What Causes Aggression Is It an ‘Instinct’ or a ‘Learned...

What causes aggression? Is it an ‘instinct’ or a ‘learned behaviour’? (a) Compare and contrast the views of any two psychological domains on the causes of aggression. (b) Evaluate the validity of their claims in the order to reach an informed decision about the causes of aggression. In order to explore the causes of aggressive behaviour, we have to be clear about what we mean by aggressive behaviour. The psychological definitions of aggression are determined by theoretical perspectives and there is no consensus within or across the sciences about its components. For example some researchers support that aggression is an inborn, instinctive process based on which we intend to harm others. Such approaches adopt a definition that places†¦show more content†¦Their main focus has been to look at how the brain functions and how it can control aggression. The behaviourist approach view aggression as a learned behaviour and place significance on environmental influences rather then internal drives. They see aggression as a particular class of voluntary responses, which are acquired and modified by the means of reinforcement. This viewpoint emphasises the role of the situation rather than the person and individuals are seen as passive and as receptors of stimulation offered by the environment. The external world shapes learning by offering reinforcement and learning itself is seen as the outcome of associating certain behaviours with rewards or punishments. There are two main aspects of aggressive behaviour which have been supported by this approach: instrumental aggression and the role of frustration in aggression. Instrumental aggression is ‘aggressive behaviour which is maintained because it is positively reinforced’ (Glassman 2004, p.342). The primary goal of such aggression is not injury or harm to the victim; the aggr ession is simply a means to some other desired end. One such end could be self defence. Thus whenever the individual wishes to achieve the same environmental response, they demonstrate the same patterns of aggressive behaviour. In contrast not all acts of aggression lead to reinforcement and in contrast the individual may be punished. TheShow MoreRelatedChildren s Innate Desire For Adults Based On Rewards883 Words   |  4 Pagesdeciding the outcome of their behaviour and hence their aggressive conduct. Ferguson also discussed that aggression is distinctly different to violence. He explained the intention of the Bobo Doll to bounce back, conveyed the impression to the test subjects that it was going to hit them and thus, producing their survival instincts to ignite and respond by hitting the doll. 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