Deck 11: Aggression

Question 1

Criminologists predict that the incidence of violent crime will increase due to which of the following?

A) regression to the mean
B) loosening of gun-control laws
C) an increase in the teen population
D) a prospering economy

Answer 1

an increase in the teen population

Question 2

Jeff mugs a well-dressed executive because he needs money.What type of aggression does this example illustrate?

A) instrumental aggression
B) emotional aggression
C) relational aggression
D) institutional aggression

Answer 2

instrumental aggression

Question 3

A murder has been committed.Given the research on homicide,which of the following is most likely?

A) The murderer was of a different race than the victim.
B) The murder occurred in eastern Canada.
C) The murderer was 35 years old.
D) The murderer and victim were male.

Answer 3

The murderer and victim were male.

Question 4

What is the defining characteristic of aggression?

A) The aggressor intends to injure another living being.
B) The aggressor actually causes physical or psychological harm.
C) The aggressor is angry or otherwise emotionally aroused during the aggressive act.
D) The aggressor derives enjoyment from the aggressive act.

Question 5

Which of the following best illustrates aggression?

A) Felix breaks his stick on the ice when he misses an open-net goal.
B) Maude trips over the scooter her son absentmindedly left in the driveway.
C) In his attempt to save Samantha from drowning,Danny breaks three of her ribs.
D) Ginger tells Maya's boyfriend that she saw Maya out with someone else last night.

Question 6

The fact that the population has been aging in recent years has been offered as an explanation for which of the following?

A) the decrease in violent crimes
B) the increase in gun-related violence
C) the greater availability of violent pornography
D) the current overcrowded conditions in prisons

Question 7

Tantri is continually teased,ridiculed,and intimidated at school.Which of the following is least likely to result from this bullying?

A) She will be at greater risk for depression.
B) She will experience recurring memories of the events.
C) She will be able to excel in her studies.
D) She will experience more anxiety.

Question 8

What are the long-term effects of bullying?

A) Bullying has limited effects if it begins in the mid-adolescence.
B) Bullying is particularly problematic for children with low self-esteem.
C) Though unpleasant for those who are targeted,bullying does not have any serious long-term negative effects.
D) Bullying has limited effects if it begins in late childhood.

Question 9

Which of the following situations best illustrates instrumental aggression?

A) When Joe finds out that his favourite television show has been pre-empted,he pushes Carl,who just happens to be standing nearby.
B) After getting fired from her job,Marion yells at the neighbourhood kids who walk on her lawn.
C) Karen pinches Greta until she finally moves out of the way so that Karen can get to the computer.
D) Edith calls Alex a jerk when she finds out that he forgot her birthday.

Question 10

According to statistics,which of the following is least likely to be the victim of a homicide?

A) a black man
B) a black woman
C) a white man
D) a white woman

Question 11

Compared to citizens of other nations,which of the following types of violence are American citizens more likely to engage in?

A) politically motivated violence directed toward groups
B) mob violence at sporting events
C) violence against young girls
D) gun-related violence against individuals

Question 12

Amanda trips her closest rival,Oksana,in the warm-up so that Oksana won't be able to compete in the race.What do Amanda's actions illustrate?

A) instrumental aggression
B) emotional aggression
C) displacement
D) catharsis

Question 13

When Katie found out that her brother Matt had pulled the heads off all of her dolls,she threw a book at him.Which of the following does Katie's behaviour illustrate?

A) instrumental aggression
B) negative reinforcement
C) incompatible responses
D) emotional aggression

Question 14

At what age are people most likely to be involved in violent crimes?

A) Teens are more likely to commit violent crimes,whereas older adults are more likely to be the victim of such crimes.
B) Older adults are more likely to commit violent crimes,whereas younger adults are more likely to be the victim of such crimes.
C) Older adults are more likely to both commit violent crimes and be the victims of such crimes.
D) Teens are more likely to both commit violent crimes and be the victims of such crimes.

Question 15

Which of the following is the most likely cause of the relatively greater violence rates in the southern United States?

