Social psychological explanation: Frustration-aggresion hypothesis

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FAH: Formulated by Dollard et al. Frustration leads to aggression and aggression is caused by frustration. Psychodynamic approach of cartharsis. When our attempt to achieve a goal is blocked this causes frustration which leads to aggression. It is cathartic as the aggression created by frustration is satisfied which reduces the drive to further aggression. Aggression isn't always expressed directly agaisnt the source as the source may be abstract, powerful which risks punishment, or unavailable at the time. Thus, aggression is displaced onto alternative.

Research: Glen - Male uni students given jigsaw puzzle. Level of frustration was experimentally manipulated. One group had an impossible to solve puzzle, another group ran out of time as a confederate kept interrupting, and another group had a confederate that would insult them. When they were given the chance to give the confedertae shocks for making a mistake, the insulted group gave the strongest groups, followed by the interrupted group and then the other group. All the groups gave more intense shocks than the non-frustrated control group.

Environmental cues: Berkowitz states that frustration causes a readiness to be aggressive, but certain cues make it more likely. Berkowitz and LePage's study - A confederate gave shocks to students…