Pro and Anti Social Behaviour
Pro- and Anti-Social Behaviour a) Nature and causes of aggression Use for: a) Outline two psychological theories of aggression (12 marks) b) Evaluate two theories of aggression that you outlined in part a) in terms of relevant research studies (12 marks) a) Outline and evaluate two psychological theories of aggression (24 marks) Aggression is an example of anti-social behaviour. It has been defined as 'any form of behaviour directed towards the goal of harming or injuring another living being who is motivated to avoid such harm'. Social Psychological theories of aggression These explain aggression as a result of social interactions Social Learning Theory (SLT) One of the most influential theories of aggression is the Social Learning theory put forward by Bandura (1973). The nature of the theory suggests human aggression is learned either through direct experience or by observing aggressive behaviour in other people i.e. indirect experience. Bandura produced two assumptions in relation to the social learning theory. He stated that if a child acts aggressively against another child and as a result gets what they want, their aggressive behaviour has been reinforced. This is an example of learning by direct experience, derived from the principles of the traditional learning theory; operant and classical conditioning. Secondly, he stated that if a child
The experiment conducted tested the theory of conformity under the influence of group pressure.
Abstract The experiment conducted tested the theory of conformity under the influence of group pressure. Solomon Asch, whose theory on "Effects of Group Pressure upon the Modification and Distortion of Judgements" (1951), was partially replicated during this study, suggested that conformity occurs within a group setting due to the pressure the group placed upon the individual. Whilst this theory has been supported by various other research, in this instance it was not. Twenty-six participants were selected for this study by opportunity sampling and were required to complete six tasks based on their perception. A repeated measures design was used. Their answers were then recorded in the form of whether or not they conformed to the group. Analysis of the results was gained by use of the Chi Squared test. This gave an ?2 value of 23.516 at a critical value of 37.65 with 25 degrees of freedom for a one tailed hypothesis at a 0.05 level of significance. This indicated that participants did not give significantly more incorrect answers in the experimental condition of the task than in the controlled condition. The null hypothesis was therefore accepted and the alternative hypothesis rejected. The conclusions drawn were that the findings of the study do not provide evidence that group pressure significantly influences an individual to conform to pre established group
The Matching Hypothesis
Abstract My study aimed to test the matching hypothesis and see if there was a correlation between the ratings of physical attraction for real couples. In order to test this hypothesis an opportunity sample was used at a local shopping centre where willing participants were given a questionnaire which had 20 pictures of the opposite sex. They were asked to rate the physical attractiveness of the individuals on a scale of 1-10. The questionnaires comprised of males and females (from a real relationship) and also males and females that were randomly selected (fake couples - control group). Once the results had been collected they were analysed and then run through a statistical test to measure the strength of the correlation (rho) - Spearman's rank correlation test. The critical value of rho at a 5% level for a one tailed hypothesis with 10 pieces of data was 0.564. The observed value of rho for the correlation of the real couples in my study was 0.327. This number was lower than the critical value and as a result deemed insignificant. For this reason I decided to reject my alternative hypothesis and accept the null. This shows similar physical attraction is not the only decider when individuals are looking for a partner. Introduction Physical attractiveness is characterised by many things and it is very often the reason for the formation of relationships. An individual may
whether leading questions can affect a person's memory of a question and insert an object that is not there into the memory.
Introduction Memory is the minds ability to store information and use it. A single process has yet not been defined about it and several theories exist about its nature. It has a huge role on our everyday lives and can be categorised into two main parts: short-term memory and long-term memory. Short-term memory stores a limited amount of information for a period of a few seconds. It can also be referred to as the 'primary', 'working' or 'active' part of the memory. On the other hand, long-term memory is stored as meaning and can last from 30 seconds to time periods as long as decades. The reliability of memory is often questioned. Memory is extremely malleable. Studies have shown that memories are often constructed after the fact has been told, and suggestions from others help fill the gaps. For example, if a police officer shows a witness a picture of an assailant and then shown a line-up of possible assailants, whether the witness is recalling the person they saw or the person in the picture is questionable. Bartlett (1932) investigated the effect of schema on a participant's recall of a story. A schema is a mental structure that represents some aspect of the world. They are used by people to organise current knowledge and is thought to provide a framework for future understanding. His theory of reconstructive memory is crucial to an understanding of eyewitness testimony
An Investigation to see whether the halo effect is present when rating personality traits of 'attractive' and 'unattractive' people.
