Biological Theories Of Aggression Analysis

When evaluating aggression as a behavior we have to consider a person's intentions as well as the outcome. Elliot Aronson defined aggression as 'behavior aimed at causing harm or pain'. The act of aggression can be seen to be expressed in two different ways depending on where it is assumed to originate from. Those who believe aggression is learned behavior typically emphasize behavior in defining aggression, aggression must result in harm. Those who believe aggression as innate drive typically emphasize intentions in defining aggression, which may be expressed symbolically. Aggression is mostly viewed as behavior which causes intentional harm to another person.

The biological approach looks at the behavior of aggression as the result of heredity.
Pain causing aggression is also seen as a possible biological solution to aggression. Stimuli which cause pain will often trigger aggressive behavior. Also seen that aversive stimuli can also trigger aggression in people. Studies of gender differences in aggression have also been suggestive of a biological mechanism, men are usually more aggressive then women because of the role of hormones. If aggression does have an innate foundation such as proposals by studies in gender, it is likely that it is the product of evolution. Lornez supported this idea, he believed that many human characteristics were based on inherited mechanism. Aggression to Lorenz served as an evolutionary function, for the survival of the most aggressive individuals. Aggression was evolved as a characteristic for survival and is still present in humans today. Lorenz viewed aggression as a biologically-based drive which must be sometimes satisfied through behavioral expression, this concept could be called the 'reservoir'. The reservoir builds up with the drive of aggression over time, and is reduced by the expression of anger. Normally the expression of aggressive behavior is
This view is about the situation not the person, because reinforces are provided by the environment. There are two aspects of aggressive behavior that are caused by learning. Instrumental aggression is aggressive behavior which is maintained because it is positively reinforced. To prevent instrumental aggression one must alter the environmental conditions so that aggression is not rewarded. Aggressive acts can be viewed as non instrumental aggression if the behavior seems unlikely to lead to a reward, such as kicking your car for not starting. This aggression is explained by the frustration-aggression hypothesis by John Dollard. It states that frustration is the sole cause of aggression, certain circumstances create frustration, then this will arouse a drive that motivates aggressive behavior. A frustrating situation may elicit different types of aggression, aggression may be displaced so the theory is less precise and testable. The intensity of the aggressive behavior is due to the intensity of the frustration, and prior punishment for the same aggressive behavior. However can also be seen that aggressive behavior can occur from reinforcement, even if there is an absence of frustration. If aggression really is learned then no amount of catharsis is going to solve the problem,