Aggression Is It ‘Nature’ or ‘Nurture’

Why some children are more aggressive than others? Bandura & Walters (1959) defines aggression as any behaviour harbouring the goal or intention to cause hurt, harm to another human, or destruction to an object. Nativists like Noam Chomsky would answer this question according to the theory of nativism – that a person’s character traits and learning abilities are inborn and hard-coded in his genes, hence ascribing it to Nature. On the contrary, environmentalists like Albert Bandura and B.F. Skinner argue that it is the environment which influence a person’s learning and behaviour- the Nurture aspect. Others who refuse to adopt an either-or radical approach, attempt to amalgamate both schools of thought and look at how our genetic makeup and environment influence and interact with each other. In this paper, we shall explore the influences of Nature and Nurture on children aggression.

Utilizing strategies and techniques to effectively manage anger can be difficult, the lack of anger management can result in serious consequences. The literature suggest that problems related to anger and aggression can cause difficulty in many areas of life. In addition, it can cause impaired functionality for

Some may perceive aggression as unhealthy and anti social but managed in a positive way can be empowering and enabling to individuals, groups and society as a whole.

The cognitive-neoassociation theory of aggression, otherwise known as the negative affect theory, was proposed by the American social psychologist Leonard Berkowitz. The theory suggests that certain experiences, or affects, can contribute toward the onset of aggressive feelings or behaviour. These affects can range from weather conditions (e.g. high temperatures) to unpleasant external stimuli (e.g. odours and sounds). Concurrently, the theory advocates that merely observing different types of aggressive behaviour can prompt aggression within the viewer. Given these points, an intriguing question comes to mind: might the implications of this theory be that repetitive exposure to catalysts of aggression increases a person’s inclination to be confrontational?

Aggression is defined as “any form of behavior directed toward the goal of harming of injuring another live being who is motivated to avoid such treatment” (Baron, 1994). While hostile aggression is thoughtless behavior that is driven by a desire to hurt others. In addition, “Hostile aggression occurs when the primary goal of an action or behavior is to make the victim suffer. Hostile aggression behavior includes punching someone out of anger or pushing someone down the stairs causing physical and mental injury to that person. Individuals who participate in hostile aggression, then, are simply seeking to harm or injure the target of their attack” (Anderson & Bushman, 2011). Whereas, instrumental aggression primary goal is to cause harm or injury to another person for any type of reward. Some example of instrumental aggression include shoplifting, terrorist attack, armed robbery and a kid who bullies others to get their lunch or

Aggression and violence are common in every day life, so common everyone is exposed to it. Krahe’ defines aggression as behavior that has intention to inflict negative consequences on a target with an expectancy the action will have a particular outcome (2001).There are an innumerable amount of studies to explain why aggression and violence occur, which are ranged from social and biosocial explanations as seen by the frustration and aggression theory (Dollard, 1939), the excitement transfer theory (Zillman, 1979), and the social learning theory (Bandura, 1961). Also ranged from biological theories, such as, psychodynamic (Freud, 1920), evolutionary (Buss, 1990), and ethological (Lorenz, 1966). Aggression has many forms, from social, verbal and physical aggression and other serious kinds of violence (Karriker-Jaffe, Foshee, Ennett, & Suchindran, 2008). Based on theories and studies; I will propose my FIVEstop approach, which are 5 solutions that may help reduce aggressive in society, and why the solutions may work.

General Aggression Model (GAM) represents a theoretical basis for social-cognitive integrated model of human aggression, and aims at the interpretation of the connection between the motivation of aggression, and the following aggressive behavior, aggressive effect (i.e., physiological stimulation), aggressive cognition, (i.e., thoughts), reduced pro-social behavior, and reduced empathy (i.e., emotional facets) (Anderson and Bushman, 2001; Barlett and Anderson 2013). As a process model, GAM can be divided into two explanatory mechanisms; a) proximate and distal GAM (Anderson & Carnagey, 2004) or b) proximate GAM as single-episode GAM and multiple-episode GAM (see. Anderson & Bushman, 2001) as (long-term) effects of repetitive violence viewing (Barlett & Anderson, 2013).