An Investigation to see whether the halo effect is present when rating personality traits of 'attractive' and 'unattractive' people. Contents Page. Abstract- Page 1 Introduction- Pages 2-3 Method- Pages 4-6 Procedure- Page 7 Results- Page 8 Discussion- Pages 9-10 Appendix- Page 11 Condition 1- Page 12 Condition 2- Page 13 Raw Data- Page 14 Results- Page 15 Wilcoxon Test- Page 16 Brief- Page 17 Standardised Instructions- Page 18 Debrief- Page 19 References- Page 20 Abstract. The 'halo effect' refers to the subjective bias of which an individual see's another physically attractive person as having positive personality traits whereas they see an unattractive person as having undesirable personality traits. The aim of the investigation was to see whether the halo effect is present when rating personality traits of 'attractive' and 'unattractive' people. The hypothesis of the investigation was 'There will be a significant difference in the rating of personality traits of 'attractive' and 'unattractive' pictures of two individuals. The research method for the investigation was experimental using repeated measures design as this was more time efficient. The sampling method used was opportunity sampling whereby 10 pupils from Skipton Girls' High School took part in the investigation. Results of this investigation support the experimental hypothesis as there
AS Communication Studies Presentation
Investigation Essay I have chosen to investigate gender stereotypes in the media, with the significant breakthrough of Angelina Jolie's starring role in Tomb Raider. I believe that, generally, females are rarely shown equally (or superior) to men, within the film industry. I will focus on how this traditional concept has been reversed, and analyse the different communication techniques accompanying this. After examining the promotional poster used to advertise the film, it became apparent that the lead character, Lara Croft, is portrayed as a strong, assertive and powerful female. This is evident from the body language and facial expressions which are used; she has an open, yet challenging body posture, accompanied by a distant gaze; ignorant of all those admiring her beauty. This communication text can be viewed as entropic, as it is high in new information; the sort society has rarely seen before. The poster used to promote the second film, 'Lara Croft: Tomb Raider The Cradle of Life', is similar in many respects as it features Lara Croft as the main character. However, this time a semantic communication barrier is present. That is, the audience is prevented from knowing the full title of the film, as the action heroine is masking it from view. The preferred reading is that the audience will recognise the action figure, and all that she represents, from the huge success
Focus Group Research gives the researcher access to tacit, uncodified and experiential knowledge in a way that might no otherwise be possible - Discuss.
