Contents
Hello dear readers! Very often in our speech we use the word aggression, meaning by it a lot of meanings. For example, we characterize with its help someone’s behavior, the strength of the influence of advertising, name our feelings, confusing them with anger, annoyance, irritability, and so on. But this is not always appropriate and correct, so today I propose to consider what aggression means in psychology in order to distinguish it from other states and forms of manifestation of oneself.
Difference of terms
First, let’s see what this term means in psychology. Aggression is a style of behavior of a person in stressful situations when her needs are not met. Intentional harm. As a person, animal, and inanimate objects. Often it serves as a tool for the survival of any living creature. To protect yourself or your loved ones, to protect territory or rights — sometimes you have to intentionally destroy another. Otherwise he will do it.
Aggression is already a personality trait. That is, a way of responding to any stimulus. Such a person, in principle, is ready to join the battle at any moment. Aggressive perception is a feature of interpreting what is happening in the environment as something that poses a threat. So to say, the worldview of a person is a little distorted and of the same type.
Components
There are components thanks to which we can determine its presence in a person. Namely:
- It is a form of behavior. And not just an emotion, as many believe. For example, when a person is angry, he does not always harm others. He may be able to somehow deal with his feelings, show them constructively, resolving the conflict, and not vice versa, aggravating it. But it is possible to commit aggressive acts without experiencing anger, irritation and other things at all. For example, people who committed brutal murders usually stated that they had no negative feelings towards the victims. Moreover, sometimes they were not even familiar with them. As they say, nothing personal.
- Always pre-planned, purposeful. If a person commits a murder by negligence or hurts someone, completely unwillingly — he is not considered as aggressive. Yes, they can judge, punish, and so on, but make allowances for unintentional actions. Let’s say a friend joked with you, it turned out to be insulting. If you realize that he specifically wanted to hurt you, will you continue to have such a close relationship with him? Most likely not, but what if he did it out of stupidity, without thinking about the consequences, just wanting to amuse you? You will get angry, which is quite natural, but it is unlikely that the reaction will be the same as in the first option.
- The goal is destruction. Always. This desire to harm others can be discerned by a grin, an angry or frowning facial expression. Such a person will even smile with tension, slightly showing his teeth. And then, more from the anticipation of unpleasant events that will follow his actions.
Classification
By orientation
- Out. That is, there is a destruction of surrounding people, objects, animals and so on.
- To myself. The vector of anger is directed at one’s own personality. Such a person may experience not only irritation and dissatisfaction, but also disgust. He will blame himself and try to destroy with the help of prolonged actions. For example, lead an immoral way of life, abuse alcohol or drugs, get involved in dangerous sports, stop eating or vice versa, constantly overeat. In general, lead an addictive lifestyle.
By purpose
- Instrumental. Used to achieve goals. Female dolphins punish their cubs for wrongdoing by swimming above them and not giving them the opportunity to surface in order to get a portion of oxygen. They do this not out of a desire to harm them, but as an educational process so that they finally learn some important rule. Ignoring which could cost them their lives in the future.
- Hostile. Here the situation is completely opposite. Not only the target is well understood, but also the object that is planned to be damaged. It doesn’t matter if it’s material, moral or physical. Erich Fromm was of the opinion that this type of manifestation of aggression is characteristic of indecisive people. When they are unable to express their feelings or stand up for boundaries, then they want to hurt those who are great at it. Or because of whom, as it seems, life does not add up.
By expression method
- Physical. That is, the use of physical force. This may be beating, inflicting injuries with a firearm or cold weapon.
- Verbal. Simply put, when they offend, threaten, humiliate, be rude. Or they use profanity and personal information to “hit” more painfully in weak spots.
By severity
- Indirect. Hidden, veiled. Another person may sometimes not realize that actions are being taken towards him that will harm him. For example, gossip or slander. It is not always possible to understand who was the first to spread false information. Also jokes, but not such that they cause joyful laughter and pleasant sensations. No, these are cruel jokes that hurt and offend. Refusal to communicate, explain the reasons for their condition, slamming the door, turning off the phone at the time of the conversation … By the way, the one who uses unpleasant jokes may not be aware of what is happening, not track what he feels. But at the same time cause pain.
- Straight. When they do not hide, but act directly and declare their true attitude. Then you don’t have to guess about something, everything is clear to everyone.
By initiative
- Defensive. It is used by the police to protect civilians from criminals. Parents will protect their child to the last, even if it means using violence. Animals protect their owners, the territory in which they live. And with their friendliness, they can attack the one who poses a threat.
