Study "Social psych L 5-9", a flashcard deck on FORKSAI.
Define 'aggression' according to the lecture notes, and distinguish between 'hostile aggression' and 'instrumental aggression' with examples.
Aggression is defined as physical or verbal behavior intended to harm someone, where intent is a crucial factor. Hostile aggression is driven by anger, with harm as the primary goal, such as hitting someone in a fit of rage. Instrumental aggression, however, uses harm as a means to achieve another end, like hurting someone to steal money or gain power.
Explain the core tenets of instinct theories regarding aggression, naming at least two key thinkers associated with this perspective.
Instinct theories propose that aggression is an innate or inborn human characteristic. Key thinkers include Charles Darwin, who viewed aggression as an adaptive trait for survival, and Sigmund Freud, who posited an aggressive drive called Thanatos. Konrad Lorenz also contributed, suggesting aggression is a survival instinct.
Describe the original 'frustration-aggression theory' and how Leonard Berkowitz later modified it.
The original frustration-aggression theory, proposed by John Dollard et al. (1939), stated that frustration directly increases the likelihood of aggression, especially when goals are blocked. Leonard Berkowitz later modified this by suggesting that frustration primarily causes anger, which then leads to aggression only if aggressive cues are present in the environment.
How does Albert Bandura's Social Learning Theory explain the acquisition of aggressive behaviors? Provide an example from his research.
Albert Bandura's Social Learning Theory posits that aggression is learned through observation, imitation, and reinforcement. Individuals learn aggressive behaviors by watching others and imitating their actions, especially if those actions are rewarded. The Bobo doll experiments famously demonstrated this, where children imitated aggressive behaviors towards a doll after observing an adult act aggressively towards it.
Explain the concept of a 'social dilemma' and illustrate it using the 'Prisoner's Dilemma' game.
A social dilemma refers to situations where individuals acting in their own self-interest ultimately harm the group as a whole. The Prisoner's Dilemma is a mixed-motive game where two individuals, acting in their self-interest by not cooperating, can lead to a worse outcome for both compared to if they had cooperated. Cooperation benefits both, but the temptation to defect for individual gain can lead to mutual suffering.
What is the 'Tragedy of the Commons'? How does it exemplify a social dilemma?
The Tragedy of the Commons describes a social dilemma involving a shared, limited resource. If everyone exercises restraint in using the resource, all members of the group benefit sustainably. However, if individuals act in self-interest and overuse the resource, it becomes depleted, leading to suffering for everyone. It exemplifies a social dilemma because individual rational choices lead to a collectively irrational and detrimental outcome.
Discuss the various psychological effects that television and media violence can have on individuals, as outlined in the lecture.
Television and media violence can have several psychological effects, including increased arousal, which heightens physiological and emotional responses. It can also lead to imitation, particularly in children who observe and mimic aggressive acts. Furthermore, it can cause disinhibition, reducing an individual's normal restraints against aggressive behavior, and desensitization to violence, making them less reactive to it over time.
Explain the 'Mere Exposure Effect' and how it influences liking, providing an example from research.
The Mere Exposure Effect describes the tendency for novel stimuli to be liked more and rated more positively after repeated exposure to them. This means that simply being exposed to something multiple times, even without direct interaction, can increase one's liking for it. Zajonc's (1970) study, where participants rated Turkish words more positively the more frequently they were exposed to them, is a classic example.
Define the 'Physical Attractiveness Stereotype' and explain its implications.
The Physical Attractiveness Stereotype is the presumption that physically attractive people also possess other socially desirable traits, often summarized as 'what is beautiful is good.' The implication is that attractive individuals are automatically assumed to be more intelligent, kind, or successful, even without evidence. This stereotype can lead to preferential treatment and biased judgments in various social contexts.
Distinguish between the 'Minimax Principle' and the 'Equity Principle' in the context of relationships.
The Minimax Principle suggests that individuals will continue a relationship if it provides more rewards than costs, essentially seeking to maximize rewards and minimize costs. The Equity Principle, on the other hand, posits that what an individual gets out of a relationship should be proportional to what they put into it. While Minimax focuses on net gain, Equity emphasizes fairness and balance in contributions and outcomes between partners.