Page 579 - Understanding Psychology

Figure 19.15 A Model of Aggression
This is just one model of aggression. Psychologists have proposed various biological, cognitive, and environ- mental factors that influence a per- son’s response to the fight-or-flight dilemma. What leads to aggression in this model?
You encounter a dangerous situation.
You feel threatened (have negative feelings).
Your initial reaction is to fight or flee.
You choose to fight.
AGGRESSION
Any behavior that is intended to cause physical or psy- chological harm is called aggression. It seems that our society is being torn apart by increasing violence and aggression. What causes humans to act in ways that harm others? Psychologists have proposed several theories to explain aggression.
Biological Influences
Some animals are naturally aggressive. For instance, you might know that when injured, some otherwise friendly dogs become vicious. This violent response is an innate biological reaction. Psychologists have proposed that humans also have innate biological factors that cause aggression. Neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, influence a person’s aggressive behavior. When a person has diminished serotonin levels in the brain, he or she may experience violent outbursts.
Studies on mice indicate that mice whose genes have been altered so that their brains lack serotonin receptors attack other mice quicker and with more intensity than other mice (Shih, 1996). Psychologists, though, warn against labeling aggression as caused by only biological factors.
Cognitive Factors
Psychologist Albert Bandura proposes that children learn aggressive behavior by observing and imitating their parents. Bandura suggested that we watch models perform and then imitate the models’ behavior. His social learning theory also proposes that aggressive behavior may be rein- forced in several ways. Parents who use aggression to discipline their chil- dren may be teaching their children to use aggression.
The media—television, movies, video games, and music—may also be teaching aggressive behavior to children. By 18 years of age, the average American has witnessed an estimated 200,000 acts of violence on television (American Academy of Pediatrics, 1995). As children witness media vio- lence, they grow immune to the horror of violence, gradually accept vio- lence as a way to solve problems, imitate the violence they observe, and identify with certain characters whether they are victims or victimizers.
Personality Factors
Certain personality traits, such as impulsiveness and having little empathy, combined with favoring domination can turn a person into a bully. Aggressive people also may be arrogant and egotistical. People often strike out at others to affirm their sense of superiority (Baumeister, Smart, & Boden, 1996). Can psychologists predict violent behavior based on personality factors? Usually, past experience is the best predictor. An aggressive child tends to become an aggressive adult.
aggression: behavior intended to do physical or psychological harm
to others
Chapter 19 / Group Interaction 565