A) a wider range of temperatures
B) the manner in which residents respond to status threats
C) the ratio of males to females living in that area
D) the tighter limits on weapon availability in that region

Question 16

Based on Bonta's (1997)research on nonviolent societies,which of the following is a powerful way to reduce violence within a society?

A) emphasizing a strict division of labour by gender
B) promoting cooperation
C) harshly punishing all acts of aggression
D) separating subcultures within the society

Question 17

Which of the following would decrease the likelihood that Chris would behave aggressively?

A) if Chris is a Mennonite
B) if Chris is male
C) if Chris is drunk
D) if Chris is a teenager

Question 18

Carmen,an eight-year-old girl,is angry with her brother so she tells their mother that he was playing video games when he was supposed to be doing his homework and then tells all his friends that he is afraid of the dark.What does Carmen's behaviour illustrate?

A) relational aggression
B) hostile aggression
C) physical aggression
D) overt aggression

Question 19

Whitley feels that Lena deliberately left the tuna fish sandwich sitting out in the sun so that Whitley would get food poisoning after she ate it.Which of the following best describes Whitley's emotional response?

A) instrumental aggression
B) hostility
C) anger
D) displacement

Question 20

What do psychologists call a negative,antagonistic attitude toward another person or group?

A) emotional aggression
B) hostility
C) anger
D) instrumental aggression

Question 21

How do men and women differ in their likelihood of responding to a situation in an aggressive manner?

A) Women are more likely to interpret an ambiguous situation as provoking.
B) In situations where people feel anonymous,men respond aggressively more than women.
C) Girls tend to be more verbally aggressive than boys.
D) Girls are more likely to use relational aggression than boys.

Question 22

According to the evolutionary view of aggression,why are males encouraged to be more physically aggressive than females?

A) Aggression in our ancestors was rewarded by attracting mates and producing offspring.
B) Aggression allows men to demonstrate power.
C) Aggression allows men to express the basic evolutionary emotion of anger.
D) Aggression pushes away others,forcing the human race to populate the globe.

Question 23

Jennifer would like to know if her new boyfriend Brad has any aggressive tendencies.According to research on aggression,which of the following would be most informative to know about Brad?

A) if he was aggressive at age eight
B) if he has an aggressive parent
C) if he has a sibling who is aggressive
D) if he is adopted

Question 24

According to Crick and Rose (2000),why are girls more likely than boys to use relational aggression?

A) because girls have higher levels of testosterone
B) because girls are less likely to hide their aggressive episodes
C) because girls typically care more about intimacy
D) because girls are more likely to misinterpret others' behaviour

Question 25

How do the patterns of brain activity differ between aggressive and non-aggressive youth?

A) Non-aggressive youth show more activation in the frontal-lobes when observing aggression.
B) Non-aggressive youth show less overall brain activation when watching someone be purposefully hurt.
C) Aggressive youth show higher overall levels of brain activity when observing aggression.
D) Aggressive youth show more activation in the reward centres when watching someone be purposefully hurt.

Question 26

Which of the following is supported by the finding that male-to-male violence occurs primarily in response to status challenges,but male-to-female violence occurs primarily in response to sexual jealousy?

A) the instinct view of aggression
B) the evolutionary perspective on aggression
C) the learning theory account of aggression
D) the socio-cultural perspective on aggression

Question 27

According to the evolutionary perspective on aggression,why are women more likely than men to use relational aggression?

A) because women lack direct access to wealth
B) because women have lower levels of testosterone
C) because women place more of a value on their own lives
D) because women do not want to risk physically harming the father of their offspring

Question 28

In which of the following situations will Claude's testosterone levels be most predictive of his aggressiveness?

A) if he is part of an upper socioeconomic group
B) if he has just lost a game
C) if he is a male-to-female transsexual
D) if he is under a lot of stress

Question 29

Which of the following research results would provide evidence that aggression is a heritable trait?

A) Identical twins reared together are more similar in their levels of aggressiveness than identical twins reared apart.
B) Adopted children are more similar in levels of aggressiveness to their adoptive parents than to their biological parents.
C) Fraternal twins are more similar in levels of aggressiveness than non-twin siblings.
D) Identical twins are more similar in levels of aggressiveness than fraternal twins.

