What Can Cause an Individual to Act with Hostility toward Others - Essay Example

What can cause an individual to act with hostility toward others? Contents Contents Introduction 3 Discussion 4 Conclusion 10 References 12 Introduction This study would examine aggressive behaviour observed within individuals. Aggression can be defined as a behavioural form that is directed towards injuring or harming other individuals. The act of hostility is observed in individuals as well as groups. Hostility behaviour amongst people arises due to multiple reasons. There are three categories of aggressive behaviour such as physical aggression, vandalism and verbal aggression. The intention behind harming individuals differentiates one form of aggressive behaviour from another. Intention usually varies and can be emotional, retaliation, revenge or causing physical harm. Verbal aggression mainly comprises of continuous arguing, threats, sarcasm, bossing, defiance, cut-downs, teasing and swearing. On the other hand, physical aggression is represented through fighting, kicking, spitting, hitting, biting, etc., with the clear intention of physically harming individuals. Vandalism is another form of aggressive behaviour commonly observed in various scenarios. It is not only related to damage or serious kind of destruction to a property but even theft. Aggression is symbolic or physical behaviour that is exhibited to harm an individual. Violence can be considered as an aggression form. This results into physical harm to an individual. Aggression is of different forms and there are multiple reasons behind such aggressive behaviour. This kind of behaviour can be classified into two types such as instrumental and hostile aggression. Instrumental aggression is an act towards the end. Hostile aggression can be defined as behaviour to hurt an individual. In this study, there are theoretical frameworks incorporated to highlight reasons for an individual to exercise hostility behaviour. Discussion Aggressive behaviour exhibited by an individual tends to physically or emotionally harm another person. There are certain theories on aggression that depicts various aspects of aggressive behaviour. Biological theory denotes aggression to be an innate tendency. Ethological and psychoanalytic approach is two vital components of biological theory. Psychoanalytic theory was framed by Freud in 1922. This approach helps to distinguish between death instinct and life instinct. Death instinct is stated as Thanatos and life instinct is referred to as Eros. Thanatos is basically directed towards oneself and is due to inborn destructiveness. This behavioural approach is contradictory to Eros. Eros is directed outwards (Coloroso, 2003). It is a form of aggression that reflects upon others. Firstly aggression is developed and then it is finally exhibited on others. In overall context, psychoanalytic approach helps in determining psychology of an individual. This in turn is reflected in a person’s action. Aggressive behaviour can either occur on oneself or on others. To be more precise anger outbursts in the form of unfriendly behaviour, it can be observed either on oneself or results into conflict with others (Hogg and Vaughan, 2008). Ethological approach is another aspect which forms a part of biological theory. This approach relates aggression observed in animals with that of humans. To certain extent survival can be regarded as a reason behind aggressive behaviour of an animal. Survival of the fittest is a common reason behind aggression when there is a high competition towards accessing scarce resources. Territory is defended by animals through anger or aggression (Zirpoli and Melloy, 2003). Limited physical harm is caused when aggressive behaviour is shown by animals. The survival aspect differs in human beings and it is not expressed properly. Humans do not undertake aggressive behaviour for survival. There is high degree of dependency on weapons for injuring others (Bandura, Ross and Ross, 1963). Innate tendency is some form of gesture that results into aggressive behaviour in individuals. This tendency is distinct in animals and human beings. Biosocial theory indicates aggression to be an elicited drive. Biological element is incorporated in this theoretical framework along with social factors. This theory constitutes two sources of energy. Instinct is a source of energy which is increasing and existing till it is being released. Another source of energy is drive, and it is activated when a vital need is not being satisfied. Frustration-aggression hypothesis is a part of Biosocial Theory. This theory clearly demonstrates different reasons behind aggression or hostility behaviour. Aggression is caused by frustration. Frustration leads to wide array of hostility behaviours. There are other behaviours too exhibited through frustration like apathy, crying, etc. It is also displaced on a substitute object. Frustration is not only confined to individuals but is also witnessed in case of group behaviour. However at times aggressive behaviour is also observed without any kind of frustration. This model was altered in later time period. Frustration in later phase was regarded as an essential factor behind hostility or aggressive behaviour (Walker, 2004). Intentional interference in an individual’s efforts leads to high degree of frustration. There is another theory which outlines reasons behind such form of behaviour observed in an individual. Aggressive cue theory indicates arousal of aggression within an individual. Emotional arousal is enhanced through aggression. As per this theory anger can be proclaimed in various ways such as through using weapons or without using any weapon. Hostility behaviour also denotes physically harming an individual that lead to one’s death. This kind of action can only be executed through utilizing weapons (Berkowitz and Lepage, 1967). Biosocial theory also states that cognitive appraisal mediates aggressive behaviour in individuals. Excitation transfer theory is able to well address this particular aspect. Physical arousal or aggression might lead to several other directions. For instance, when an individual feels insulted due to any reason it converts