society:

Lack internal and external threats - no aggression

External threats - reduce intra-aggression, more extra-aggressive

Cultures of Honor and Aggression

"It's high noon"

The old West duel

Gender Facts

• Both men and women commit aggression
• Women tend to use relational aggression:

Aggression that harms another person through the manipulation of relationships

(gossiping, spreading false rumors)

Gender Facts

Males tend to be more aggressive to their intimate Partners

Some Physiological Influences on Aggression

• Alcohol
• Pain and heat

Situations Can Influence Aggression

Frustration can lead to aggression

• Frustration-Aggression Theory

The theory that frustration-the perception that you are being prevented from attaining a goal-increases the probability of an aggressive response

Situations Can Influence Aggression

Provocation and Reciprocation

• We want pay back when we have been aggressively treated.

Situations Can Influence Aggression

Aggressive Objects as Cues

• the mere presence of an aggressive stimulus-an object that is associated with aggressive responses-might increase the probability of aggression

How do we learn to be aggressive?

Social learning theory holds that we learn social behavior, from aggression to altruism, in large part by observing others and imitating them.

Social Learning Theory: The theory that people learn social behavior (e.g., aggression) in large part by observing others and imitating them.

So...

TV, Video games, movies

How to Reduce Aggression?

Catharsis?

The notion that "blowing off steam"-by performing a verbally or physically aggressive act, watching others engage in aggressive behaviors, or engaging in a fantasy of aggression-relieves built-up aggressive energies and hence reduces the likelihood of further aggressive behavior

It is WRONG

What Are We Supposed to Do?

Become aware of the anger and:

• Cooling off
• Getting involved in a distracting activity
• Learning to communicate your feelings in a clear but nonjudgmental or insulting way