Question 30

Finnigan notices his wife talking to another man,so he flies into a jealous rage.According to the evolutionary perspective,what is Finnigan's behaviour designed to do?

A) assert his social power
B) increase his confidence in the paternity of his offspring
C) deflect the death instinct outward instead of inward
D) increase the level of serotonin in his brain

Question 31

Belligeria is an extremely violent society,whereas Harmonia is entirely non-violent.What do these cultural variations suggest about aggression?

A) Aggression is an evolutionarily adaptive strategy.
B) Aggression is an inborn tendency.
C) Aggression is the result of hormonal fluctuations.
D) Aggression is determined primarily by social factors.

Question 32

Which of the following is most consistent with evolutionary explanations of aggression?

A) Children are more likely to be abused by their biological parents than by stepparents.
B) Male-to-female violence is predominantly triggered by sexual jealousy.
C) Male-to-male violence is triggered by a rise in testosterone.
D) Different cultures demonstrate different levels of aggressiveness.

Question 33

The strong positive correlation between testosterone levels and aggressive behaviour could reflect which of the following explanations?

A) Testosterone and aggression are unrelated.
B) Testosterone decreases aggression.
C) Aggression increases testosterone.
D) Stress decreases testosterone but increases aggression.

Question 34

According to meta-analysis of experiments on aggressions,in what cases are gender differences in aggression smallest?

A) when guns are implicated in the aggressive act
B) when the act involves indirect aggression
C) when alcohol is involved
D) when you only examine adolescents

Question 35

Which of the following is aggression associated with?

A) high levels of both testosterone and serotonin
B) low levels of both testosterone and serotonin
C) high levels of testosterone and low levels of serotonin
D) low levels of testosterone and high levels of serotonin

Question 36

Which of the following statements could be used by defenders of the evolutionary perspective to explain cultural variations in aggressiveness?

A) Cultural variations in aggression result because some cultures are more reproductively fit than others.
B) Cultural variations in aggression arise as a result of different environmental pressures.
C) Cultural variations in aggression are produced by an interaction of genetics,evolution,and instincts.
D) Cultural variations in aggression are actually so small that they are negligible.

Question 37

How is testosterone related to acts of aggression?

A) Acts of aggression may increase levels of testosterone.
B) Testosterone levels drop after successful aggressive episodes.
C) The relationship between testosterone and aggression is stronger among fraternity members than university males who do not belong to fraternities.
D) Individuals with low testosterone levels tend to smile less.

Question 38

You notice two men having an argument outside a club.One man has a narrow face and the other has broader features.Which of the following is most likely to occur?

A) The man with the broader features is more likely to use a weapon.
B) The man with the narrow face is more likely to use a weapon.
C) The man with the broader features is more likely to be hurt.
D) The man with the narrow face is more likely to be hurt.

Question 39

Which of the following is most consistent with evolutionary explanations of aggression?

A) Children are more likely to be abused by their biological parents than by stepparents.
B) Male-to-female violence is predominantly triggered by threats to status.
C) Male-to-male violence is triggered by a rise in testosterone.
D) Male violence is higher than female violence worldwide.

Question 40

Which of the following is most consistent with evolutionary explanations of aggression?

A) Children are more likely to be abused by stepparents than by their biological parents.
B) Male-to-male violence is predominantly triggered by sexual jealousy.
C) Male-to-male violence is triggered by a rise in testosterone.
D) Different cultures demonstrate different levels of aggressiveness.

Question 41

Which of the following is a valid criticism of the use of punishment to decrease aggression?

A) It is ineffective unless a set of six stringent conditions have been satisfied.
B) When perceived as arbitrary,it can provoke retaliatory aggression.
C) It provides a model of coercive behaviour.
D) It is ineffective unless restricted to cases of physical aggression.

Question 42

Brittany has found that she can get her husband to stop leaving his dirty socks on the kitchen table if she pinches him every time he does it.To Brittany,what type of event is her aggression?

A) positive reinforcement
B) negative reinforcement
C) positive punishment
D) negative punishment

Question 43

Mario and Lori are trying to decide how best to raise non-violent children.To optimize this goal,what should they do?