Focus Group Research gives the researcher access to tacit, uncodified and experiential knowledge in a way that might no otherwise be possible. Discuss. Introduction: Focus group research offers the unique opportunity for researchers to perceive an individual, and their opinions, not only in an exclusive situation, but also as part of a group. Within a group there is a wealth of tacit and experiential knowledge from the outset as in the course of most people's lives they will have interacted with other people in group situations. Bryman (2001) refers to the focused interview as the precept for focus group research, 'The original idea for the focus group- the focused interview- was that people who were known to have a certain experience could be interviewed in a relatively unstructured way about the experience.'(p.336-7) Bryman (2001) notes that the main aims and merits of focus group research include the discovery of how people have constructed their knowledge, why they think what they do; Issues that concern the participants are bought to the fore as the moderator relinquishes power. Throughout the course of the group participants are challenged and may change or revise their views. The researcher may also use the concepts of group dynamics to study the ways in which individuals make sense of a phenomenon. Focus group research differs from a group interview, as the
Preventing and Reducing Crime
Access to Nursing and Healthcare Professions 2007 Crime Psychology (Assignment 1 of 3) For: Richard By: Stephen Davies "Discuss explanations of criminal behaviour focussing consideration on their usefulness in the prevention and reduction of criminal behaviour". Contents Access to Nursing and Healthcare Professions 2007 1 Contents 2 Introduction 3 Preventing and Reducing Crime - Insights and Theories 4 Social Psychology Theories Of Crime 4 Differential Association 5 Social Theories at a Glance 7 Social Factors- Family 7 School and Peers 8 Economic Factors 9 Anti-social Personality Disorder 10 Biological Theory of Criminality 11 Biology of Crime, Generalised 14 Sheldon (1942)- Body Types 15 Sheldon's Somatotype 15 Character 15 Shape 15 Picture 15 Conclusion 16 References 18 Introduction Psychology is relatively new compared to other majors such as Law, Politics and Science. However, since psychology has been studied at a recognised level, many people have learned many a things about human behaviour. Psychology is a far field that overlooks all aspects of human behaviour, such as social influences, stress, pain and crime. For this essay, the question asked was "discuss explanations of criminal behaviour focussing consideration on their usefulness in the prevention and reduction of criminal behaviour". The following information looks at the
PHISIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY
The role of the frontal lobes in adaptive functioning Table of Contents Introduction 3 2 The Structure and Functional Anatomy of the Frontal Lobes 3 2.1 Figure 1. A diagrammatic representation of the brain 5 3 Luria's Model of Brain Function 5 4 The Complex Function of Frontal Lobes 6 5 No Longer En-Gage-ing; What Happens When The Frontal Lobes Go Wrong? 6 5.1 The Frontal Lobes and Personality 7 5.2 The Frontal Lobes and Executive Function / Drive 8 5.2.1 Theories of frontal lobe function 9 5.2.1.1 Working memory 9 5.2.1.2 Controlled vs Automatic processes 9 5.2.1.3 Use of Scripts 9 5.2.1.4 Guidance of Behaviour Towards a Goal 9 5.3 The Frontal Lobes and Emotion / Mood and Affect 9 5.4 The Frontal Lobes and Self Reflectiveness 10 5.5 The Frontal Lobes and Speech, Language and Motor Symptoms 10 6 Conclusion 11 7 References 12 Introduction No single theory has managed to comprehensively explain front lobe functionality. Many theories exist that explain frontal lobe functionality, which focus on various aspects of functionality such as planning and ability to moderate behaviour, social behaviour, personality and emotion. The frontal lobes are complex in their functionality and only a synthesis of the various theories can begin to present a more adequate picture of the various functions of the frontal lobe, as well the importance of the various other parts of
The aim of this practical was to attempt to replicate Harrison and Saeed,s (1977) analysis of lonely hearts advertisements using a quantitative technique, to test the hypothesis that when personal advertisement are placed
Socialisation Race and Gender. Project: Mate Selection. By: Delroy Flemmings. Year 1 Abstract. The aim of this practical was to attempt to replicate Harrison and Saeed,s (1977) analysis of lonely hearts advertisements using a quantitative technique, to test the hypothesis that when personal advertisement are placed in various publications, from the local newspaper to national tabloids, that general level of social desirability offered matched the level of social level of desirability sought, and individuals seeking attractiveness in a partner were more likely to offer physical attractiveness of their own. 80 heterosexual romantic advertisement (40 of each sex) placed in the personal column, from one of the local newspaper were randomly collected and analysed. Each were put into identical categories as in Harrison and Saeed (1977) study. The results were generally supportive of that men were more likely than women to offer financial resources and honesty/sincerity, and to seek attractiveness, appealing body shape. In selecting a potential mate, women were more likely than men to offer an appealing body shape and to seek financial resources, qualities likely to lead to resource acquisition, and honesty/sincerity in potential mates. Women were also more likely than men to seek male friendship and/or companionship and to offer greater involvement only after the
