Questions and CORRECT Answers
Aggression - CORRECT ANSWER - INTENTIONAL behavior aimed at causing physical
harm or psychological pain to another person
Hostile/Reactive Aggression - CORRECT ANSWER - The primary goal is to inflict injury
or psychological harm on another
- HOT aggression
- Driven by anger
Instrumental/Proactive Aggression - CORRECT ANSWER - Intent of causing harm as
means to reach another goal
- COOL aggression
Overt Aggression - CORRECT ANSWER - DIRECT physical or verbal aggression
towards someone
Indirect Aggression - CORRECT ANSWER - Aggression that occurs when the target is
NOT present
- Hidden aggression
Relational Aggression - CORRECT ANSWER - An act of aggression (physical or verbal)
intended to harm a person's relationship or social standing
- Aim to damage social reputation
Influences of Aggression - CORRECT ANSWER - - Biochemical
- Neural
- Genetic
- Group influences
,- Environment (aversive experience & culture)
Biochemical Influences of Aggression - CORRECT ANSWER - 1) Alcohol: acts as a
deindividuator, e.g. decreases self-awareness; affects judgment; associated with hostile
aggression
2) Hormones
-Testosterone: associated with hostile aggression and dominance
-Serotonin: high levels decreases aggression
Neural Influences of Aggression - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. Active AMYGDALA:
increases aggressive behavior
- associated with emotion --> anger
2. Active PREFRONTAL CORTEX: Decreases aggressive behavior
- associated with formal operations --> regulates emotional response
Genetic Influences of Aggression - CORRECT ANSWER - Gene that alters
neurotransmitter balance - MAOA - at risk of hostile (reactive) aggression if combined with
childhood maltreatment
- Gene-environment interaction
Environmental Influences of Aggression - CORRECT ANSWER - 1) Aversive
experiences: undesirable experiences that cause negative psychological arousal/discomfort
2. Cultural/Subcultural: Some cultures encourage aggression (eg Culture of honor in south where
aggression is encouraged when personally insulted or to defend honor)
Culture of Honor Study : Cohen et al. (1996) - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. Southern and
Northern UMish students walk down hall to hand in paper work - Confederate in the way moves
first politely and then insults particiapnts
- 85% S. students were more angry than amused vs. 35% N.
- Ppl filled out 3 questionaires
- Fill in blank and rating faces activity = same scores
, - BUT of ppl insulted 75% of S. chose an aggresie ending to story vs. 41% N.
2. Cortisol and testosterone swab test
- HIGHER cortisol and testosterone for S.
3. "Chicken": Measure amount of time for students to move out of way when large confederate
walks down hallway
- S. gave most time (polite) when not insulted but LEAST space when insulted
Group Influences of Aggression - CORRECT ANSWER - Increased aggression when in
group due to group polarization and diffusion of responsibility
Meiser & Hinsz (2004): Hot Sauce Study - CORRECT ANSWER - Ppl chose amount of
hotsauce to give to a group or person after they had been given 48g
- group --> group = MOST hot sauce given (92.9g)
Shows influence of group on aggression
Theories of Aggression - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. Frustration-aggression Theory
2. Social Cognitive Learning Theory
3. Instinct Theories
Frustration-Aggression Theory - CORRECT ANSWER - Frustration triggers a readiness to
aggress
- Berkowitz: frustration = anger = emotional readiness to aggress
Aggressive Cues - CORRECT ANSWER - Objects, settings, or persons previously or
presently associated with aggression
- Influences hostile aggression