Psychology 301Social Psychology Lecture 8,

Sept 25, 2008

AggressionAggressionInstructor: Cherisse SeatonInstructor: Cherisse Seaton

OverviewReview:

Social Learning DramasAttitude formation

Defining AggressionDevelopment of aggression

Punishment and aggression Social learning – Bobo doll study

Readings for this sectionAronson et al. Chapter 11

Social Learning DramasOnly by invitationVoluntary Social Norms - not necessarily cultural

practicesIntention is to address issues that are already

problematic, not to impose Western idealsUniversal Human RightsModel common problems people face and

possible solutions: giving people choices

Social Learning DramasProvide Information/ raise awareness

E.g., Addressing AIDS mythsProvide effective strategies

Increase self-efficacyGuide, motivate and support behaviour in

attempts to exercise control over own lives

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjIbKaSXM3A

Social Learning DramasContrast modeling

Plotlines address common dilemmas – tailored to specific issues

Often depict positive outcomes as well as contrasting negative outcomes Models positive strategies as well as adverse

consequencesNegative models exhibiting detrimental lifestylesPositive models exhibiting beneficial lifestylesTransitional models changing from detrimental

to beneficial behaviours

Social Learning DramasViewers see others changing their lives for the

betterHighlights effective ways of overcoming

situationsModel how to manage setbacks and overcome

failuresDepicted outcomes provide incentive for change

Vicarious motivatorsExample viewer response:

“After watching Angoori die in child birth, I won’t allow my daughters to be married at an early age”

AggressionDefining aggressive acts:

Physical harm – accidents? Intentions?Psychological harmIntentProsocial aggression – e.g., war, policeAntisocial aggressionPerception of victim

Is it Aggression?Throwing a dish against the wall during an argumentA person slams a door shut after an argumentA prison ward executes a criminalA depressed person commits suicideSticking a pin in a voodoo dollThrowing someone’s computer out of a windowSupervisor giving negative feedbackDrunk driverGossiping about someoneKilling animals for foodA hunter kills an animal for a trophyA man mentally rehearses a murderOne person calls another a racial slur

AggressionDefinition:

“Intentional behaviour aimed at causing either physical or psychological pain” (p.357)

Hostile aggression“An act of aggression stemming from feelings of anger

and aimed at inflicting pain” E.g., A jealous man kills his wife and her lover

Instrumental aggression:“Aggression as a means to some goal other than causing

pain”E.g., A hit man kills an unfaithful husband for 1,000

dollars

Formation of Attitudes1.) Classical conditioning2.) Instrumental/operant conditioning3.) Cognitive Social Learning

1. Classical conditioningPositive & negative associations Desensitization

Frequent exposure to aggression/ violence may reduce sensitivity

Numbing effect Emotional responsePhysiological response

E.g., Individuals exposed to violent film showed lower physiological response when subsequently viewing aggressive interaction between preschoolers than did those exposed to an equally exciting non-violent program (Thomas et al., 1977)

2. Operant conditioning….Suggests that punishing aggressive acts will

decrease the frequency of aggressive behaviour,Learned consequences

While rewarding acts of aggression will increase the frequency of aggressive behaviour.E.g., Bullying

Punishment & AggressionEron et al. (1963) Longitudinal study of 875 3rd graders

Ss = 206 girls; 245 boysVariables:

Parents level of punishment:Low intensityMediumHigh intensity

Variables:Peer rated aggression

ResultsPeer related aggression scores (at school)

ResultsLevel of punishment at age 8 aggression 8, 18,

30 (peer-rated, teacher-rated, & self-rated)

Severity of punishment, in particular the physical component, predicted higher levels of aggression (Lefkowitz, Walder, & Eron, 1963)

Intergenerational effects of punishment (Lefkowitz, Huesmann, & Eron, 1978)

Parenting style and children's aggressive behaviour

Punitive parentingPhysical punishment, Yelled and shouted

Child aggressive behaviourFightsBullying

Why does physical punishment increase aggression?

a.) Develops negative associations with the parent.b.) Punishing arousal and upset decreased learningc.) The act of ‘punishment’ itself, usually takes the form

of an aggressive act, thereby providing an aggressive model

But…Doing nothing is not a good option because aggression is

also associated with… Lack of monitoring Excessive sibling fighting

Options:1). Reinforce prosocial and mature behaviour

2). Offer alternative behaviours

3). Mild punishment (verbal reprimands / time-outs)

Mild punishmentMild punishment is effective if…

1. Regularly and predictably follow the undesirable action

2. Applied immediately3. Clearly explain the bad behaviour

Don’t make idle threats

BullyingSchoolyard bulliesNorwegian & Swedish

Ss = 4th – 7th graders Mild but swiftBullying reduced up to 50%

Mild punishment changes attitudes and behaviour more than severe punishmentsInduce child to justify own restraintInsufficient justification

Attitudes and AggressionAccording to Cognitive Dissonance theory,

when we hurt someone, we come to dislike or hurt that person as a way of justifying our crueltyPrejudicial attitudesBlaming the victim – bullying

3. Social LearningThe social learning theory suggests that we

learn social behaviours, such as aggression, by observing others and imitating them.

Vicarious reinforcement -- seeing and recalling the model being reinforced.

Bobo doll studies Ss = childrenWatch a film in which an adult attacks a large

inflated Bobo doll.Experimental manipulation (IV): the end of

the film differed1. the model is punished for treatment of the

doll2. the model receives no consequences3. the model is rewarded for aggression to doll

DV: child’s behaviour toward bobo doll

Bobo doll studiesBandura (1961, 1963)5 min film clip

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDtBz_1dkuk

Vicarious Consequences

Next class…The big debate: T.V. violence

Social Learning of Aggression