Aggressive Tendencies

It’s difficult to think about why people intentionally harm other individuals, however, several theories attempt to explain human aggression. Some hypothesize that aggressive behaviour is not simply an innate quality but a part of our personality that is learned. The belief that all humans are instinctively aggressive offers little insight into methods of reducing anti-social behaviour. By looking at how aggression is formed through experience, however, we can make inferences into what type of …

…been rewarded for similar actions. Therefore, the mere exposure of violence can shape behaviour. Lastly, research has shown that increased levels of TV violence desensitize viewers to human suffering. Therefore, observing high levels of repeated violence not only facilitates aggressive tendencies, but also inhibits pro-social behaviour (empathy). If this kind of anti-social behaviour is learned through symbolic models, think about the influence that parents have over their children when they show act on their frustration.