Psy 362 Topic 6 DQ 2
How do you define aggression? How aggressive do you think humans usually are? How aggressive do
you think they are by nature? Are these the same or different? Why and how? How is acting aggressively
different from acting assertively?
Class,
Thank you for a great question that relates to everyday society. I define aggression in much the
same way as most people. Aggression to me is a physical or verbal threating act from one person
to another (Lecture 6, 2010). Aggression can come in many different forms such as yelling or
throwing things. The commonality that an act has to contain in order to be considered aggressive
is that it is a threat (perceived or actual) against another. Some people are more aggressive than
others from time to time.
Humans are usually not too aggressive to one another in social settings. Aggression is found in
sports and activities that require some sort of physical activity or perceived competition. The
perceived competition also includes driving aggressively (road rage). While physical activity can
cause aggressive behavior, overall people are usually not too aggressive unless they feel
threatened in some way. Call it an instinct to protect one’s self or family.
Overall it can be sometimes difficult to know if people are aggressive naturally or the
environment adds to their aggression. Looking at this situation from a strictly anthropological
perspective, I would conclude that the aggression that one shows is a naturally occurring feeling
that is usually kept at bay do to societal constraints.
When people act in an assertive way they do not threaten or alarm others around them. When
aggression is shown however, people tend to move away from the aggressor and the situation. I
look forward to the thoughts on this matter from my classmates.
References
Lecture 6, (2010).PSY-369: Aggression and Law. Phoenix, AZ. Grand Canyon University.
How do you define aggression? How aggressive do you think humans usually are? How aggressive do
you think they are by nature? Are these the same or different? Why and how? How is acting aggressively
different from acting assertively?
Class,
Thank you for a great question that relates to everyday society. I define aggression in much the
same way as most people. Aggression to me is a physical or verbal threating act from one person
to another (Lecture 6, 2010). Aggression can come in many different forms such as yelling or
throwing things. The commonality that an act has to contain in order to be considered aggressive
is that it is a threat (perceived or actual) against another. Some people are more aggressive than
others from time to time.
Humans are usually not too aggressive to one another in social settings. Aggression is found in
sports and activities that require some sort of physical activity or perceived competition. The
perceived competition also includes driving aggressively (road rage). While physical activity can
cause aggressive behavior, overall people are usually not too aggressive unless they feel
threatened in some way. Call it an instinct to protect one’s self or family.
Overall it can be sometimes difficult to know if people are aggressive naturally or the
environment adds to their aggression. Looking at this situation from a strictly anthropological
perspective, I would conclude that the aggression that one shows is a naturally occurring feeling
that is usually kept at bay do to societal constraints.
When people act in an assertive way they do not threaten or alarm others around them. When
aggression is shown however, people tend to move away from the aggressor and the situation. I
look forward to the thoughts on this matter from my classmates.
References
Lecture 6, (2010).PSY-369: Aggression and Law. Phoenix, AZ. Grand Canyon University.