This paper provided the reader information on two theoretical explanations of violence. The two theories that were discussed was excitation transfer theory and displaced aggression theory. The two theories were defined, compared, analyzed and supported by scholarly studies. The reader at should have a better understanding of the two selected theoretical explanations of

Anderson and Bushman describe human aggression as "any behaviour directed toward another individual that is carried out with the proximate (immediate) intent to cause harm. In addition, the

There has been much research into aggression and different factors in which are seen to have provoked or increase levels of aggression. Aggression can be defined in terms of an act or a feeling of anger that provokes an individual to act violently either causing themselves or another individual harm. Aggression is quite broad, so it could be due to a number of different situational factors. The issues and debates that have to be unfolded within the argument into aggression is to find out why humans act aggressively, but more specifically focus on the factors in which provoke this aggressive behaviour within humans. It will also focus on cultural differences within aggression and how aggression and its views are different in certain cultures. Lastly, it will look at what other key elements within aggression situational centered factors seem to ignore.

Aggression according to Leonard Berkowitz on his book - Aggression: It’s causes, consequences and control - can be classified in two different types: a) instrumental and b) affective or emotional. Both types of aggression contribute to unhappiness and distress in social relationships and tear at the social fabric. Certain assaults that are carried out with the hope of gaining a no-injurious objective such as social status, enhanced self-identity, money, or the

Aggression is usually defined by researchers as intentional physical or psychological injury to another person or to property according to Dr. Karen Lea (2016). Lea continued by stating that, “Aggression is a behavior to be controlled, reduced, or eliminated. It is, I agree, harmful, hurtful, antisocial, and immoral.” Based on this definition and statement, aggression is most definitely a negative aspect of our society. Aggression has many negative consequences in all of our lives. The consequences can be financial, physical, and/or psychological. I have spent several hours contemplating how aggression has, indeed, impacted my own life, my family, my friends, and my students. I have concluded that the negative impacts caused by aggression have far outnumbered the positive impacts in my life and the lives of those around me. Can aggression be used to deal with a difficult situation?

Aggression is an overt behaviour of a person that aims to harm another individual it is one of the most common maladjustment forms of a behavioural pattern seen children Roll, Judith, Koglin, Ute, & Petermann, Franz. (2012). From a developmental outlook, childhood aggression is a noteworthy phenomenon because it is highly stable and it is associated with negative outcomes such as juvenile delinquency, low educational and occupational status, and poor quality of social relationships. In a number of studies have indicated that the most common form of aggression at school is physical and verbal aggression (Popp, 2003). By verbal aggression, we mean calling names, nicknames, and spreading rumors that results in social stigmatism and exclusion. Aggression may sever different functions that are it can either be reactive or proactive aggression. Reactive aggression is a reaction towards a real provocation and proactive aggression is deliberate Roll, Judith, Koglin, Ute, & Petermann, Franz. (2012). When a child at a young age exhibits high levels of aggression this becomes a cause of concerns as it is warning sign for future problems. The question here is what causes children to behave highly aggressive is it the faulty parenting style, deficit in the way the child processes information or social cue to address the social situation or the way the child regulates their emotions. Roll, Judith, Koglin, Ute, & Petermann, Franz. (2012). Aggression today has become a serious issue thus

Aggression is indeed the dark of human nature. Aggression can have the angry feeling or aggressive thoughts and can be intentional rather than accidental. (Bushman, 2017). A person who has aggressive behavior can cause physical or emotional harm to others which can range from verbal or physical abuse. Aggression behavior can be category as social and psychological risk factors. (What Is Aggressive Behavior?, 2017). The reason why aggression behavior can fall under social risk factors because of the physical health, mental stages, poor family and friend relationships, work or school environment, poverty, stress or frustration, socioeconomic factors and life experiences of a person.

Generally, aggression is a behavior that is antagonistic and could be done without any provocation or could be because of retaliation. Maccoby and Jacklin (1974) defined aggression as a “loose cluster of actions and motives . . .” with “the intent of one individual to hurt another” (p. 227). While there are a variety of ways in which people can harm one another, only a small percentage is caused by rational behavior (Buss, 1961). Physical psychological, economical, or societal damage are all considered harm towards others (Baron & Richardson, 1994). In general, harm toward others is if a person has experienced ab aversive consequence as a result of someone else’s actions (Baron & Richardson, 1994).