The Social Psychology of Aggression

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Series: Social Psychology: A Modular Course.

This book provides an up-to-date overview of social-psychological research in the field of aggression. It presents a balanced account of both theoretical and applied issues and explores strategies designed to control, reduce and prevent aggression on both an individual and a societal level.

The book follows the broad division of basic and applied research in the area. First, it deals with the theoretical approaches that have been taken to conceptualise, explain, measure and predict the occurrence of aggression as a particular form of social behaviour. Issues discussed include individual differences in aggressive behaviour, the role of situational factors such as alcohol in eliciting aggression and the impact of media violence on viewers' aggressive response tendencies. Second, it addresses the manifestations of aggression in different areas of life, and the concerns of applied psychologists and practitioners regarding the damaging effects of aggression on individuals, groups and societies. Included are chapters on aggression in the public sphere, domestic violence, and sexual aggression. Topics such as bullying, gang violence, ethnic violence, and violence in the family are also covered.

The Social Psychology of Aggression will be of interest to students and researchers in psychology, sociology, law, media studies, and social work. It will also be useful to practitioners and policy makers working in areas such as domestic violence, sexual aggression, childhood and adolescent aggression, bullying and gang violence.

Table of Contents

Preface. Introduction. Part 1. Concepts and Measures of Aggression. Defining Aggression. The Measurement of Aggression. Summary. Suggested Reading. Part 2. Theories of Aggressive Behaviour. Biological Explanations. Psychological Explanations. Summary. Suggested Reading. Part 3. Individual Differences in Aggression. The Development of Aggressive Behaviour. Personality and Aggression in Adulthood. Gender Differences in Aggressive Behaviour. Summary. Suggested Reading. Part 4. Situational Influences on Aggression. Aggressive Cues. Alcohol. Temperature. Other Environmental Stressors. Summary. Suggested Reading. Part 5. Media Violence and Aggression. Short-term Effects of Media Violence. Long-term Effects of Media Violence. The Effects of Pornography. Explaining the Media Violence-aggression Link. Summary. Suggested Reading. Part 6. Aggression in the Public Sphere. Bullying in School and at the Workplace. Ethnic and Politically Motivated Violence. Collective Violence. Homicide. Summary. Suggested Reading. Part 7. Domestic Violence. Child Abuse and Maltreatment. Partner Abuse and Wife Battering. Elder Abuse and Neglect. Explaining Domestic Violence. Summary. Suggested Reading. Part 8. Sexual Aggression. Definition and Prevalence of Sexual Aggression. Causal Explanations of Sexual Aggression. Risk Factors of Sexual Victimisation. Consequences of Sexual Victimisation. Sexually Aggressive Women. Summary. Suggested Reading. Part 9. Controlling and Preventing Aggressive Behaviour. General Strategies for Reducing Aggression. Tackling Bullying and Gang Violence. Preventing Domestic Violence. Preventing Sexual Aggression. Summary. Suggested Reading. References. Author Index. Subject Index.

Reviews

Readers will find evidence which leads them to new insights in daily life and to a better understanding of the dynamics behind aggressive behaviour. - Hans-Werner Bierhoff, Ruhr-Universität Bochum

A very well-organized and wide-ranging overview of most of the current thinking in the area of aggression, this text should be one of the top choices for undergraduate courses on aggression. - Jeff Bryson, San Diego State University

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