Psychological and Social Influences on Aggression

Definition

These are factors that can impact a person's likelihood to behave aggressively. Psychological influences might include personality traits or mental health conditions, while social influences could be things like peer pressure or societal norms.

Related terms

Social Learning Theory:

Theory suggesting we learn social behaviors by observing & imitating others' behaviors and being rewarded or punished.

Cognitive Dissonance:

The state of having inconsistent thoughts, beliefs, or attitudes which produces feelings of discomfort leading to an alteration in one's attitudes or behavior to reduce discomfort and restore balance.

Frustration-Aggression Hypothesis:

Principle stating that frustration - the perception that you're being prevented from achieving a goal - often leads to aggression.