This paper explores the influence of aggressive behavior, Frustration, and Instincts . What acts are aggressive? Is aggression an instinct? What psychological influences (eg. Frustration) do you experience prior to behaving or thinking aggressively?

Influence of aggressive behavior

Lecture Exercise #8 – Please submit your responses to the following questions. Full marks will be given for thorough responses that explain your thoughts and beliefs about the topics. 1. Aggression, Frustration, Instincts Consider your definition of aggressive behavior. What acts are aggressive? Is aggression an instinct? What psychological influences (eg. Frustration) do you experience prior to behaving or thinking aggressively? 2. What kind of people become torturers? Most people imagine that only “monsters” or psychopaths can routinely humiliate, torture, or murder others.

Influence of aggressive behavior

In fact, numerous studies in social psychology have shown how everyday, “normal” people can commit unthinkable acts caused by the step-by-step power of the situation. Many of the same mechanisms manipulated in laboratory studies have been shown to underlie the origins of human torture and slaughter (Staub, 1989). In one study, Gibson and Haritos-Fatouros (1986) investigated the procedures used to train Greek military police to become willing torturers. They discuss such foot-in-the-door techniques as the following: Basic training physically brutal initiation rites swearing allegiance to symbol of authority.

Influence of aggressive behavior

Reducing sensitivity to torture recruits endure torture and scream chants about violence and killing Systematic desensitization and social modelling recruits gradually exposed to prisoners (bring food) watch veterans torture and be rewarded for torturing participate in group beatings eventually perform solo beatings Discuss: what psychological mechanisms (e.g. cognitive dissonance,upward/downward social comparisons, stereotyping) are at work here? What can ordinary people do to prevent themselves from becoming complicit in harming others? https://youtu.be/mk8w3bzEJYU

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