This document is a term paper on the topic of aggression. It defines aggression as behavior intended to cause harm between members of the same species. It discusses different types of aggression including physical, mental, and verbal. Several theories of aggression are outlined such as frustration-aggression theory and social learning theory. Causes, stressors, and methods for preventing and controlling aggression are also examined.

1. (TERM PAPER)
SMRITI KARAN
(B.A HONS)-2ND YR
APPLIED PSY.
ENROLLMENT NO.
A1506908012

2. INTRODUCTION:
In psychology ,as well as other social sciences, aggression
refers to behavior between members of the same species that
is intended to cause pain or harm.
Aggression takes variety of forms among humans and can
be:
 Physical
 Mental
 Verbal
Assertiveness (which is used interchangeably among
laypeople)

3. DEFINITION:
BERKOWITZ(1981)
-When people define someone as aggressive; they might be
saying that he frequently attempts to hurt others , or, that he
is often unfriendly, or, in a quite different sense:
 that he is typically very forceful and tries to get his own
way in his dealings with others , or,
 maybe that he assertively stands up for his beliefs , or,
 perhaps that he usually attempts to solve the problems
facing him.
It can be classified as a:
Behavior
Harm or Injury

4. TYPES OF AGGRESSION EXAMPLES
PHYSICAL-ACTIVE -DIRECT PUNCHING..
PHYSICAL-ACTIVE-INDIRECT HIRING AN ASSASIN TO KILL A
PERSON
PHYSICAL-PASSIVE-DIRECT PERFORMING A DESIRED ACT
PHYSICAL-PASSIVE-INDIRECT REFUSIN TO PERFORM
NECESSARY TASK
VERBAL-ACTIVE-DIRECT INSULTING
VERBAL-ACTIVE-INDIRECT GOSSIPING
VERBAL-PASSIVE-DIRECT REFUSING TO SPEAK
VERBAL-PASSIVE-INDIRECT FAILURE TO SPEAK FOR
SOMEONE’S DEFENSE

5. AGGRESSION INVOLVES AN AVOIDANCE-MOTIVATED
RECIPIENT
There are 2 broad categories of aggression:
• HOSTILE AGGRESSION: is to do something aggressive and
get some sort of satisfaction from it.
• INSTRUMENTAL AGGRESSION: it is basically to do act in
an aggressive way to preserve some kind of environmental
reward out of it.
Aggression in humans ranges through :
FEAR INDUCED AGGRESSION
PARENTAL DISCIPLINARY AGGRESSION
MATERNAL AGGRESSION
SEXUAL AGGRESSION

6. THEORIES OF AGGRESSION
Frustration- Aggression Theory
 Social Learning Theory
Instinctive-Aggression Theory
Excitation Transfer Theory
Cue Arousal Theory
Deindividuation

7. CAUSES OF AGGRESSION
Unfulfilled human needs and
desires
Neurosis
Desperation
Envy
Greed
Collectivism
Situational factors
Cultural factor

8. THE STRESSORS OF ENVIRONMENTAL
AGGRESSION
Temperature
Noise
Overcrowding
Media effect

9. PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF AGGRESSION
 Asking questions. The aggressor may simply want
attention, which he or she interprets as respect.
 Offering an apology.
 Setting firm limits but in a calm and non-confrontational
voice and manner.
 Asking the individual to leave the grounds.

10. TIPS TO CONTROL AGGRESSION
 Soothe yourself by practicing deep breathing exercises,
listening music and visualizing relaxing scenes.
 Count to 10 before reacting or leave the situation all together.
 Think carefully before you say anything.
 Try to work out solutions with the person who made you angry
 Try to defuse your anger by using humor.

11. CONCLUSION
Aggression is a behavioral characteristic that refers to forceful
actions or procedures with intentions to dominate or master.
It tends to be hostile, injurious, or destructive, and is often
motivated by frustration. For an individual, aggressive
behavior is considered understandable and normal under
appropriate circumstances, but when it is frequent, intense,
lasting, and pervasive, it is more likely to be a symptom of a
mental disorder.
Aggression between groups, can be in the form of healthy
competition, but can become harmful when unfair or unjust
disadvantage or frustration is perceived, leading to hostility.