Term
| • What link does the book make between sexual behavior and aggression |
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Definition
o Men are more aggressive due to testosterone, they have more testosterone.
o Positive relationship: more aggressive= more mating options? Behaviors occur together
o Men physically, women are passively/non physical |
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Term
| • Why might it be helpful for these behaviors to be linked? |
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Definition
| o Evolutionary- bull shark, the more likely he will survive, and more likely to keep offspring and mate alive and guard resources |
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Term
| • What might make human aggression different from aggresion seen in other animals? |
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Definition
| o Interpretation of the situation= more cognitive process- weigh pros/cons, use aggression to acheieve long term goal |
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Term
Aggression Definition
• Traditional- |
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Definition
| any action *intended to inflict harm* on another (Milgram) |
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Term
| new concepts for aggression focuses on |
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Definition
| o Focus on control (underlying motive instead of inflicting harm) |
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Term
| new definition of aggression |
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Definition
| Willingness to engage in physical and/or psychological acts of harm in attempt to control the actions of another |
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Term
| new definition of aggression includes: |
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Definition
| physical, psychological, and cognitive components |
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Term
| new definition of aggression defines motivation as-- not -- |
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Definition
Motivation is “instrumental” vs “reactive”
• Old view saw aggression as reactive (someone cuts in line and you react angry) New view is instrumental- there is a goal behind this behavior |
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Term
| Lorenz’s Hydraulic Model (animal behavior) |
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Definition
• Aggressive energy consistently “builds up”
• Must be routinely “drained” w/ cathartic activities (balloon inflates/deflates) |
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Term
| Lorenz’s Hydraulic Model can be reduced by- |
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Definition
| o Completing a negative-feedback loop that reduces aggressive motives |
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Term
| if aggression is not released in Lorenz |
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Definition
o If not, aggression is easily triggered by external stimuli (vacuum reactions)
• You blow up at someone that just says hi to you |
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Term
| • Evaluation of Hydraulic Model |
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Definition
o No known biological mechanism
o Research shows that the opportunity to aggress can increase or decrease future aggression |
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Term
| what happens when engaging in aggressive behavior increases it for the future? |
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Definition
| reciprocation- behavior is strengthen and will occur again. This is a positive feedback system- strengthen MS not shutting it off |
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Term
| what happens when engaging in aggressive behavior decreases it for the future? |
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Definition
constructive removal of cause of aggression
• Territorial dog example. When the dog is aggressive it drives out the other dog (removing the input) This is negative feedback |
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Term
| Control system approach of aggression includes: |
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Definition
| • Multiple inputs, outputs, negative feedback (sometimes), Not-homeostatic |
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Term
| in male animals how do androgens relate to aggression? |
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Definition
Castration reduces aggression
Reverse w/hormone tx
Possible bidirectional relationship
• Testosterone can increase in response to high status
o Winning increases testosterone |
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Term
| in female animals how do androgens relate to aggression? |
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Definition
Less consistent results
Unusual example: spotted hyena
• She is the pack level, very aggressive, top social leader
• Elevated levels of testosterone in dominant female
• Traced back to Androstenedione (prehormone) that drives this behavior |
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Term
| in humans how do androgens relate to aggression? correlational- |
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Definition
Some research has found positive correlation btw androstenedione and behavioral problems for both males and females
• Lying disobedience talking back, reactivity- tendency to explode
Inconsistent findings for positive correlation btw testosterone levels and
• Physical aggression
• Self-reported irritability |
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Term
| in humans how do androgens relate to aggression? quasi- experimental |
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Definition
Male weightlifters and steroid use -> increased hostility ratings (though not necessarily behavior) relative to non-users
Castrated sex offenders show reduced hostility and aggressive tendencies (in addition to reduced sex drive) |
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