Aggression

Definition of Aggression

• Aggression is both physical and verbal behavior intended to hurt someone.
• It is deliberate and encompasses both physical attacks and verbal insults.

Types of Aggression

Physical Aggression

• Behavior intended to physically harm another person.

Social (Relational) Aggression

• Behavior intended to harm another person's social status, relationships, and self-esteem.

Reasons for Aggressive Behavior

• Reaction to a threat.
• Result of anger.
• To achieve a specific goal.

Forms of Aggression

Hostile Aggression

• Aimed at causing injury to another person.
• Usually impulsive and stems from anger.
• Can be both social or physical.
• Example: Tom punches Vic out of anger after Vic flirts with Tom's girlfriend.

Instrumental Aggression

• Involves physical harm but occurs with the pursuit of another goal.
• Often planned in advance, unlike hostile aggression.
• Example: Martin trips Jorge to regain the ball during a game, intending not to harm Jorge but to achieve a game goal.

Recap of Aggression

• Aggression: Physical or verbal behavior meant to harm.
  • Physical Aggression: Intends physical harm.
  • Social/Relational Aggression: Attempts to harm social status and self-esteem.
  • Hostile Aggression: Stems from anger.
  • Instrumental Aggression: Aims to achieve a specific result through harm.