Aggression is defined as physical or verbal behavior intended to hurt another person, self, other living beings or inanimate objects.The two fundamental types of aggression are (a) Emotional or impulsive aggression – influenced by negative emotions and behavior (b) Instrumental or cognitive aggression – deliberate and planned
Aggressive behaviour is a common trait found in all individuals. It can be recognized as a unique behavioural trait that shapes the personality of individuals. The study to identify major causes of aggression and the factors that contribute to aggressive behaviour is of great interest to behavioural and social psychologists around the globe. Even though there were several studies conducted on the origin of aggression, the debate remains the same in terms of whether aggression is in nature or nurture.
The theory that states aggression is nurtured explains that the behaviour is inherent. It conveys that individuals are predisposed to aggressive behaviour biologically and genetically which includes hormones (high testosterones) , neurotransmitters, gender difference and genetic makeup (MAOA genes). Behaviourist and social psychologist coined theories supporting the hypothesis that aggression is learned, imitated vicariously and appears as a result of interaction with the environment.
Although there are various theories and research results supporting nature theory that places importance on the role of hormones, neurons, dopamine and genes, the ability to be aggressive depends on the environment as well. One does not necessarily become or behave aggressively because they are genetically predisposed. The environmental stimuli , cultural norms, previous exposure that strengthened learned behaviors through social interaction, frustration, imitation or modeling also contributes to aggressive behaviour evidently.
Based on the preview of many, aggression could be identified as a learned response that has been supported by violence in the environment and culture. While aggression could be defensive and offensive based on the circumstances, in most cases aggression becomes offensive among humans. The way aggressive behaviour is perceived and expressed varies from person to person, culturally and socially.
The definition of aggression could take many forms. Based on the psychological literature there are two general features of aggression accepted by the majority.
(1) Aggressive behaviour needs to be perceived negatively by the victim and
(2) Aggressive behaviour needs to be intentional, where the aggressor desires to hurt or destroy the victim physically or psychologically.
While in most situations, pain and injuries are common, in some instances the damage will be on self-esteem, or social standing. One of the most commonly accepted theories is that aggressive instinct is tied with one of the two fundamental human drives. (1) Thanatos, an instinct of death. Or Eros the instinct of life. In their perspective, Thanatos is the cause of aggression. The theory was more popular among many because it’s hard to understand some of the acts humans exert due to aggression. In most situations the acts that are carried out by humans in an aggressive situation will be impulsive, however it is inclined more towards learned behaviour.
Based on the frustration-aggression hypothesis, aggression is not inborn but learned. It is a common cause in today’s world where change is induced by external forces that drive disappointment and frustration. The frustration-aggression hypothesis of aggression states that when a person is prevented from reaching something they really need builds frustration leading to aggressive behaviour. Hence it identified that aggression is a by-product of frustration.
According to Albert Bandura aggression could be learned vicariously or as an imitation where one of the three will be the key influencer. He stated that most behaviors human learns is through observation and imitating the behaviour to benefit. Such imitated or modeled behaviors are reinforced when the person experiences positive results as having control and power. Social psychologist Albert Bandura and his team experimented to support the theory that aggression is learned. The famous Bobo doll experiment was conducted with 3 to 6-year-old children as participants who were shown a video of an adult behaving violently towards the bobo doll hitting and kicking. When the children were left alone with the doll they exhibited the same behaviour as they witnessed the adult in video using the weapon like toys left in the room. The children also found novel ways to hurt the bobo doll which was not performed by the adult in the video they watched.
– Family influence
Madelyn H believes that aggression is nurtured in the family system. This could begin directly or indirectly via disrupting parenting behaviour, could be negativity, low caring, rudeness, and exposure to abuse and violence. These factors could develop frustration among the kids and it could lead to aggression in their young days which could lead to aggression in adulthood. Jordan P. suggests that kids who are exposed to violent behaviour in their younger days have a higher tendency of repeating similar behaviour as adults in a similar relationship.
– Subculture influence
A survey done in the USA among students in Detroit & Michigan Huesmann identified that kids who were born in the USA were more inclined to violence than kids who have come from other countries, especially after the age of 11 indicating that the culture does nurture violence among individuals. In a cultural norm, the morality acceptance of violence is a key part of nurtured aggression where the individual feels it as accepted behaviour. Higher rates of domestic abuse in South Asian countries, and high restrictions on women in some middle Eastern countries are part of the Subculture based aggression.
- Aggression influenced by media: Symbolic Modelling
The use of analogies, resembling activities from movies, and video games and seen in the environment have a greater influence on violence. According to Lefrancois, symbolic modelling is common among children and many resemble what they observe. This has become a crucial influence on nurtured aggression as symbolic modelling is one of the effective learning methods. Children who identify with certain characteristics from the media or games tend to learn, imitate and behave the same way. In most situations, individuals find it an attractive way to express themselves and they try to imitate the personality they have observed on TV, the internet etc. Symbolic Modelling plays an integral part in frustration- based aggression where many try to replicate a situation as a mode of communication.
Numerous experiments and longitudinal research studies evidently support that aggression is predominantly natural. However aggressive behaviour cannot be limited to Nature. We cannot undermine the role of environmental stimuli and learned behaviour contributing to aggressive behaviour as much as inherent nature. Inherited aggression may not become a behaviour in the absence of external stimuli. Concluding that nurturing is an important and undeniable factor contributing to aggressive behaviour in an individual and not limited to nature alone.
