A03 f-a hyp

• Point: :) the frustration-aggression hypothesis, supporting evidence

  Evidence: For example, a meta-analysis of 50 studies on displaced aggression investigated situations in which aggressive behaviour had to be directed onto a target other than the source.

  Explain: The results showed participants who were provoked but were unable to retaliate directly against the source of the frustrations were more likely to act aggressively against an innocent person.

  Link: Therefore, this adds validity to the explanation as this outcome would be predicted by the frustration-aggression hypothesis.
• Point: On the other hand, a limitation of this explanation is that there is research to suggest that aggression may not be cathartic after all.

  Evidence: For example, Bushman (2000) has shown that participants who vented their anger by repeatedly hitting a punch bag actually became more aggressive rather than less.

  Explain: The most effective way of reducing aggression was doing nothing.

  Link: Therefore, this challenges the validity of the frustration-aggression hypothesis as its central assumption of catharsis fails to predict this outcome.
• may be inadequate as aggression can occur without frustration

  Evidence: e.g, Berkowitz ('89) that aggression is triggered by -ve feelings generally, rather than frustration specifically.

  Explain: This has => to the reformulation of the hypothesis, states that a range of negative feelings (frustration, jealousy, loneliness) can cause aggression & that frustration can => to a number of responses (despair, anxiety, helplessness)

  Link: Therefore, the 2nd version of the hypothesis may be > suitable as it can explain aggression in a wider range of situations compared to the original theory.
• :( fails to address & distinguish between different types of frustration, Dill+Anderson (1995) had experimenter explain to the pcts how to do origami task, but made difficult by going too quickly. results - in unjustified condition (experimenter said had to hurry coz of gf waiting) pcts produced > aggression comp to justified conditioning (experimenter said his boss told him finish quick)"although it shows that both types of frustration => to > aggression than the control, the hypothesis isn't able to explain why there's diff in justified & unjustified frustration, challenging validity.