Psychology behind Aggression

In psychology, aggression often covers a wide range of behaviours that can cause physical or mental harm to oneself or others. Aggression and violence are often driven by negative emotions like fear or anger. For instance, a person may react aggressively if they are provoked by someone else or feel threatened by the possibility of any harm. Also, behaviours that do not harm others are not considered aggressive. Aggressive behaviour involves actions that intentionally cause harm to others, whether physically, verbally, relationally or psychologically. For instance,

• Physical aggression includes actions like beating, kicking, hitting with an object, throwing something at someone, or damaging property.
• Verbal aggression includes behaviours such as name-calling, teasing, bullying, mocking, or yelling.
• Relational aggression involves spreading rumours or taking actions to harm someone’s relationships with others.
• Also cyberbullying falls under non-physical aggression, where individuals use digital platforms to harass, intimidate, or harm others psychologically or emotionally.

Everyone experiences moments of aggression at times and may express themselves assertively, but when aggression becomes persistent or
intense, it can indicate an underlying health condition such as substance use disorder or similar issues.

Read More: How the media influence aggression?

Types of Aggression

There are two main types of aggression;

1. Hostile Aggression

Also known as impulsive or reactive aggression is typically triggered by external factors and often happens impulsively rather than being planned. This type of aggression is commonly associated with strong emotions like anger, which can activate the brain’s threat response system involving areas such as the amygdala, hypothalamus, and periaqueductal gray. This can lead to impulsive acts of aggression in the heat of the moment. For example, Yelling at someone who cuts you off in heavy traffic. You don’t plan to act aggressively; it just happens in the heat of the moment.

2.Instrumental Aggression

Also known as predatory aggression, is driven by a specific end goal. This type of aggression is carefully planned and executed to achieve that goal. Areas of the brain involved can include the prefrontal cortex which is responsible for decision-making and planning, also the regions responsible for motor control help achieve the desired outcome through aggression.

For example, During a robbery, the person’s primary aim is to obtain money. They have planned their actions and will harm anyone who interferes to achieve their goal. This type of aggression is focused on reaching a specific end goal, such as acquiring money, and the individual is willing to take aggressive actions to accomplish it.

1. Passive Aggression

Passive aggression, another type of aggression is a way of expressing anger indirectly instead of openly. It’s a way people use to hurt and confuse others. These behaviours are difficult to identify but can easily sabotage relationships. This might happen as a result of underlying feelings of resentment and anger suppressed and expressed in subtle ways. To understand passive-aggression better, here are some indications

Read More: Passive Aggressive Behaviour in the Workplace

• Silent treatment
• Talking about what bothers them to someone else instead of telling the person they’re upset with.
• Sarcastic comments (saying “Great job!” when someone makes a mistake)
• Backhanded compliments (like “We can do whatever you want. Your ideas are probably better than mine.”)

Read More: Passive Aggression Behavior – A Obstruction in Relationships Growth

Signs of Aggression in Children

Kids and teenagers often do not express aggression like adults. Some signs maybe,

• Over explosive tantrums
• Insulting peers to provoke a reaction
• Using toys or other objects as weapons
• Stealing or lying
• Damaging other peers’ belongings
• Hurting animals

In teenagers, it might be as follows

• Threatening to harm others or themselves
• Heightened irritability, anger or impulsivity
• Yelling at parents or siblings
• Teasing, bullying peers

Causes of Aggressive Behaviors

Aggressive behaviours typically arise from a combination of factors rather than a single cause. Various factors such as biological, psychological or environmental might contribute to the combination.

Biological factors

Changes in chemistry or alterations in some biological factors of the body can lead to aggression. Genetics, mutations in specific genes, such as Monoamine Oxidase, which are responsible for metabolizing neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine in the brain, can lead to aggression. Irregular brain development, increased activity in the amygdala and reduced activity in the prefrontal cortex can contribute to aggression. Also, brain lesions resulting from neurodegenerative disorders can lead to aggressive behaviour.

