Question 1

Which of the following is the best example of instrumental aggression?

Accepted Answer

Instrumental aggression involves using aggression as a means to achieve a goal or desired outcome. Killing a leader to ensure the success of a coup would be an example of instrumental aggression as it is a strategic act with the purpose of achieving a specific outcome. The other options (A, C, and D) involve acts of aggression that do not have a clear strategic goal and would be categorized as hostile aggression.

Question 2

Shortly after Mary and Robert were married, he became somewhat aggressive to other men who showed an interest in his wife, and made claims like, "Anyone who lays a hand on my woman has to go through me first." Such claims and aggression are explained by evolutionary theory as

Accepted Answer

The behavior described is consistent with sexual jealousy, which is a common evolutionary response to perceived threats to a mate's fidelity.

Question 3

The goal of ________ aggression is to inflict pain; the goal of ________ aggression is to achieve some other outcome.

Accepted Answer

Hostile aggression is motivated by anger and the goal is to hurt or harm someone else. It is often impulsive and emotional. Instrumental aggression, on the other hand, is a means to an end. The goal is something other than causing harm, such as gaining resources or defending oneself. It can be more calculated and planned.

Question 4

According to the social-psychological definition of "aggression," which of the behaviors below is the best example of aggression?

Accepted Answer

Aggression involves behavior with the intent to harm or injure another person. Out of the given options, only a child throwing a temper tantrum and attempting to hit their father meets the criteria for aggression. The other options involve accidental behavior (A), assertion (B), and a violation of sports rules (D), but not intentional harm towards another person.

Question 5

Based on the evolutionary explanations for aggression presented in your text, who is most likely to be physically aggressive?

Accepted Answer

According to the evolutionary explanations for aggression, men are more likely to be physically aggressive due to their role as protectors and providers in traditional societies. Hormonal differences, such as higher levels of testosterone in men, also contribute to higher levels of physical aggression.

Question 6

In a primitive tribe, Shantu fights with the other young men his age to impress the young ladies. As it turns out, several young women are attracted to him because he seems to be able to protect them and is rising in social status. In essence, Shantu's aggression can be explained in evolutionary terms as a display of

Accepted Answer

Shantu's aggression is likely a display of dominance, as he is fighting with other young men to establish his social status and impress the young women. Dominance is a key factor in mate selection and survival in many animal species, including humans.

Question 7

According to the authors of your text, the same act may be considered aggression or not depending on whether

Accepted Answer

According to the text, the same act may be considered aggression or not depending on whether physical or psychological harm was intended. This means that a person's intentions play a crucial role in determining whether an act is aggressive or not. If someone hits another person accidentally, it may not be considered aggression, but if they hit them with the intention of causing harm or pain, it would be classified as aggression.

Question 8

Which of the following is an example of hostile rather than of instrumental aggression?

Accepted Answer

Hostile aggression is motivated by anger or hostility and is intended to harm the target. Throwing eggs at a homeless person is an example of hostile aggression because it is done with the intention to harm and with hostility or anger.

Question 9

Andrea asks her friends to spread a nasty rumor about her opponent for the office of class president to attempt to damage his reputation in the days before the election. This is an example of

Accepted Answer

The answer of Andrea asks her friends to spread a...

Question 10

Mr. Jenkins was backing out of his driveway and accidentally hit his neighbor (whom he dislikes) as he was biking by. Why isn't this act aggressive?

Accepted Answer

The fact that the action was unintentional means that it was not aggressive, even if harm was done. Aggression implies intentional harm.

Question 11

Julie is really interested in Tom. She flirts with him at lunch a few times, and finally asks him out for a drink on Friday. According to the authors of your text, Julie's behavior is

Accepted Answer

Julie's behavior can be seen as assertive as she is showing confidence and taking initiative in pursuing Tom.

Question 12

Your text provides the example of the Columbine High School shootings as an extreme example of aggression. Which of the following is not true about the shooting?

Accepted Answer

The statement that the shooters were disgruntled high school teachers is false. The shooters were two high school students, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, who carried out the shooting with the intention of causing mass casualties.

Question 13

________ aggression is an act that stems from feelings of anger, and that is aimed at inflicting pain.

Accepted Answer

Hostile aggression is specifically motivated by anger or the desire to inflict pain, unlike instrumental aggression, which is driven by a desire to achieve a specific goal or outcome, and malicious aggression, which is intended to harm without the need for anger or pain. Misplaced aggression refers to aggression directed at someone or something other than the true source of one's frustration or anger.

Question 14

Which of the following is the best example of hostile aggression?

Accepted Answer

Hostile aggression is characterized by actions intended to harm someone out of anger or frustration. Bernie's action of screaming "I hate you!" at his mother is a direct expression of anger intended to hurt her emotionally, fitting the definition of hostile aggression.

Question 15

________ aggression is an act in the service of a goal that does not involve the infliction of pain.

Accepted Answer

Instrumental aggression is a type of aggression that is motivated by a goal or purpose and does not necessarily involve the intent to harm or cause pain to others. For example, a football player may engage in instrumental aggression by tackling another player in order to win the game, but without any intention to deliberately hurt them. Misplaced aggression is a type of aggression that is directed towards a target that is not the original source of the provocation, while hostile aggression is aggression that is motivated by anger, hostility, or a desire to harm others. Oblique aggression refers to indirect or subtle forms of aggression, such as gossip or social exclusion.

Question 16

According to evolutionary theory, some psychologists argue that men are programmed to be aggressive. What is their explanation for this claim?

Accepted Answer

Evolutionary theorists argue that aggression may have provided an advantage to early male ancestors in obtaining resources and mates, ultimately leading to greater reproductive success and the perpetuation of their genes.

Question 17

According to most social psychologists, aggression is defined as

Accepted Answer

Most social psychologists define aggression as the intention to cause harm to or pain in another, rather than just the act of inflicting harm, relieving frustration, or causing physical or psychological pain. The focus is on the intent behind the behavior, rather than the behavior itself.

Question 18

Based on information presented in your text, what are the two evolutionary reasons why males are aggressive?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Based on information presented in your text,...

Question 19

Males tend to be more violent in their teens and twenties than later in life. Based on evolutionary theory (as discussed by the authors of your text), why would this be true?

Accepted Answer

According to evolutionary theory, males in their teens and twenties are in their peak reproductive years, and therefore, they may be more competitive and prone to violence in order to gain access to mates and resources that increase their chances of reproductive success.

Question 20

Hostile aggression differs from instrumental aggression in that instrumental aggression

Accepted Answer

Instrumental aggression is directed at achieving a goal or outcome, and inflicting pain is a means to that end. Hostile aggression, on the other hand, is emotional, impulsive, and motivated by a desire to harm someone.

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