Theories of Aggression | Instinct Theory Of Aggression | Biological Approach

Theories of Aggression | Instinct Theory Of Aggression | Biological Approach #socialpsychology
Aggression is manifested not only in direct participation, but in so many of human activities.
Even when people do not directly participate in aggressive acts themselves, many enjoy
watching others do so in action adventure films or sporting events, e.g., bull fighting or
wrestling games (Mustonen_1997).
Biological factors
Biological research suggests that individual differences in aggression are partly due to inheritance
and hormonal changes.
Behavior genetics:
•Identical twins tend to have more similar aggressive tendencies than fraternal twins. The
problem with this research, however, is that parents tend to treat identical twins more similarly
than fraternal twins, and thus, it is difficult for us to clearly distinguish between biological and
environmental determinants of aggression.
Hormonal activity:
Research indicates that chemical messengers in the bloodstream, known as hormones,
influence human aggression (Adelson, 2004). Higher than normal levels of the male hormone
testosterone is reported in highly aggressive individuals of both sexes (Carlson, 2004). These
findings suggest that high testosterone levels may either directly cause aggression or
indirectly cause it by encouraging social dominance and competitives.

Any form of behaviour that is intended to harm or injure some person, oneself, or an object
Aggression may be antisocial, sanctioned , or prosocial
Aggression is a behavior and should be distinguished from feelings of anger
Different from assertiveness, designed not to hurt others. Assertiveness is the ability to express
yourself and your rights without violating the rights of others.
#aggression #psychology #instincts #sigmundfreud
Evolution shaped our aggressive behavior patterns
A number of social scientists concur with the judgment that we are an innately aggressive
species
Aggression is beneficial from a survival point of view
Victims of aggression tend to be non-relatives
But...
o There are wide differences in aggression within cultures, and
o over short periods of time this variety and rapid changes are not possible in evolutionary
terms