Social Psychological Explanations of Human Aggression (AQA A Level Psychology)

A psychologist is investigating causes of aggressive behaviour. She interviews teenagers who have been in trouble at school. She asks them to describe their family and early childhood, recording everything that they say. She also looks at information in the teenagers’ school reports.

Referring to this investigation, explain the difference between primary and secondary data.

Discuss the frustration-aggression hypothesis as an explanation for human aggression.

John was arrested for fighting with supporters of a rival team after a football match. He explained to the police officer why he was aggressive. The police officer noted John’s comments in her notebook. Table 5 below shows some of John’s comments.

Table 5

Discuss one or more social psychological explanations for aggression. Refer to some of the comments in Table 5 in your answer.

Describe how de-individuation is involved in aggression.

Evaluate the role of de-individuation in aggression.

Describe and evaluate the social learning theory of human aggression.