The facts of violence, in which harm is done to specific persons, is called aggression. Every day a person either personally or hears from others about how badly they have been treated.

If we talk about the moral side of this issue, then aggressive behavior is considered bad, evil, unacceptable. But why does a person allow himself to get angry and hurt himself or others?

What is Aggression?

What is aggression? There are many opinions about what aggression is. Some say that aggression is an instinctive reaction and manifestation of a person. Others argue that aggression is due to frustration - the desire to defuse. Still others indicate that aggression is a social phenomenon when a person adopts it from others or is influenced by negative past experiences.

In psychology, aggression is understood as destructive behavior in which a person causes physical harm or creates psychological discomfort to other people. Psychiatry considers aggression as a person's desire to protect themselves from an unpleasant and traumatic situation. Aggression is also understood as a way of self-affirmation.

Aggressive behavior is considered directed at a living object. However, the website of the psychological help site claims that smashing dishes or walls can soon turn into violence against living beings. Aggression is often equated with rage, anger, or anger. However, an aggressive person does not always experience emotions. There are cold-blooded people who become aggressive under the influence of their prejudices, beliefs or views.

What reasons push a person to such behavior? Anger can be directed both at other people and at oneself. The reasons can be different, as well as the forms of manifestation of aggression. Each case is individual. Psychologists note something else: it is important to be able to cope with your own aggression, which manifests itself in every person. If someone needs help, he can get it. This is what the psychological help site does, a site where a person can not only read useful information, but also work out their negative sides, which often interfere with building favorable relationships with others.

Manifestation of aggression

Aggression manifests itself in different ways. Depending on the goal that is achieved by aggressive actions, and the methods of committed actions, aggression can be benign and malignant:

1. Benign aggression refers to courage, courage, ambition, perseverance, bravery.
2. Malignant aggression is understood as violence, rudeness, cruelty.

Every living being is aggressive. In every organism there are genes that allow you to show aggression for the sake of survival, saving yourself from death. So, they distinguish defensive aggression, which occurs at the moment of danger. It is present in all living beings. When a living organism is in danger, it becomes resolute, runs away, attacks, defends itself.

In contrast to this aggression, there is a destructive one, which is inherent only in man. It has no meaning or purpose. It arises only on the basis of emotions, feelings, thoughts of a person who simply did not like something.

There is another manifestation of aggression - pseudo-aggression. It occurs in situations where a person must make every effort to achieve a goal. For example, during a competition, athletes become aggressive to give themselves energy and motivation.

A special manifestation of aggression, which is inherent in all living beings, is the desire for survival. When there is not enough food, there is no intimacy, there is no protection, then the body becomes aggressive. Everything is aimed at survival, which is often associated with infringement of the boundaries and freedom of other living beings.

Anyone can become aggressive. Often the strong provoke the weak, who then also look for weaker personalities in order to recoup them. There is no defense against aggression. For everyone, it manifests itself as a reaction to an external stimulus. Both the one who caused it, and the one who just fell under the arm can become a victim of aggression.

The manifestation of aggression is an expression of discontent and dissatisfaction. It can be either open, when a person knocks on the table or constantly “saws”, or hidden - periodic nit-picking.

Types of aggression

As we consider aggression, its types can be distinguished:

• Physical, when force is applied and specific harm is caused to the body.
• Indirect, when irritation is expressed against another person.
• Resistance to established laws and morality.
• Verbal, when a person verbally shows aggression: screams, threatens, blackmails, etc.
• Envy, hatred, resentment for unfulfilled dreams.
• Suspicion, which manifests itself in distrust of persons when it seems that they are up to something bad.
• Feelings of guilt arising from the thought that a person is bad.
• Direct - the spread of gossip.
• Directed (there is a goal) and disordered (random passers-by become victims).
• Active or passive (“put a spoke in the wheel”).
• Self-hatred is self-hatred.
• Heteroaggression - anger is directed towards others: violence, threats, murders, etc.
• Instrumental, when aggression is used as a method to achieve a goal.
• Reactive, when it manifests itself as a reaction to some external stimulus.
• Spontaneous, when it appears without good reason. It often occurs as a result of internal phenomena, for example, mental illness.
• Motivational (targeted), which is done consciously for the purpose of intentionally causing damage and causing pain.
• Expressive when it manifests itself in facial expressions, gestures, and the voice of a person. His words and actions do not express aggression, however, his posture and tone of voice suggest otherwise.

