How Can Aggression Be Minimised? Discuss with Reference to Three Theories of Aggression.
Title Page
Module Title and Code: AP 1149: Introduction to Development and Social Perspectives on Psychology.
Assignment: How can aggression be minimised? Discuss with reference to three theories of aggression.
How can aggression be minimised? Discuss with reference to three theories of aggression.
Introduction
This essay discusses how aggression can be minimised with reference to three theories of aggression. These theories are discussed in the main body of the essay with regard to the context of reducing aggression, followed by a discussion of findings and ideas for future research.
The first theory is aggression as a biological phenomenon, the second theory is aggression as a response to frustration and the third is aggression as a Learned Social Approach.
Firstly it is necessary to establish why it important to study aggression in psychology because if we do not understand the nature and causes of aggression we cannot understand how to deal with or reduce aggression. The study of aggression has lead to effective management techniques derived from behavioural and counselling psychology. (Hogg & Vaughan, 2008)
“Aggression’ is generally defined as “behaviour intended to injure another person who does not want to be injured”. (Hogg & Vaughan, 2008, p. 446) It can come in two forms – hostile aggression and instrumental aggression. “Hostile aggression springs from anger; its goal is to injure. Instrumental aggression aims to injure, too – but only as a means to some other end”. (Myers, 2007, p. 345)
Main Body 1. Aggression as a biological phenomenon
“Aggression is an innate action tendency”. (Hogg & Vaughan, 2008, p. 448) Genetics influence aggression, and a person’s temperament usually endures as Huesmann et al. explains “a child that is non aggressive at age 8 will most likely still be non aggressive at age 48” (as cited in Myers, 2007, p. 347). All humans have neural systems that facilitate aggression. In addition there is a
Module Title and Code: AP 1149: Introduction to Development and Social Perspectives on Psychology.
Assignment: How can aggression be minimised? Discuss with reference to three theories of aggression.
How can aggression be minimised? Discuss with reference to three theories of aggression.
Introduction
This essay discusses how aggression can be minimised with reference to three theories of aggression. These theories are discussed in the main body of the essay with regard to the context of reducing aggression, followed by a discussion of findings and ideas for future research.
The first theory is aggression as a biological phenomenon, the second theory is aggression as a response to frustration and the third is aggression as a Learned Social Approach.
Firstly it is necessary to establish why it important to study aggression in psychology because if we do not understand the nature and causes of aggression we cannot understand how to deal with or reduce aggression. The study of aggression has lead to effective management techniques derived from behavioural and counselling psychology. (Hogg & Vaughan, 2008)
“Aggression’ is generally defined as “behaviour intended to injure another person who does not want to be injured”. (Hogg & Vaughan, 2008, p. 446) It can come in two forms – hostile aggression and instrumental aggression. “Hostile aggression springs from anger; its goal is to injure. Instrumental aggression aims to injure, too – but only as a means to some other end”. (Myers, 2007, p. 345)
Main Body 1. Aggression as a biological phenomenon
“Aggression is an innate action tendency”. (Hogg & Vaughan, 2008, p. 448) Genetics influence aggression, and a person’s temperament usually endures as Huesmann et al. explains “a child that is non aggressive at age 8 will most likely still be non aggressive at age 48” (as cited in Myers, 2007, p. 347). All humans have neural systems that facilitate aggression. In addition there is a
References: Bandura, A. (1969). Principles of behaviour modification. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston. Abstract retrieved from Myers, 2007. Bushman, B. J., & Huesmann, L. R. (2010). Aggression. In S. T. Fiske, D. T. Gilbert, & G. Lindzey (Eds.), Handbook of social psychology (5th ed.) (pp. 833-863). New York: John Wiley & Sons. Braithwaite, R. (2001). Managing Aggression. London: Routeledge. Hogg, M. A., Vaughan, G. M. (2008). Social Psychology (5th ed.). Harlow: Prentice Hall. Krahe, B. (2001). The Social Psychology of Aggression. Hove [England]: Psychology Press. Myers, D. G. (2007). Social Psychology (9th ed.). New York: Mc Graw-Hill Higher Education. Bushman, B. J., Bonacci, A. M., Tedersen, W. C., Vasquez, E. A., & Miller, N. (2005). Chewing on it can chew you up: Effects on rumination on triggered displaced a ggression Geen, R. G., & Quanty, M. B. (1977). Catharsis of aggression: An evaluation of a hypothesis. In L. Berkowitz (Ed.) Advances in experimental social psychology (vol. 10). New York: Academic Press. Abstract retrieved from Myers, 2007.