Imbalances in brain chemicals or hormones, including abnormal levels of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, or gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), can contribute to aggressive behaviour. Elevated levels of testosterone can also induce aggression across genders, as it is present in both males and females. Side effects, from prescribed medications or other substance uses may result in aggressive behavior. For example, intake of anabolic steroids, corticosteroids, alcohol and phencyclidine (PCP) Medical conditions, that affect the brain, such as stroke, dementia, and head
injuries can also lead to aggressive behaviour.

Psychological factors

Aggressive behavior can sometimes be a symptom of an underlying mental health condition including,

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Bipolar disorder
• Conduct disorder
• Intermittent explosive disorder
• Substance use disorder
• Oppositional and defiant disorder(ODD)
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD)
• Schizophrenia
• Depression
• Chronic stress
• Personality disorders like borderline, antisocial and narcissistic personality disorders

However, aggression is not solely determined by having a mental health condition or diagnosis; it depends on the individual’s nature and circumstances. It’s important to note that being aggressive does not necessarily indicate a mental health condition, nor does having a potential diagnosis automatically make you aggressive towards others.

Environmental factors

Everyone faces their struggles and challenges in life. The everyday environment and circumstances one lives in can significantly contribute to the development of aggressive behaviour. Certain factors like social interactions, stressors, cultural influences, and social media play a pivotal role in shaping behaviours, including aggression.

For instance, aggression might also be a response to stress or depression. When you don’t know how to handle tough situations in life, you sometimes respond to them with aggression. One might be aggressive when grown up, frequently exposed to aggression and violence in their environment. Childhood experiences involving,

• Abusive parents or caretakers
• Unfair treatment from teachers or peers
• Growing up in a community where violence occurred frequently can also result in aggressive behavior later in life.

The causes of aggression in children and teens are often the same. It’s crucial to know that young minds don’t know how to respect the boundaries and rights of other people. Children who witness aggression tend to become aggressive. It’s often the way they express themselves.

Psychological Theories behind Aggression

Theories provide insights that broaden our perspective and help us understand that aggression is a part of human behavior influenced by certain circumstances and environments. They offer explanations for why aggression occurs and how it manifests in different situations. Three main theories that contribute to our understanding of the reasons behind aggression include,

1. Frustration-Aggression Theory

The frustration-aggression theory proposes that when individuals are prevented from achieving a goal or fulfilling a desire, they may experience frustration. This frustration can turn into aggressive behaviour if triggered by certain stimuli or circumstances. For example, if You fail a well-prepared exam, this results in frustration. That frustration stays so until someone unknown says, “You’re such a loser to not pass this test” triggering feelings of aggression in response. Frustration sometimes can be displaced onto others, particularly when we feel powerless in a situation.

Or When you’re boss belittles you and says, “You’re good for nothing”. You get frustrated and angry but also feel helpless. Later, when you meet a friend who seems unaffected, their relaxed attitude might trigger your frustration, causing you to yell at them. This is another example that illustrates how unresolved frustration can lead to misdirected anger(aggression). Thus the frustration-aggression theory.

2. Social Learning theory

Social learning theory, proposed by Albert Bandura is the most influential theory of learning and development. According to this theory, people acquire new information and behaviours by observing others, a process known as observational learning or modelling. For example, A child grows up in an aggressive household where yelling and physical conflict are common. This environment teaches him that aggression is an acceptable way to handle conflict. Later, at school, he might mimic this behaviour by yelling at his classmates during any disagreements or even pushing them during arguments. Children easily learn and adopt these aggressive behaviors resulting in difficulties in building healthy relationships in the future. This is what the theory suggests. Thus the social learning theory.

3. Instinct theory of aggression

Below are the various held opinions about the instinct theory, Drive theory, states that humans have an innate biological drive for sex and hunger,
and they become naturally aggressive to satisfy those primary needs. This drive cannot be eliminated but should be managed for the benefit of society. Sigmund Freud believed that two basic human instincts drive human behaviour.

• Life instinct (eros)
• Death instinct (thanatos)

The life instinct (eros) is responsible for all positive affirming feelings like love, reproduction and survival whereas the death instinct (Thanatos) is responsible for all negative destructive behaviours like aggression, violence, war etc. Therefore Freud held the opinion that aggression stems from a strong death instinct which often may be due to some unresolved childhood issues or inner conflicts which can result in repressed aggression in adults. Konrad Lorenz, an Australian zoologist proposed that aggression stems from an inherited fighting instinct that human beings share with many other species.