A) threaten,but never follow through with violence to their children
B) punish their children severely when they act out
C) let their children do precisely as they please
D) limit time in front of the television

Question 44

In which of the following cases is Deion least likely to imitate the aggressive behaviours of Darcy?

A) if Darcy is a cartoon character
B) if Darcy is punished for behaving aggressively
C) if Darcy is rewarded for behaving aggressively
D) if Darcy experiences catharsis following the aggressive behaviour

Question 45

Marty watches his older brother act non-aggressively after being provoked.According to social learning theory,which of the following is most likely to occur?

A) Marty will subsequently find more socially acceptable outlets for his impulses,such as rough sports.
B) Marty will subsequently refrain from acting aggressively,but only if he learns from personal experience that he will be punished for aggressing.
C) Marty will subsequently experience catharsis and displace his aggression onto safer,more acceptable targets.
D) Marty will subsequently act less aggressively and experience stronger restraints against aggression.

Question 46

As a parent,Arthur is supportive and warm toward his daughter.He wants to do what he can to decrease her aggressive behaviour.Which of the following would be his best approach?

A) to respond to her aggression by spanking her
B) to respond to her aggression by giving her a gentle reprimand
C) to respond to her aggression by giving her an immediate,significant,fair punishment
D) to respond to her aggression by ensuring both negative and positive reinforcement for the behaviour

Question 47

Brittany has found that she can get her husband to stop leaving his dirty socks on the kitchen table if she pinches him every time he does it.What type of event is Brittany's aggression for her husband?

A) positive reinforcement
B) negative reinforcement
C) positive punishment
D) negative punishment

Question 48

Ira believes that aggression is an acquired tendency picked up by observing others and by experience with rewards and punishments.Which of the following views is most consistent with Ira's beliefs?

A) social learning theory
B) the evolutionary perspective
C) instinct theory
D) negative affect escape model

Question 49

What does research examining the impact of aggressive and non-aggressive models demonstrate?

A) Aggressive models increase aggression and non-aggressive models decrease aggression.
B) Aggressive models increase aggression and non-aggressive models decrease aggression,when the models are physically present.
C) Both aggressive and non-aggressive models increase aggression.
D) Both aggressive and non-aggressive models increase aggression,when they are physically present.

Question 50

Gershoff's (2002)analysis of studies with over 36 000 participants indicates a positive correlation between corporal punishment and which of the following?

A) psychopathic tendencies
B) depression
C) criminal behaviour
D) poor parental relations

Question 51

Based on the principles of social learning theory,which of the following measures is most likely to be successful in teaching a child to act non-violently?

A) Punish the child physically for acting aggressively.
B) Expose the child to models (such as adults or older siblings)who are punished harshly for acting aggressively.
C) Expose the child to models (such as adults or older siblings)who act non-aggressively in response to provoking situations.
D) Teach the child how to displace frustrations and anger in safe,socially acceptable ways,such as by hitting a punching bag or role-playing a desired outcome.

Question 52

Jamie's parents occasionally use corporal punishment when she breaks their rules.They believe that spanking will act as a positive punishment for her bad behaviour.Which concept explains why spanking may actually backfire and lead Jamie to demonstrate increased aggression?

A) the arousal-affect model
B) social learning theory
C) cultivation
D) culture of honour

Question 53

Among what groups is the culture of honour most prevalent?

A) It is more prevalent in the American South than in other regions of the United States.
B) It is more prevalent in rural than urban men.
C) It is more prevalent among European-American men than among Latin-American men.
D) It is more prevalent among women than men.

Question 54

Billy tailgates and honks his horn at other drivers because when he does they usually get out of his way,which he likes.What type of event is Billy's aggression for the other drivers?

A) positive reinforcement
B) negative reinforcement
C) positive punishment
D) negative punishment

Question 55

Your act of aggression that prevents or stops an undesirable outcome serves as which of the following for you?

A) a positive reinforcement
B) a negative reinforcement
C) a positive punishment
D) a negative punishment

Question 56

Billy tailgates and honks his horn at other drivers because when he does they usually get out of his way,which he likes.To Billy,what type of event is this aggression?

