psychodynamic

• Strength of the psychodynamic explanation

  • It is holistic (considering more than one factor that influenced behaviour), thus more valid than a reductionist explanation, such as hormones
• Weakness of the psychodynamic theory

  • It is not falsifiable, meaning we cannot prove or disprove it, thus lacks validity as it cannot accurately explain aggression
• Id


  The part of the personality driven by the pleasure principle, which functions only in the unconscious and is made up of selfish aggressive instincts that demand immediate gratification
• Ego


  The 'reality check' that balances the conflicting demands of the id and the superego
• Superego


  The moralistic part of the personality which represents the ideal self-how we ought to be
• Catharsis


  The process of releasing pent-up psychic energy
• Eros


  The life instinct, governing all behaviour and directed towards enhancing and sustaining life
• Thanatos


  The death instinct, an anti-Eros force directed towards annihilation and destruction of life, including one's own
• Unconscious


  Dominant Id
• Psychoanalysis


  1. Exploration of unconscious causes of aggression

  2. With a therapist

  3. In a safe environment
• Psychoanalysis


  Can be used to treat aggressive behaviour
• Psychoanalysis is useful to society as it can reduce aggressive behaviour
• Contradicting explanations of aggression

  Lowers validity
• weakness-completing explenations of agression

  Shackleford- evolution

  Hormones-dabbs