Esther Kinder Aggression
Introduction
Who has never lived an aggressive situation? Whether they are on the aggression side
or the victim side, the effects can impact someone’s entire life. This is mainly caused by the
worldview and personality traits associated with it. Aggression is a complex subject, and this
chapter looks at the possible causes of aggression.2
Body
Aggression, theoretical models
Two main types of aggression can be identified. Proactive aggression is a behavior
that is used to get to a specific end (Kassin et al, 2021). It is also called instrumental
aggression and it has a specific goal (Kassin et al, 2021). Retroactive aggression is a type of
aggression that is inflicted just for the sake of hurting someone (Kassin et al, 2021).2
Symbolic interactionism tries to describe how people understand each other and act based on
the meanings and symbols they use (Chadee, 2022). Symbols are either socially constructed
or real (Chadee, 2022). They are used intentionally to communicate and arouse similar
responses. Symbols also play an important role in constructing a culture (Mead, 1922).2
2One of the most used symbols is words. People’s actions are based on the meaning
they associate with it. The sources of meanings are the different social interactions someone
has. A person can change their meanings if they change their interpretation (Blumer, 1969).22
Three models can be identified for models of action. Behaviorism underlines that the
stimulus causes a response (Chadee, 2022). The social learning theory states that the stimulus
and the response are separated by an organism (Chadee, 2022). The organism plays the role of
mediator between the stimulus and the response. Lastly, social behaviorism states the stimulus
is followed by the cognition and culture, which is followed by the symbol (Chadee, 2022).
The symbol is then followed by another cognition and culture stop, which then causes the
response (Chadee, 2021).2
Esther Kinder Aggression
Factors causing aggression.
Some gender differences can be seen in aggressive behaviors. Males generally present
more aggressive behaviors than females (Kassin et al, 2021). In the younger population,
physical aggression is more common among boys than girls (Kassin et al, 2021). However,
when it comes to indirect or relational aggression, girls present the same if not a higher level
of aggression as boys (Kassin et al, 2021). Indirect aggression is a form of aggression that
uses lies to get another person into trouble . Amongst indirect aggression, relational
aggression can be found. This form of aggression is directly directed at the victim’s social
status (Kassin et al, 2021). It uses threats to end a friendship, or engage in gossiping or
backbiting behavior (Kassin et al, 2021). This form is used to try to influence the victim’s
social support group to dislike them.2
Some factors influence a person’s likeliness to become aggressive. Agreeableness,
conscientiousness, openness to experience, extraversion, and neuroticism are all factors that
can influence someone’s propensities toward aggression (Kassin et al, 2021). Low openness
and high neuroticism are a combination that is strongly associated with aggression levels
(Kassin et al, 2021).22
The feeling of provocaion can be a trigger to aggressiveness but should not be an
excuse for it. However, when a person is provoked, they can feel threatened, insulted, or
stressed and this can provoke some reactions (Kassin et al, 2021). Type A personalities
associated with impulsivity are traits that are positively correlated with aggression in response
to provocation (Kassin et al, 2021).2
Parenting style also has an impact on aggression level. Negative parenting style was
related to an increase in the kids becoming a victim at school and later in life (Lereya et al,
2013). The perception of low socio-economic status is also associated with how well they can
manage their emotions (Greitemeyer & Sagloglou, 2016)
Esther Kinder Aggression
The Dark Triad of Aggression
The Dark Triad of aggression refers to three personality traits that are strongly
associated with aggression (Kassin et al, 2021). The three personality traits are
Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism (Kassin et al, 2021).2
Someone with the Machiavellianism personality trait will commonly use manipulation
(Kassin et al, 2021). Psychopathy involves being impulsive and lacking empathy (Kassin et
al, 2021). Narcissists have an inflated sense of self are very sensitive to perceived insults
(Kassin et al, 2021).
Psychopathy is also part of the Dark Triad. A characteristic of psychopathy is poor
self-control (Kassin et al, 2021). Self-control is also a trait that is strongly associated with
aggression (Kassin et al, 2021). Therefore, increasing self-control is a good way to decrease
aggression levels.2
Narcissism is one of the three traits of the Dark Triad of aggression and violence (Kassin et al,
2021). People presenting narcissism traits are particularly sensitive to provocation and
consistently show aggression in response to it (Kassin et al, 2021). This aggression is
specifically high when the provocation, or the assumed provocation is public (Kassin et al,
2021). Cooley states that self-identity comes from what someone imagines and how they
appear to those around them (Cooley, 1926). For Mean, self-identity is built through a process
in which the “I” reacts to the reflective “me”.2
People who present the Dark Triad personality traits tend to have a hostile attribution bias.
This bias influences the person to perceive hostile intent in others’ actions when they do not
intend harm at all.2
Esther Kinder Aggression
Conclusion
Aggression is a complex behavior that can have many different factors. When taking an
aggressive person in charge, it is important to consider all the possible factors that could be
causing their aggressive behavior.2
References
Blumer, H. (1969). Symbolic interactionism: Perspective and method. Englewood Cliffs, NJ:
Prentice Hall.
Chadee, D. (2022).2Theories in social psychology (2nd ed.). John Wiley & Sons, Inc. ISBN:
9781119627883.
Cooley, C. H. (1926). The roots of social knowledge.2American Journal of Sociology,232(1),
59–79. https://doi.org/10.1086/214025
Greitemeyer, T., & Sagioglou, C. (2016). Subjective socioeconomic status causes aggression:
A test of the theory of social deprivation. Journal of Personality and Social
Psychology, 111(2), 178–194. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspi0000058
Kassin, S., Fein, S., & Markus, H. R. (2021).2Social psychology2(11th ed). Cengage Learning.
ISBN: 9780357122846
2Lereya, S. T., Samara, M., & Wolke, D. (2013). Parenting behavior and the risk of becoming
a victim and a bully/victim: A meta-analysis study. Child Abuse & Neglect, 37(12),
1091–1108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2013.03.001
Mead, G. H. (1922). A behavioristic account of the significant symbol.2The Journal of
Philosophy,219(6), 157. https://doi.org/10.2307/2939827
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