A) positive reinforcement
B) negative reinforcement
C) positive punishment
D) negative punishment

Question 57

Research has shown that argument-related murders committed by white males occur at much higher rates in the American South and Southwest than in other regions in the United States,whereas murders committed during other crimes exhibit much smaller or even reversed regional differences.This set of findings is best explained by which of the following statements?

A) Greater interracial tensions and frustrations are experienced in the South and Southwest than in other regions.
B) Economic frustrations are likely to be greater in the South and Southwest.
C) The prevalent culture of the South and Southwest places a higher premium than that of other regions on protecting one's honour by retaliating aggressively to others' insults.
D) Due to different socialization practices,children in the South and Southwest are less likely to be rewarded for distinguishing between instrumental and emotional aggression.

Question 58

Nonie gets a new baby doll for her sixth birthday and she immediately begins to punch,kick,and throw the doll around the house.Which of the following is likely to have contributed to this behaviour?

A) Nonie saw Uncle Floyd yell at Auntie Mary when she threw her doll.
B) Nonie saw her cousin Bruce hug and kiss his doll.
C) Nonie just finished watching someone on TV beat up a doll.
D) Nonie has been socialized in a stereotypical female role.

Question 59

Each of the following people behaved aggressively,and each was punished for his or her aggression.For which of these people should the indicated punishment have the best chance of successfully reducing aggression?

A) Jake,who was punished immediately following his act of aggression
B) Keifer,who was extremely angry when punished after committing an act of emotional aggression
C) Lakeesha,who was punished in a very angry,hostile manner by her parents after committing an act of instrumental aggression
D) Danielle,who was punished for some of her aggressive acts but not for others,and cannot discern a pattern in the incidence of punishment

Question 60

How do aggressive models teach aggressive behaviour?

A) by teaching observers how to perform the aggressive act
B) by fostering a negative attitude toward other methods of response
C) by allowing observers to be rewarded for aggression
D) by increasing the frustration experienced by observers

Question 61

Betty,an anti-war activist,is mad at the prime minister for sending forces to Afghanistan.Because she cannot go straight to the source of her frustration,she takes out her aggression on her next-door neighbour instead.What does this situation illustrate?

A) excitation transfer
B) displacement
C) arousal substitution
D) hostile attribution bias

Question 62

Regina has just finished a rigorous aerobics workout at the gym.As she heads toward the drinking fountain,a man accidentally steps on her toe.Regina pushes him aggressively and insults him.A few days later,on her way to the gym for her workout,a different man accidentally bumps into her,but this time Regina does not react aggressively.Which of the following best explains Regina's different responses to these similar incidents?

A) social learning theory
B) the negative affect escape model
C) the arousal-affect model
D) aggression cultivation

Question 63

Which of the following people is most likely to respond aggressively when accidentally tripped by a stranger?

A) Nathan,who has just left an empathy training seminar
B) Daphne,who has just seen a very funny movie
C) Martin,who has just watched his favourite football team lose
D) Francis,who has just won a lottery

Question 64

The frustration-aggression hypothesis would probably be least effective as an explanation for which of the following?

A) instrumental aggression
B) emotional aggression
C) a strong correlation between economic conditions and prejudice toward minority groups
D) the desire to enter a violent profession such as boxing

Question 65

Which of the following is the generally accepted scientific view of the causes of aggression?

A) Aggression is caused primarily by aggressive drives passed along genetically.
B) Aggression is caused almost completely by a society's orientation toward aggression.
C) Aggression is caused by biological factors interacting with sociocultural factors.
D) Aggression is caused by sociocultural factors,and is passed on genetically through a process of evolution.

Question 66

Exposure to high levels of which of the following in utero increases aggression?

A) testosterone
B) cortisone
C) novel odours
D) serotonin

Question 67

The concept of catharsis has been undermined by findings suggesting that engaging in or witnessing aggression often does which of the following?

A) It reduces the likelihood of cultivation.
B) It produces displacement.
C) It causes habituation.
D) It slowly weakens restraints against aggression.

