Definition of Aggression | What is Psychology?

Aggression may be defined as harmful behavior which violates social conventions and which may include deliberate intent to harm or injure another person or object (Bandura, 1973, cited in Suris et al., 2004; Berkowitz, 1993, cited in Suris et al., 2004). In many cases it escalates into violence.

Aggression has also been viewed as a heterogeneous concept encompassing a wide variety of behaviours (Conner, 2004). Researchers have attempted to create more homogenous categories in this behavioural domain by identifying subtypes of aggression based on statistical techniques such as factor analysis. Two common subtypes supported by extensive research are overt and covert aggression (Conner, 2004). As the name suggests, overt aggression involves outward or open confrontational acts of aggression, such as physical fighting, verbal threats and bullying. On the other hand, covert aggression is more hidden and surreptitious; examples include stealing, truancy and arson.

[showmyads] An interesting mode of classification separates aggression into adaptive and maladaptive forms (Conner, 2004). Adaptive or “appropriate” aggression is said to occur in the interest of protecting the integrity or survival of the individual. According to this definition, a hungry child who steals food from a store in order to eat, or a youth who frequently fights others who attempt to steal his possessions would be displaying adaptive aggression. On the contrary, maladaptive aggression is not aimed at protecting or defending the individual. According to Conner (2004), this form of aggression occurs across various contexts and in the absence of antecedent social cues. The intensity, frequency and duration of the aggressive act are also out of proportion to the apparent cause(s).

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References

Conner, D. F., & Barkley, R. A. (2004). Aggression and antisocial behavior in children and adolescents: Research and treatment.New York: TheGuilford Press.

Suris, A., Lind, L., Emmett, G., Borman, P. D., Kashner, M., & Barratt, E.S. (2004). Measures of aggressive behavior: Overview of clinical and research instruments. Aggression and Violent Behaviour, 9, 165-227.

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