Question 1

Based on research on the idea of catharsis, what is the bottom line-does catharsis work to reduce aggression?

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that the idea of catharsis, which suggests that expressing aggression or engaging in aggressive activities can reduce a person's aggressive feelings, does not effectively reduce aggression. Instead, it can actually increase aggression in individuals.

Question 2

Little Neil is frustrated and is threatening to throttle his baby sister. His mother intervenes, and suggests that Neil "get over it" by taking a dozen eggs and smashing them against the tree in the front yard. Neil's mother appears to be a proponent of __________ as a means of reducing aggression.

Accepted Answer

Neil's mother is suggesting that he engage in a cathartic activity, which involves the release of aggressive energy through a non-harmful activity, such as smashing eggs against a tree. This technique is based on the concept of catharsis, which posits that releasing pent-up emotion in a safe way can reduce the likelihood of engaging in more harmful behaviors.

Question 3

Anger control through "active enabling" might involve which of the following?

Accepted Answer

"Active enabling" involves engaging in activities that redirect and manage anger in a positive way. Pounding on pillows and watching a boxing match may actually escalate or reinforce aggressive behavior. Playing a violent video game may also reinforce aggression. Taking a deep breath and counting to ten is a common anger management technique that allows individuals to calm down and think before reacting.

Question 4

Lee is thinking about murdering someone who has wronged him. According to information from your text, under what circumstances would Lee be least likely to commit the crime?

Accepted Answer

According to the text, individuals are less likely to commit a crime if they believe that punishment is certain and prompt. Therefore, if Lee knows that punishment will be swift and inevitable, he will be less likely to commit the crime.

Question 5

The idea of venting one's frustrations and anger by aggressing in harmless ways is an oversimplification of __________ theory of catharsis.

Accepted Answer

The theory of catharsis typically attributed to Sigmund Freud states that releasing one's aggressive impulses in a safe and controlled setting can reduce the build-up of aggressive energy and potentially prevent later outbursts. However, modern research has largely debunked this theory and suggests that aggression breeds aggression, rather than acting as a release for it. Therefore, the idea of venting one's frustrations in harmless ways is an oversimplification of Freud's theory of catharsis.

Question 6

Research by Patterson (1974) found that high school football players were more competitive and aggressive in __________ than __________ weeks, thereby contradicting the predictions of the supporters of catharsis.

Accepted Answer

The research found that high school football players were more competitive and aggressive in later weeks than earlier weeks, contradicting the predictions of catharsis supporters. Therefore, the correct answer is B, later weeks; earlier weeks.

Question 7

Todd is still feeling angry about something Jeff did to him 10 years ago. Jeff has since moved away and is unavailable for a meeting to talk it out. What would you suggest Todd do to resolve his anger?

Accepted Answer

Looking at the event from a third person perspective can help Todd detach emotionally from the situation and see it in a more objective manner. This can provide some perspective and help him let go of his anger towards Jeff. Punching or beating something may temporarily release the anger, but it doesn't address the root cause or help Todd move past it. Simply telling someone to "just get over it" is dismissive of their feelings and not an effective solution.

Question 8

You woke up late and are far behind at work. When you reach the end of your rope, you treat your secretary with hostility and disrespect. This mistreatment causes you to experience dissonance, which you are most likely to reduce by __________.

Accepted Answer

Thinking about the secretary's past mistakes can help justify your behavior, reducing cognitive dissonance by aligning your actions with a belief that the secretary deserved it.

Question 9

Proponents of the death penalty might use social-psychological data to assert that it can become an effective deterrent if __________.

Accepted Answer

The effectiveness of the death penalty as a deterrent is argued to increase if law enforcement and the judicial process are more efficient and prompt, as the swiftness of punishment can enhance its deterrent effect.

Question 10

The authors of your text suggest that openly and rationally discussing something that has made you angry with close friends can lead to __________.

Accepted Answer

Openly and rationally discussing anger with close friends can lead to a stronger friendship by increasing understanding and communication between parties. It can help both parties work through the issue and improve the relationship.

Question 11

Research presented in your text on fMRI studies done while fans were watching baseball found that ___________.

Accepted Answer

The research found that the more active the reward centers of the brain were while watching baseball, the more aggressive the fans felt. This suggests that the pleasure of watching their team win may be linked with an increase in aggressive feelings.

