The social psychology of violence and aggression

Abstract

This chapter examines theories which attempt to explain why people become aggressive and violent, focusing on social interactionist views of aggression. It discusses the contributory roles of social development, the environment, arousal, anger and alcohol, in the exhibition of violence and aggression. Aggressive behaviour becomes more likely as each individual involved responds to the other's actions, words or posture in such a way as to escalate the interaction to a point where the options to respond peacefully become more and more limited. The interpretation and labelling of a behavioural episode as 'aggressive' entails complex social judgements about the participants' intentions and motives, set within the norms and expectations relevant to the particular social situation. The social learning school of thought developed as a movement which argued that aggression was generally used to achieve a desired end. Researchers argue that a combination of deindividuation and a heightened attendance to external cues from other group members may underlie inner-city youth gang violence.