into different physical symptoms like increased heart beat, etc. This model is also applicable for individuals who go for gym session. There is high level of excitation triggered in individuals due to such sessions. Increased blood pressure or heart rate leads to aggressive behaviour in individuals. Social learning theory also portrays causes behind aggressive behaviour of people. Negative or positive reinforcement helps in learning different aspects of aggressive behaviour. Positive reinforcement is giving rewards and negative reinforcement is associated with punishment. Role of experience also helps in learning hostility behaviour. Indirect or direct experiences are gained by working in a group. While working in a group, when some people receive rewards for exceptional performance it creates frustration amongst other members. This frustration results into anger which is seen in terms of group conflict. Aggression can be stated as a learned social behaviour. Behaviour one receives from an individual is then transferred to another person. Personal or situational factors also play a critical role in determining main roots of aggressive behaviour. Personal factors comprise of gender differences and personality (Hewstone, Manstead and Stroebe, 1997). Gender differences basically mean which of the gender category is more aggressive by nature. Women are more verbally aggressive compared to men who are physically aggressive by nature. The reason behind this change in behaviour is men are likely to show their strength in every possible scenario but women are more argumentative in all their dealings. Type A personality represents certain category of an individual. This kind of personality indicates a person is highly competitive, ambitious, possesses high energy and likes to undertake excess of activities. Competitive nature and time urgency of Type A personality individuals makes them aggressive towards others. They believe in securing achievements and can even harm others for establishing position. In comparison to others, Type A personality people overshadow others and their frustration is imposed upon either group members or other individuals. Situational factors are also reasons behind aggressive behaviour of an individual. These factors are majorly crowding and heat. Temperature leads to aggression. It is observed that as temperature increases people loses control over differentiating right from the wrong. To certain extent individuals feel exhausted when temperature increases but degree of aggression enhances. Earlier evidences clearly reveal that number of murder cases increases as there is an increase in temperature. Aggression thus is interplay between individual differences, external events and cognitions. The theoretical frameworks incorporated in this particular study reflect upon social and biological factors. At times event violent TV programs or films create aggression amongst individuals (Baumeister and Finkel, 2010). The type of hostility behaviour observed in those programs is adopted by individuals in their daily lives. Aggressive behaviour develops from childhood. Parents should be cautious about their children’s friend circle or type of TV programs/films being viewed. The level of aggressive reaction is enhanced when children are watching aggressive films. Aggressive film content may that be viewed in the form of cartoon or human models initiates this kind of behaviour in children. If individuals are firstly frustrated and then allowed to watch an aggressive movie, it results into increased level of aggressive reaction amongst individuals (Reid, 2002). Film characters are quickly adopted by children as their role model. The actions performed by these characters are then scrutinized by children and they eventually apply it on others. Failure or punishment is common factors which causes frustration amongst children as well as adults. Punishment makes a person feel that one does not have capability to perform well. This is transformed into frustration and is reflected through aggressive behaviour (Huesmann, Moise-Titus, Podolski and Eron, 2003). There are four basic reasons as to why individuals show hostility towards others. Modelling can be denoted as one of the causes. This form of hostile aggressive behaviour is acquired from parents, peer groups, media channels or teachers. Violence observed in peers, threats from friends or family, etc., is portrayed by an individual in daily schedule. Peer reinforcement can also be stated as another reason for such behaviour. Fighting behaviour is at times reinforced by peers. When peers are witnessed to cheer for individuals who are actively indulged into fighting, it gives rise to hostility behaviour in a person. Social skills have to be present within all individuals as it helps in dealing with any kind of stressful condition. Assertive way is emphasized by social skills rather than aggressive way in context of effectively handling any kind of stressful scenario (Baron, 2007). Problems solving skills are limited to certain individuals and hence hostility is observed amongst people. Individuals tend to avoid problems and when they are not being able to do so it gets transformed into aggressive behaviour. In many scenarios, need fulfilment also increases aggression amongst individuals. Low self-esteem is one of the major initiators of anger. This factor indicates failure identity, poor self-image, inability towards receiving or giving love and inability to realize a sense of worth. Self-esteem degrades further when frustration or anger disrupts image of an individual. It also leads to rejection from peer groups or parents (Kruglanski and Higgins, 2007). Low self-esteem always keeps an individual de-motivated and is a cause of hostility with others. Behavioural learning also regulates entire personality of an individual. A person observes many things in day-to-day life and this gets ultimately portrayed in their gesture or dealings with other people. Hostility also arises due to inferiority complex. When an individual feels inferior in relation to other people it leads to anger or frustration. This kind of inferiority complex is due to certain incapability’s or lack of