It is human nature to get angry. And the most important question that worries everyone who has become a victim of someone else's aggression is why they shouted at him, beat him, etc.? Everyone is concerned about the reasons for aggressive behavior, especially if the aggressor did not explain anything. And how aggression is different has already been considered.

Causes of aggression

There are many reasons for aggressive behavior. Aggression is different and happens in different situations, so you should often look at the complex of everything that happens in order to understand the motives of a person’s actions.

1. Substance abuse (alcohol, drugs, etc.). Under the influence of drugs, a person cannot adequately respond to a specific situation.
2. Personal problems that are associated with dissatisfaction in personal relationships, intimacy, loneliness, etc. Any mention of this problem causes a negative reaction.
3. Psychic traumas of childhood. Developed neurosis against the background of dysfunctional relationships with parents.
4. Authoritarian and strict upbringing that develops internal aggression.
5. Watching films and programs where the topic of violence is actively discussed.
6. Inadequate rest, overwork.

Aggression can be a symptom of a serious illness that is often associated with damage to the brain:

• Schizophrenia.
• Encephalitis.
• Neurasthenia.
• Meningitis.
• Epileptoid psychopathy, etc.

Public influence should not be excluded. Religious movements, propaganda, racial hatred, morality, images of politicians or strong personalities that are aggressive develop a similar quality in observers.

Often the people who caused the harm cite a bad mood or even a mental disorder. In fact, only 12% of all aggressive people are mentally ill. Other personalities show their negative emotions as a result of an incorrect reaction to what is happening, as well as a lack of self-control.

Aggression is noted as a person's dissatisfaction with life in general or a specific case in particular. Accordingly, the main cause is dissatisfaction, which a person does not eliminate by favorable actions.

Verbal aggression

Almost everyone has experienced this form of aggression. Verbal aggression is the most common and obvious. Firstly, the tone of the speaker's voice changes: he switches to a shout, raises his voice, makes it more rude. Secondly, the context of what is being said changes.

Psychologists note many forms of verbal aggression. A person in everyday life is faced with such manifestations of it:

1. Insults, threats, blackmail.
2. Slander, gossip.
3. Silence in response to human questions, refusal to communicate, ignoring replicas.
4. Refusal to protect another person who is being criticized.

The question still remains whether silence is a way of aggression. There is no clear answer here. It all depends on the reasons for the silence of the person who performs this action. If silence occurs with accompanying aggressive emotions, anger, unwillingness to speak, because it can be rude, then we are talking about verbal aggression of a passive nature. However, if a person is silent because he has not heard or is not interested in the topic of the conversation, therefore he wants to transfer it to another topic, remains calm and in a good mood, then there is no question of any aggression.

Due to the social system and morality, which punishes everyone who shows physical aggression, people are forced to use the only way of its manifestation - words. Aggression is openly expressed in specific threats, insults and humiliation of the personality of another. Secretly aggression is manifested by persecution and pressure on a person, for example, by spreading gossip. Although these types of verbal aggression are unacceptable, a person is not deprived of liberty for them. That's why people continue to use this look as a way to communicate with those they are unhappy with.

Speech aggression

Let us dwell directly on the verbal form of manifestation of aggression, which is the most common in society. Speech aggression is manifested in swearing, negative assessments (criticism), offensive words, obscene speech, mocking intonation, rude irony, indecent hints, raised voice.

What the aggressor does causes irritation and indignation. Aggression of both the first and second interlocutors arises on the basis of negative emotions that arise immediately or after some time. Some people immediately talk about what angers them, others only after a while begin to show their aggression in various ways towards those who humiliated or insulted them.