This concept is based on observing the non-human species, where their aggression drives play a major role in survival of the fittest. Additionally, there is also a widely held fact that humans are the most cruellest and ruthless species to ever walk on Earth. Robert Ardrey, an American playwright and author explained in his book “African Genesis” that during the early development of our species, “We either attacked or starved”. So naturally our ancestors became hunters and aggressive because if not they’ll sleep with empty tummies.

Is Aggression an Addiction?

David Chester, an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology at the College of Humanities and Sciences has dedicated his research to a single question: “Why do people seek to harm others?”. He argued that aggression is not only influenced by negative emotions but also positive emotions. The pleasure, power, and sense of dominance associated with aggressive acts can serve as hedonic rewards, reinforcing this behaviour.

A team of four researchers, including Chester, discovered that the positive sensations associated with aggression are similar to those sensations experienced when under cocaine, engaging in risky sexual behaviours or gambling. This raises the question, “Why can’t aggression be considered an addiction and treated as well?” So they are planning to investigate this question in the upcoming months. They plan to investigate Naltrexone, a drug commonly used to treat opioid or alcohol use disorders.

This drug works by blocking pleasure sensations. When given to addicted individuals, it diminishes the enjoyable effects they typically experience when high. If aggression is an addiction, Naltrexone might serve as a treatment to reduce aggressive behaviour in people, potentially contributing to a more peaceful world. While this research is ongoing and results are not yet conclusive, it offers a fresh perspective on addressing aggression as a treatable condition. If it’s proven to be effective, then aggression can also be treated clinically.

Treatment for Aggression

Some of the existing therapies that might treat aggression are,

1. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): CBT helps you identify unhelpful behaviors and use good effective coping strategies to address them. The therapy does not dwell on past experiences, instead, it deals more with present issues. It helps in managing symptoms associated with stress, depression, personality disorders and other conditions.
2. Dialectical Behavior Therapy: Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) aids in developing and practicing essential skills for emotional regulation, fostering interpersonal relationships, and tolerating distress effectively through mindfulness practices, distraction techniques, self-soothing strategies, and crisis survival skills.
3. Interpersonal Therapy: Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) assists in developing and sustaining effective relationships with professional guidance focused on shaping behaviour towards others. It aids in improving communication skills, resolving conflicts, adjusting to life changes, or enhancing social support networks.
4. Psychodynamic therapy: Psychodynamic therapy aims to uncover the underlying causes of aggressive behavior. It often explores how past experiences, particularly unconscious conflicts and patterns from childhood, influence current behaviors, emotions, and relationships. It also offers strategies to address and overcome these challenges.
5. Parent management training: Parent Management Training helps to address ineffective parenting strategies and tense family dynamics that reinforce aggressive behavior. It also help parents learn better ways to handle discipline and improve family relationships, reducing behaviors like aggression.
6. Medications: Psychotropic drugs are drugs that affect mood, behavior, thoughts, perception. It also includes anti psychotics like risperidone (Risperdal) and haloperidol and mood stabilizers like carbamazepine (Tegretol), lithium, and valproic acid.

Conclusion

Aggression is often a by product of some other underlying factors such as biological, psychological, and environmental influences. By identifying and addressing those factors, professional interventions can be given to help reduce aggressive behaviours. Biological factors like brain chemistry and genetics, psychological factors such as stress or childhood trauma, and environmental factors including upbringing and social influences all play a major role in shaping aggression.

Therapeutic approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Psychodynamic Therapy focus on understanding these factors and developing effective strategies for behaviour change. Medications like Psychotropics can be taken as prescribed by-product mental health professionals. Also, mood stabilizers can help in managing the symptoms associated with aggression. It’s important to note that effective professional interventions at the right time can help reduce aggressive behaviours. Therefore, psychology helps us comprehend aggression better viewing it from different perspectives and also providing various strategies to reduce it.