Frustration aggression hypothesis

Social psychological explanations - any theory that argues aggression is the result of an interaction between an individual's characteristics and features of the situations in which behaviour occurs.

Frustration-aggression hypothesis (Dollard) - Anger, hostility and violence are always the outcome when we are prevented from achieving our goals. 

• Based on the psychodynamic concept of catharsis. 
• Our attempt to achieve a goal is blocked by some external factor, which results in frustration. This creates an aggression drive, which leads to aggressive behaviour. This reduces the drive, making further aggression less likely. 
• Proximity to the goal - closer to the goal = greater likelihood of aggression.
• Behaviour can also be displaced onto something/ someone else.
• Cause of frustration may be abstract.
• Risk of punishment - less likely to be aggressive.
• Cause unavailable…