Question 12

According to cognitive dissonance theorists, when people attempt to vent their aggressive impulses by harming another person, they are more likely to engage in later acts of aggression because __________.

Accepted Answer

According to cognitive dissonance theorists, when people harm another person, they experience dissonance because their behavior conflicts with their beliefs about themselves as being good and moral individuals. In order to reduce this dissonance, individuals may derogate the victim to justify their behavior. This process of derogation can increase the likelihood of later acts of aggression because it reinforces the perpetrator's aggressive attitudes and beliefs.

Question 13

According to social-psychological research , what are the "ideal conditions" for punishment to be an effective deterrent to violence? Punishment must be __________.

Accepted Answer

Social-psychological research suggests that punishment is most effective as a deterrent to violence when it is prompt and certain, rather than solely severe. This means that individuals are more likely to be deterred from committing a violent act if they know they will face immediate and definite consequences for their actions. Fairness is also important but not as fundamental to the effectiveness of punishment as promptness and certainty.

Question 14

Teresa punches a pillow every time she feels aggression building up toward her younger brother, and this makes her feel relieved and more relaxed. Such an outcome supports the notion of __________.

Accepted Answer

The given scenario supports the concept of catharsis, which refers to the process of releasing or venting pent-up emotions or aggression to reduce tension and increase relaxation.

Question 15

Based on the research presented in your text on aggression, what advice would you give to Tim, who just found out he didn't make the baseball team and is angry?

Accepted Answer

The best advice would be for Tim to try to relax and restrain urges to be aggressive. This is because acting out aggressively can lead to further negative consequences and it is important to learn healthy coping mechanisms for dealing with disappointment and frustration. Watching a violent movie or playing a violent game can actually increase aggressive feelings, and physical violence or aggression towards others is never an acceptable solution. Going to the gym and hitting a punching bag may help to release some physical tension, but it still promotes aggression rather than healthy coping mechanisms.

Question 16

__________ reflects the idea that if people can "aggress" in harmless ways, built-up aggressive energies will diminish, reducing the odds of further aggressive behavior.

Accepted Answer

Catharsis suggests that if individuals are allowed to express their aggression in harmless ways, such as through playing aggressive sports or engaging in cathartic activities like punching a pillow, then they can release their pent-up aggression, reducing the likelihood of further aggressive behavior.

Question 17

__________ theory can be used to explain why participants will derogate victims after they have done those victims physical or psychological harm.

Accepted Answer

Cognitive dissonance theory proposes that when individuals act in a way that is inconsistent with their beliefs or values, they experience psychological discomfort or dissonance. To reduce this dissonance, they may change their beliefs or justify their behavior. In the case of derogating victims after harming them, individuals may feel guilty or ashamed of their actions and justify them by believing that the victims deserved it. This helps to reduce their dissonance and restore their self-image as a good person.

Question 18

Results of laboratory experiments with adults suggest that the one reason why threats of punishment do not seem to deter violent crime in the "real world" is that in the criminal justice system, punishment is __________.

Accepted Answer

Laboratory experiments suggest that punishment is most effective in deterring crime when it is swift, certain, and severe. However, in the criminal justice system, punishment is often delayed, uncertain, and not severe enough to deter criminal behavior. This lack of immediacy and effectiveness may be why threats of punishment do not always deter violent crime in the "real world."

Question 19

Ed is steaming mad and ready to punch the next person he sees. According to the authors of your text, what is the first, best thing he should do to help him resolve his anger effectively?

Accepted Answer

Taking a deep breath and counting to ten is a common recommendation for anger management as it allows the person to calm down and regain control of their emotions before reacting impulsively. Venting through physical or verbal aggression (such as punching a pillow or derogating someone) may temporarily relieve the anger but can ultimately escalate the situation and worsen relationships. Keeping it in and stewing about it can also be detrimental to mental and physical health.

Question 20

Opponents of the death penalty for certain violent crimes might use social-psychological data to argue that one reason why the threat of capital punishment doesn't serve as an effective deterrent to violence is that __________.

Accepted Answer

The argument is that the deterrent effect of capital punishment is weakened because violent criminals often believe they will not be caught and punished swiftly, reducing the perceived risk of facing the death penalty.

Quiz 12: Aggression: Why Do We Hurt Other People Can We Prevent It