Question 68

According to the original formulation of the frustration-aggression hypothesis,what is the first step in the process of catharsis?

A) a freeing up of intrapsychic energy
B) the displacement of aggression onto weaker targets
C) reduced arousal following acts of aggression
D) fear of punishment

Question 69

Which of the following best describes how catharsis is proposed to reduce aggression?

A) Observing aggressive models reduces arousal.
B) Expression of any aggressive behaviour reduces the pressure to aggress.
C) Responding to frustrations with aggression is more effective than simply letting the frustration dissipate on its own.
D) Expressing frustration intensifies feelings of hostility and anger.

Question 70

Pace Press is playing Regal Foods in a charity softball game.According to research,in which of the following cases would fights between the players be most likely to break out?

A) if it is a cold day
B) if it is a nice summer day
C) if it is a relatively hot summer day
D) if it is an oppressively hot summer day

Question 71

According to proponents of the frustration-aggression hypothesis,what do correlations between economic conditions and societal aggression illustrate?

A) catharsis
B) aggression habituation
C) aggression cultivation
D) displacement of aggression

Question 72

Jonah is reprimanded by his boss for being late to a meeting.Which of the following reactions best represents displacement?

A) He forgets to tell his boss about a change in location of an important meeting so she is late.
B) He yells at his boss and is fired.
C) He complains about his boss to his wife over dinner later.
D) He yells at his wife when he gets home.

Question 73

In response to an insult,individuals who subscribe to a culture of honour are more likely than others to do which of the following?

A) show a reduction in testosterone levels
B) show an increase in serotonin levels
C) exhibit signs of physiological arousal
D) respond positively to acts of aggression

Question 74

According to Berkowitz's (1989)revision of frustration-aggression theory,which of the following is aggression a response to?

A) moderate,rather than extreme or mild,frustrations
B) previously displaced aggression
C) negative emotions
D) catharsis

Question 75

Reifman et al.(1991)found that as temperatures rise,major league baseball pitchers are more likely to hit batters with a pitch.Which of the following is most consistent with this finding?

A) social learning theory
B) the cognitive neo-association model
C) the revised frustration-aggression hypothesis
D) scapegoating

Question 76

Which of the following conclusions is most difficult to explain from the perspective of the original formulation of the frustration-aggression hypothesis?

A) The need to aggress in response to frustration can be reduced if the frustrated individual behaves in an aggressive but relatively harmless way toward an object that is not related to the source of the frustration.
B) The need to aggress in response to frustration is taught directly by reinforcement,important models,and the media,and can be "unlearned" if the reinforcements and models change.
C) The need to aggress in response to frustration is a psychological drive that resembles the physiological drive of seeking food in response to hunger.
D) The need to aggress in response to frustration can lead to nonviolent acts of aggression such as spreading rumours about someone or telling hostile jokes.

Question 77

Some people believe that they can reduce their likelihood of aggressing against others by engaging in aggressive sports,such as boxing and hockey.Which theory would argue against this position?

A) social learning theory
B) the frustration-aggression hypothesis
C) the notion of catharsis
D) the negative affect escape model

Question 78

When his mother tells him that he cannot ride his bicycle on the roof,Calvin gets mad and kicks the dog.What does Calvin's behaviour illustrate?

A) vicarious aggression
B) inhibition
C) displaced aggression
D) instrumental aggression

Question 79

Ethan has been released from jail in the United States,and is applying for jobs in the South and the Northeast.Ethan is probably more likely to land interviews in the South than in the Northeast if he was in jail for which of the following crimes?

A) murdering a person who slept with his wife
B) committing fraud on a million-dollar insurance claim
C) illegally importing cocaine across the border
D) robbing a jewellery store owned by a black man

Question 80

On his way back from work,Orin nearly collided head-on with another car.After swerving out of the way at the last minute,Orin could feel his heart racing and his hands shaking.A few minutes later,he arrived home and,just as he walked in,received a phone call from a salesperson.Orin then became verbally abusive toward the salesperson.Which of the following concepts is most consistent with this outcome?

A) instrumental aggression
B) excitation transfer
C) the death instinct
D) incompatible responses