competencies. Hostility behaviour is because of coercive social interactions taking place in community, educational environment and family. Lack of co-operation decreases understanding level between individuals. When the level of involvement in any group work is low then it affects behavioural aspect of an individual. Aggression increases because of lack of understanding or ineffective communication channels between team members. Development of hostility behaviour is also because of neurobiological, environmental and genetic stressors. This form of stressors is witnessed throughout childhood years. Genetic factors encompass abnormalities in a brain and leads to predisposition of hostility behaviour. Neurobiological risks are all about low birth weight, traumatic head injury, birth complication, chronic illness, etc. There are high risk factors observed in a family that leads to hostility behaviour of a person. These factors are parental history of such kind of behaviours, drug abuse, unstable family life, lack of parental skills, and maximum utilization of corporal punishment, parental disruption or psychiatric disorders, unemployment or poverty causing economic distress. Media plays an important role in transmitting violence amongst individuals (Parrott, 2001). Media violence is observed through videos, television, Internet sites, cartoon models and movies. Exposure towards violent video games leads to decreased or increased aggressive behaviour. The games having this kind of behaviour are observed to vary in quality and design. Peers and companions are influential entities in formation of hostility behaviour. The concept of rule breaking or giving abuse is acquired from peer groups by an individual. When a person feels humiliated or threatened, he or she is bound to exhibit hostility with others. An attitude of disrespect shall enhance distance between individuals. This form of behaviour results when a person is ignored, manipulated, scorned or injured in due phase of time. Hostility occurs when your opponent is not able to address imagined behaviour or attitude. This indicates superiority, rejection, disrespect, and distrust between two parties (Connor, 2002). Lack of trust tends to disrupt communication channels amongst individuals. Once effective communication is not established there is no space for trust amongst people. Dislike towards one another is the primary cause behind hostility of an individual with others. Aggressive behaviour also arises when a person covets relationship, looks, family, social status, job, etc., of another human being but does not possess capability to attain it. On the other hand, existence of contradictory thoughts amongst people leads to disagreement between people. Key values are not agreed upon by people in certain circumstances and it thus develops aggressive behaviour. These key values mainly are religion, bigotry, evolution, etc. Being socially or personally rejected is also a reason behind hostility behaviour. A person who is unapproachable exercises more hostility behaviour with others. A typical hostile person is observed to acquire psychological wounds from childhood years (Burr, 2002). They are even unaware about well defined communication skills. People try to address social needs and in return end up portraying aggressive behaviour. These factors together promote disrespect, distrust and dislike. This is contradictory to approach of forgiveness, co-operation or problem solving attitude. Conclusion This study clearly outlines different dimensions of aggression or hostility. Aggressive behaviour is observed in certain category of individuals. As per the study, type A personality people is likely to be more aggressive in comparison to other people. Aggressive behaviour results due to psychological disorder. Human beings suffering from such disorder develop frustration and thus they behave with hostility towards other individuals. These individuals are highly competitive by nature and have specific time constraints. On the basis of these characteristics, people develop disrespect or distrust others. Childhood day plays a critical role in context of developing such distrust towards others. There are childhood incidents which tend to make an individual hostile towards others. Aggression can be stated as interplay between individual differences, external events and cognitive behaviour. Social factors are also taken into consideration while determining reasons behind hostility of an individual with others. The theoretical frameworks included in this particular study denote hostility as innate tendency, elicited drive and learnt behaviour. These factors are highly distinct from one another. Frustration is one of the causes behind aggressive or hostility behaviour. Frustration is developed when a person is not being able to attain specific goals or motives. The level of frustration usually differs from one individual to another. Animals might have different reasons behind their frustration whereas reasons vary when it comes to human beings. Hostility mainly results due to competitive nature of human beings. Humans tend to act with hostility when their opinions or views are not agreed upon by other individuals. References Bandura, A., Ross, D. and Ross, S.A., 1963. Imitation of film-mediated aggressive models. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 63(1), pp. 575-582. Baron, R. A., 2007. Fundamentals of social psychology. New Delhi: Pearson Education India. Baumeister, R. F. and Finkel, E. J., 2010. Advanced social psychology: the state of the science. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Berkowitz, L. and Lepage, A., 1967. Weapons as aggression eliciting stimuli. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 7(2), pp. 202-207. Burr, V., 2002. 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B., 2002.  Antisocial behaviour in children and adolescents. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. Walker, H. M., 2004.  Antisocial behaviour in school, 2nd ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning. Zirpoli, T.J. and Melloy, K.J., 2003. Behaviour management: Applications for teachers and parents. New York: MacMillan Publishing Company. Read More