Brandi Bannister PSY 216 Chapter 12 Questions

NAME _____________ PSY 216 Aggression Questions
1. Describe the role of testosterone in aggression. In your answer describe the Challenge
Hypothesis and the Dual-Hormone Hypothesis.
It is commonly believed that the male hormone testosterone fuels aggression, everyone has
testosterone, but males have a higher amount. Testosterone may lead to more aggression
based on our reduced ability to control impulses. Testosterone is related to the reduced
activity in the orbital frontal cortex of the brain which is the key area of the brain for
impulse control and self-regulation.
It is important to note that the link between testosterone and aggression heavily depend on
the social situation. For example the Challenge Hypothesis state that testosterone and
aggression are only related when the opportunity for reproduction is high. The Dual
Hormone Hypothesis only relates to dominate behaviors when cortisol is low.
2. You witness a man punch another man in the stomach. Explain how this action could be
considered hostile aggression, instrumental aggression, or not an act of aggression.
This is a hostile aggression, likely emotionally triggered by anger or fear.
3. According to evolutionary psychologists, aggression may be (or may have been) adaptive in
humans. Explain how aggression could help a male pass on his genes.
Aggression is genetically programmed into them because it enables them to defent their
group and perpetuate their genes.
4. Some people argue that aggression is innate rather than learned. Describe research evidence
that genetics are not the whole story behind animal aggression.
Aggression is determined by the animal’s previous experiences as well as by the specific
social context in which the animal finds itself.
5. Explain the role of social conditions in changing the Iroquois tribe from peaceable people to
fierce warriors.
The role of external and internal social pressures likely contributed to the tribe being
peaceable to fierce warriors.
6. Explain what a “culture of honor” is, its origin, and how being raised in a culture of honor
can influence aggression.
A “culture of honor” originated in herding societies. In herding societies protecting your
property and reputation was important for survival. In this culture threats to someone’s
honor would be met with an aggressive response.
Culture of honor can influence aggression has a lot to do with how someone is raised.
Learning while growing up to retaliate against disrespect or insults influences this type of
aggression.
7. Explain the nature of the gender differences in aggression in humans.

In adults there isn’t a difference in aggression, it appears to be the same in both male and
female.
8. Imagine you have a friend who is typically quiet, thoughtful, and reserved. However, when
your friend drinks, you can never tell what she is going to do. One minute your friend is
dancing wildly and having a great time, but the next minute she is reacting aggressively to
being slightly nudged by another dancer. Describe two reasons presented in the text for why
alcohol would have such an effect on your friend.
Alcohol lowers social inhibitions- dancing wildly
Think-drink effect- reacting aggressively to being slightly nudged
9. During the late 1960s and early 1970s, national leaders were concerned about a phenomenon
they called “the long, hot summer.” They were concerned that given an unpopular war and
strained race relations, civil unrest and even riots would occur during the summer months.
Was the long, hot summer a myth? No it was not a myth
10. According to the frustration-aggression theory, frustration—the perception that we are being
prevented from reaching a goal—does not always lead to aggression. What factors increase
the odds that frustrated people will aggress?
The perception that they are being prevented from attaining a goal
11. Because violence is of concern to social psychologists and the public, a great deal of
research has focused on the effects of exposure to televised violence on both children and
adults. Many studies have found support for social-learning theory explanations for the
effects of violent television. What are five reasons why television violence contributes to
aggressive behavior in children and adults? Norms, Observational Learning, Misattribution,
Habituation and Self- Fulfilling Prophacy
12. Your six-year-old brother has developed some very distressing habits. He has become
increasingly aggressive, destroying toys, hitting the neighbors’ children, and threatening
them with violence to take their toys away. You want to stop your little brother’s destructive
behavior using punishment. What would be the best way to do this?
The best way is to not be reactive, highlight positive things the child does, in this instance
removing them from the situation.
13. How would a cognitive dissonance theorist counter the Freudian argument that catharsis—
blowing off steam to relieve the buildup of destructive aggressive impulses—will reduce
aggression? Use an example of yelling or using sarcasm to vent our anger at someone who
has angered us. This is catharsis. Using sarcasm to vent our anger to someone can decrease
the anger and allow it to simmer down.
14. You’ve just finished reading Chapter 12 on aggression. Your roommate—a chemistry major
—is fascinated by all the interesting things you have learned in your social psychology
course and asks you, “Well, if anger sometimes leads to aggression, what am I supposed to
do?” What would you say to her? Take a minute to count or do some breathing exercises.
15. Are school shootings such as the Columbine massacre simply the result of deranged
individuals acting independently? Yes What does social psychology suggest about why
school shootings occur and about how the problem might be addressed? We need to address
bullying before it comes to these extremes, also bringing about change in the negative and
exclusion social behavior and by building empathy among school children

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NAME _____________ PSY 216 Aggression Questions

7. Explain the nature of the gender differences in aggression in humans.

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