Frustration - aggression hypothesis

• Who came up with the theory?

  Dollard et al
• Introduction?

  • Dollard et al formulated that frustration always leads to aggression. It is when we are stopped from doing something we want. It can lead to aggressive physical or non-verbal behaviour. 
  • The hypothesis is based on catharsis where emotional releases of anger can make us feel better. We feel better for “getting it off our chest”. 
  • It is argued that the frustration can increase more if our motivation for doing something is strong. 
• Why might people be aggressive?

  • It is not appropriate to be aggressive sometimes. There are 3 reasons:

  1. The cause of frustration is too powerful and we risk punishment (like at work)
  2. Cause is abstract - government
  3. The cause of our frustration is not available at the time

  • In these situations, your aggression is displaced onto something else available or weaker, kicking the dog effect. To experience catharsis, you need a scapegoat.
• Key study?

  Russell Green (1968) - Male university students were given an opportunity to solve a jigsaw puzzle. There were 3 levels of frustration: 

  1. The puzzle was impossible 
  2. Interfering confederate 
  3. Confederate insulted the participant for not solving the puzzle

  They had an opportunity to shock the confederate when they made mistakes and level of shocks. There was also a non-frustrated group.
• Findings of key study?

  • They found that the frustrated groups on average delivered more stronger shocks overall.
  • Insulted “p” delivered the strongest shock followed by the interfering confederate and then the impossible jigsaw task.
• Deterministic?

  • The theory is deterministic, suggesting that frustration always leads to aggression.
  • Frustration will not always lead to aggression and aggression will not always be caused by frustration.
  • Berkowitz (1989) reformed the hypothesis as the negative affect theory. He argues that aggression is caused by general negative feelings rather than just frustration.
  • It acknowledges that it is part of the negative feelings (pain) that cause aggression but that it can also cause anxiety or despair.
• Other factors evaluation?

  • Other environmental factors can also have an effect on aggression.
  • Berkowitz claimed that frustration increased aggression but environmental factors increased the actual likelihood of it happening.
  • A lab study arranged student participants to be electrocuted by a confederate, increasing their readiness for frustration. There were 2 conditions:

  1. The first condition had 2 guns near the shock generator - 6.01
  2. The second condition had no guns near the shock generator - 4.67
• Application of other factors?

  • Environmental cues DO affect aggression.
  • This has been applied to the debate in America where carrying a gun does not have to be concealed.
  • This could trigger aggressive outbursts and the frustration hypothesis does not take into account these factors
• Supporting evidence for displaced aggression?

  • Supporting evidence for displaced aggression comes from Marcus-newhall et al (2000).
  • They carried out a meta-analysis of 49 studies and concluded displaced aggression is a reliable phenomenon.
  • P’s who were provoked but unable to retaliate were more likely to be aggressive against an innocent party. This support the theory predictions. 
• Catharsis challenge evaluation?

  • The idea of catharsis has been challenged.
  • Some argue that hitting a punching bag when you are angry can actually make you angrier or not reduce it at all.
  • Venting aggression is like putting out fire. It can keep aggressive thoughts in your memory and make you angrier.
  • This casts doubt on the validity of the hypothesis as it is contrary to its predictions. 
• Real life implications?

  • One strength of this theory is that it has real world implications as it has been applied to many mass killings.
  • They are usually due to economic or social difficulties. It leads to scapegoating or discrimination.
  • After WW1, Jews were scapegoated for losing the war and the economic problems.
  • Although ordinary Germans did not commit the killing, historians argue it was the widespread frustration that may have condoned it.