Lecture 11

Chapter 13: Aggression
Social Psychology by
Tom Gilovich, Dacher
Keltner, and Richard
Nisbett
Aggression
Hostile aggression - behavior intended to harm another,
either physically or psychologically, and motivated by
feelings of anger and hostility
Instrumental aggression - behavior intended to harm
another in the service of motives other than pure
hostility (for example, to attract attention, acquire
wealth, and to advance political and ideological
causes)
Modern Theory of Aggression

Social Determinants
Personal Determinants
Frustration
Provocation
Exposure to aggressive models
Cues associated with aggression
Causes of discomfort/negative affect
Arousal
High irritability
Beliefs about aggression
Proaggression values
Type A behavior pattern
Hostile attribution bias
Affective
States
Aggression
Aggressive
Cognitions
Type
A behavior pattern
Hostile
attributional style
Narcissism
Gender
Next
(inflated self-esteem)
(higher in males when not provoked)
males tend to use direct forms (push, shove, insult)

females tend to use indirect (gossip, spread rumors)
Biological
Instinct theory - innate (unlearned) behavior pattern

Freud-
redirecting the death instinct (thanatos) to others

Lorenz- inherited fighting instinct developed through the
course of evolution (strongest survive)
Neural Influences
Genetic Influences
Blood Chemistry
high
testosterone linked to higher aggression and less helping

low levels of serotonin inhibit ability to restrain aggressive
urges
Social Determinants
frustration
elicits aggression esp. when cause is unjustified
direct
provocation (physical or verbal)

exposure to media violence
primes aggressive thoughts; desensitizes viewers
heightened
arousal (provocation, exercise)
arousal in one situation can persist and intensify

reactions in another, unrelated situation
Frustration-Aggression Theory
Direct
Outward
aggression
Instigation
to aggress
Indirect
Frustration
(Goal)
Inward aggression
(e.g., suicide)
Other additional responses

(e.g., withdrawal)
Back
Bandura, Ross, & Ross
Subjects were exposed to either

aggressive or nonaggressive
models
Nonaggressive model
assembled tinker toys
Aggressive model hit Bobo doll
Subject then spent 20 mins
alone in room with various toys
including Bobo.
What did it look like?
Measuring Human Aggression in the

Laboratory
Buss Technique (similar to Milgrams)

Participants (teacher) told to shock a learner each time
they made an error on a simple learning task
Note: teachers chose how strong the shocks were
Competitive Reaction Time task (Taylor et al.)
Participants compete with opponent on reaction-time trials.

After losing a trial, they receive shock levels ranging in
intensity from very mild to painful. After winning a trial, they
pick shock level to administer to opponent
Chermack, Berman, & Taylor
Subjects competed against

opponent in reaction time
game
After each trial, loser received a
shock
2 conditions
Back
Low provocation - shocks

stayed at setting #2
High provocation - shocks
gradually increased from 2 to 9
Excitation Transfer Theory

Arousal and
irritation
attributed to
delay at gate
Meeting your
future in-laws
Back
Heightened
arousal
Residual
arousal
Aggression
is increased
Frustration
(delay at gate)
Arousal and
irritation are
attributed
mainly to
meeting the
parents
Aggression is
not increased
Situational Determinants
high
temperatures
hotter years (and summers) increased rates of violent

crimes, but not property or rape crimes
alcohol
intoxicated participants
behave more
aggressively and
respond to provocations
more strongly
low aggressors became
more aggressive when
intoxicated, whereas high
aggressors did not
Media
Controlling Aggression
Catharsis
(blowing off a little steam)
does not reduce aggression
Punishment
must be prompt, strong, and justified
Exposure
to nonaggressive models
place prosocial models in violent situations
Controlling Aggression (cont)

Cognitive
apologizing can be effective

engage in activities that distract attention away from
causes of anger
Teach
social skills
better communication
Induce
interventions
incompatible responses
humor
Study Smarter:
Student Website
http://www.wwnorton.com/socialpsych
Chapter Reviews
Diagnostic Quizzes
Vocabulary Flashcards
Apply It! Exercises

Lecture 11

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Chapter 13: Aggression

Modern Theory of Aggression

(higher in males when not provoked)

males tend to use direct forms (push, shove, insult)

Instinct theory - innate (unlearned) behavior pattern

redirecting the death instinct (thanatos) to others

testosterone linked to higher aggression and less helping

elicits aggression esp. when cause is unjustified

provocation (physical or verbal)

primes aggressive thoughts; desensitizes viewers

arousal (provocation, exercise)

arousal in one situation can persist and intensify

Other additional responses

Bandura, Ross, & Ross

Subjects were exposed to either

What did it look like?

Measuring Human Aggression in the

Buss Technique (similar to Milgrams)

Competitive Reaction Time task (Taylor et al.)

Participants compete with opponent on reaction-time trials.

Chermack, Berman, & Taylor

Subjects competed against

Low provocation - shocks

Excitation Transfer Theory

hotter years (and summers) increased rates of violent

(blowing off a little steam)

does not reduce aggression

must be prompt, strong, and justified

place prosocial models in violent situations

Controlling Aggression (cont)

apologizing can be effective

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