Aggression is hostile or violent behavior. It’s a woman yelling at her son for accidentally spilling his milk on the carpet. It’s a child pushing his friend down on the playground because she was playing with his favorite toy. It’s a girl snapping at her boyfriend because he didn’t invite her out with the guys.
As you can see (and probably know from personal experience), aggression can take many forms. We all act aggressively at some point or another in our lives, whether it’s yelling at the black Sudan that cut us off or getting into it with family or friends. But some are more aggressive than others—quick to react or engage in hostile behavior. Which begs an important question: Why?
What Causes Aggression?
Sure, traffic can spur aggression, as can a disagreement with a coworker. But what’s the psychology behind this behavior? There are actually a few reasons we become aggressive, which also help to explain why some people are more aggressive than others:
1. Instinct
Aggression is one of our many survival instincts. According to Sigmund Freud, aggression continuously builds up until it releases as aggressive behavior, at some point or another. Some individuals can suppress this aggression and use other survival instincts instead, but others simply react and release.
2. Hormonal imbalance
A hormonal imbalance in an individual can certainly contribute to aggressive behavior. For example, high levels of testosterone contribute to high levels of aggression. This explains why males are characteristically more aggressive than females.
3. Genetics
Aggression can also be passed down genetically. Children are at a greater risk of adapting aggressive tendencies if they have a biological background for it. Time and time again, father and son both display aggressive behavior.
4. Physiological illness and temperament
Serious illness can have a major effect on an individual’s mood and behavior, as the stress and other mental effects may bring about greater aggression. Additionally, one’s temperament can play a role in aggression. People with bad tempers typically become aggressive more quickly than calmer individuals.
5. Social learning
Aggression can be learned. Some become more aggressive due to personal experiences or observational learning. For example, children are always looking for cues on how to act, as illustrated by the Bobo doll experiment. They learn to act aggressively when they watch someone else commit violent acts like in movies or video games.
6. Psychological frustrations
It’s human nature to become frustrated when life just doesn’t seem to be going so well. This frustration may involve work or love, for example, and can lead to an all-around feeling of negativity. This negativity then represents a threat, which can lead to aggression.
How to Cope with an Aggressive Individual: 4 Tips
Dealing with someone who constantly lashes out in hostile or violent behavior is tough—especially when it’s someone you’re close to like your mom or your boyfriend or someone else you can’t easily avoid or ignore, like a coworker. In any case, the following can help you deal with the aggressive people in your life more effectively:
- Keep your cool. The last thing that will alleviate this situation is another aggressive individual. Maintain your composure and use your better judgment to handle the situation. Aggressive people often seek to intimidate and upset others. You have to ensure this doesn’t happen and instead of reacting with rage, take a moment to count to ten and think of a better way to deal with the situation at hand.
- Put yourself in their shoes. Even if the aggression seems unwarranted, take a moment to imagine yourself in their position. Maybe they grew up in an overly aggressive household. Or, maybe they have a lot on their plate and they’re reacting to the stress with aggression. This will help calm your own negative feelings down and empathize with the individual. Then, maybe you can turn the aggressive attack into a productive conversation.
- Express your concern. Maybe there isn’t an obvious, underlying cause of the individual’s aggression. Once you’ve taken a step away and you’re both calm, express your concern for them. They may not realize the severity of their aggression or its effect on those around them. It could take someone like you bringing it to light for them to make that realization and then make a change.
- Distance yourself. Sometimes, these aggressive individuals are just not worth it and don’t deserve a place in your life. You have to prioritize your well-being and if that means cutting them out of your life, then so be it. If, however, cutting them completely out of your life isn’t very realistic (think, an aggressive aunt or uncle that’s at every family reunion or your coworker who doesn’t look to be going anywhere anytime soon), then just distance yourself as best you can.
Ultimately, you have to decide if it’s worth dealing with the aggressive individual. If you decide that it’s not, kick them to the curb and distance yourself from them. But if you decide that this individual is worth it and could maybe use your help, do your best to sympathize with them and determine the underlying cause of the aggression. This will help you both moving forward.
As an expert in psychology with a deep understanding of human behavior, I can confidently address the various concepts related to aggression discussed in the article. The content covers the multifaceted nature of aggression, its potential causes, and provides practical tips for coping with aggressive individuals. Let's delve into the key concepts:
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Aggression Defined:
- Aggression is described as hostile or violent behavior, encompassing a range of actions from yelling to physical violence.
- Examples include a woman scolding her son, a child pushing a friend, and a girl snapping at her boyfriend.
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Forms of Aggression:
- The article acknowledges that aggression can manifest in diverse ways, including everyday scenarios like traffic incidents or disagreements with colleagues.
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Causes of Aggression:
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Instinct:
- Aggression is framed as a survival instinct, building up until it is released as aggressive behavior, according to Sigmund Freud.
- Individuals may vary in their ability to suppress aggression or resort to alternative survival instincts.
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Hormonal Imbalance:
- Aggressive behavior can be influenced by hormonal imbalances, with high testosterone levels associated with increased aggression.
- Males are noted to be characteristically more aggressive than females due to hormonal differences.
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Genetics:
- Aggression can be inherited genetically, increasing the likelihood of aggressive tendencies in individuals with a family background of aggression.
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Physiological Illness and Temperament:
- Serious illness and one's temperament are identified as factors influencing aggression.
- Stress and mental effects from illness may contribute to greater aggression, and individuals with bad tempers may react more quickly.
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Social Learning:
- Aggression can be learned through personal experiences or observational learning.
- The article refers to the Bobo doll experiment to illustrate how children learn aggressive behavior by observing others, such as in movies or video games.
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Psychological Frustrations:
- Frustration with life circ*mstances, whether in work or relationships, can lead to a pervasive feeling of negativity, perceived as a threat that may result in aggression.
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Coping with Aggressive Individuals:
- The article provides four practical tips for dealing with aggressive individuals:
- Keep your cool: Maintaining composure and avoiding further aggression.
- Put yourself in their shoes: Empathizing with the aggressor to understand potential underlying causes.
- Express your concern: Communicating with the individual about the impact of their aggression.
- Distance yourself: Prioritizing well-being by either cutting ties or creating distance, especially if the aggressive individual is not easily avoidable.
- The article provides four practical tips for dealing with aggressive individuals:
In conclusion, the article offers a comprehensive overview of aggression, exploring its various forms and potential causes while providing actionable advice for coping with aggressive individuals.