- Provocative. Taking action to provoke another to attack.
Causes
Sigmund Freud believed that aggressiveness is innate. It is, as it were, part of the instincts that ensure survival. And curbing instincts is not for everyone. It is also scientifically proven that it is inherited. Kirsty Lagerspecz conducted an experiment on mice. She, having divided more than two dozen generations into calm and ferocious, eventually received clean litters. That is, violent mice and those who did not seek to harm others.
Elevated blood sugar also affects the sensitivity of the nervous system to external stimuli. Any chemicals in the body can trigger destructive behavior. Everyone knows that most crimes or fights are committed while intoxicated.
In addition to the above factors that affect the behavior of the individual, there are a number of reasons due to which aggressiveness makes itself felt.
Self-control
At the moment of frustration, that is, when a situation arises that prevents the satisfaction of some need, a person has a lot of tension. To cope with it, the psyche created the so-called restraining mechanisms. They block the natural reaction — to destroy what does not allow to achieve the goal. Or the one who gets in the way.
So, everyone has a different level of self-control. There are individuals who are completely unable to control themselves, which is why they constantly commit violence against other people, animals. The slightest stress and they «flare». But the most dangerous are those who have excessively developed restraining mechanisms. Such a person will show restraint and composure even at critical moments when anyone would «lose his head.»
Due to restraint, emotions and energy are not realized, but accumulated. The resources of the body one day fail, which is not surprising. And then it can «break through». Often such moments become fatal, when the power of rage and destruction does not at all correspond to the situation. Everyone who is near or on the way suffers.
Family system
From the point of view of psychology, aggressiveness is mostly the result of family upbringing. The conditions in which a child grows up leave an indelible mark on his future life.
For example, parents who physically punish their children form the impression in them that it is okay to use force against those who are weaker. That if there is no mood, you can release anger on those who are nearby. And the more severe the punishment, the more actively cruelty and insensitivity will develop. A defense mechanism comes into force so as not to suffer because of injustice, it is easier not to feel anything at all.
Children take a model of behavior from their parental family. Why, being constantly suppressed and enduring, or constantly observing violence — they will behave the same way with the people around them, not realizing that this is not right. For them, humiliation, physical punishment in case of disobedience and so on is the norm.
Another important factor is the lack of inclusion in the process of education. When an adult does not care about his child, he is not interested in what is happening to him and in general, where he is and what he is doing. Or there are often situations when the mother provides all the physiological needs of the baby, but is not able to give him love. That is, it is functional, but indifferent emotionally. Then there is a desire to attract attention in any way. And most often, destructive methods are chosen, that is, vandalism, self-harm or fights with peers.
What to do?
Substitution and discharge
Don’t let negative energy build up. Holding on to anger, as already mentioned, does not lead to anything good. As well as its uncontrolled manifestation. Try to anticipate the consequences of your reactions and activities. If you understand that by speaking out, you will destroy, say, a career, and it doesn’t work out to find words to prevent such unpleasant events, then try to release energy in a safe environment.
You need to choose an object on which you can safely discharge. For example, beat a pillow or a pear. If it’s not a pity — the dishes. Shout into the water, it muffles the sound, which allows you to bring yourself back to normal even at home.
Sport
Going in for sports, you will not only lose energy, but also realize your natural need for competition. Which is especially true for men with high testosterone levels, which means they are active and aggressive. In almost any sport, not only technical skills and intelligence are important, but also attentiveness, the ability to concentrate and control your reactions. Practice meditation, with its help you will improve not only health, but also achieve emotional balance.
Mindfulness
Strive to always find the causes of any experiences. Knowing your own personality, you will understand exactly at what moments you lose control, fall into a rage, and so on. Listen to what is being said about you. Feedback on your actions will help you understand what you should pay attention to in self-development.
Reconsider your value system, correctly set priorities will help to restrain the manifestation of aggression. Look for constructive ways to meet needs, get out of critical situations. Especially during conflicts. If you do not know how to resolve them, use the recommendations that are located at this link.
Completion
Engage in self-development and before you say or do something, ask yourself whether it will help you achieve what you want and whether it will harm others. Be attentive and be sensitive to your own feelings and to the people around you. To do this better, engage in the development of emotional intelligence. It helps to build trusting and close relationships, promote your interests and live quality, breathing deeply. Take care of yourself and be happy!
The material was prepared by a psychologist, Gestalt therapist, Zhuravina Alina