Often, verbal aggression is the result of a person's dislike for a certain group of people. For example, low social status can provoke an unfriendly attitude of the individual towards the one with whom he communicates. Such confrontation is possible both in the ascending hierarchy and in the descending one. For example, latent aggression is often manifested in subordinates in relation to the boss and in the boss in relation to subordinates. Subordinates often feel jealous of the high position of leadership, as well as his commanding tone. The boss may hate subordinates because he considers them stupid, weak, inferior beings.

Rarely, the causes of verbal aggression are education, mental characteristics, and a breakdown.

Undoubtedly, society considers the issue of not only extinguishing negative emotions in itself when they arise, but also preventing conflicts with people who show anger. It should be understood that sometimes aggression is acceptable because it helps in achieving certain goals, for example, suppressing the enemy. However, this method should not be used as a universal one.

Approaches to aggression

Scientists from various fields of science are considering approaches to aggression. For each representative, it means something different. The normative approach perceives aggression as destructive behavior that does not comply with the norms of morality and ethics of society. The criminal approach also considers aggression as an act of an illegal act, which is aimed at causing physical and moral harm to a living object.

• The deep psychological approach perceives aggressive behavior as instinctive, inherent in all living beings.
• The target approach perceives aggression as a purposeful action. From the point of view of achieving the goal, evolution, adaptation, appropriation of important resources, dominance.
• Schwab and Koeroglou consider aggressive behavior as a person's desire to establish the integrity of his life. When it is violated, a person becomes aggressive.
• Kaufma considers aggression as a way of acquiring the resources necessary for life, which is dictated by the natural need for survival.
• Erich Fromm viewed aggressive behavior as a desire to dominate and dominate living beings.
• Wilson characterized the aggressive nature of a person as a desire to eliminate the actions of another subject who, by his actions, infringes on his freedom or genetic survival.
• Matsumoto defined aggression as an act that causes pain and harm, physical or mental, to another individual.
• Shcherbina characterized verbal aggression as a verbal manifestation of feelings, intentions and desires in relation to another person.
• Cognitive theory considers aggression as a way of learning to contact a person with external factors.
• Other theories combine the above concepts to understand the nature of aggressive behavior.

Forms of aggression

Erich Fromm identified the following forms of aggression:

• Reactive. When a person realizes that his freedom, life, dignity or property is in danger, he shows aggression. Here he can defend himself, take revenge, be jealous, envy, be disappointed, etc.
• Archaic bloodlust.
• Game. A person sometimes just wants to show their dexterity and skills. It is at this moment that he can resort to vicious jokes, mockery, sarcasm. There is no hate or anger here. A person is simply playing something that can irritate his interlocutor.
• Compensatory (malignant). It is a manifestation of destructiveness, violence, cruelty, which helps a person to make his life full, not boring, filled.

A person who becomes prone to aggression has the following characteristics:

1. Susceptibility, vulnerability, acute experience of discomfort.
2. Impulsiveness.
3. Absent-mindedness, which leads to emotional aggressiveness, and thoughtfulness, which provokes instrumental aggressiveness.
4. Hostile interpretation of what is happening.

A person is not able to completely get rid of his aggression, because sometimes it is useful and necessary. It is here that he allows himself to express his nature. Only a person who knows how to control his emotions (without suppressing them) is able to fully live. Aggression only in rare cases becomes constructive compared to those episodes when it is used in full force.

Teen Aggression

Quite often, psychologists note aggression in childhood. It becomes very bright in adolescence. It is this stage that becomes the most emotional. Adolescent aggression can manifest itself against anyone: peers, parents, animals, younger children. A common cause of aggression is self-affirmation. The manifestation of strength in an aggressive form seems to be a sign of greatness and power.

Adolescent aggression is an intentional act aimed at causing harm. Remaining frequent are cases where three parties are involved:

1. The aggressor is the teenager himself.
2. A victim is a person who is targeted by a teenager's aggression.
3. Spectators are people who can become bystanders or provocateurs who provoke aggression in a teenager. They do not participate in the process of manifestation of aggression, but only observe what the aggressor and his victim are doing.

Adolescents of different sexes show aggression in the following ways:

• Boys tease, trip, fight, kick.
• Girls boycott, gossip, get offended.

The place and age of the aggressor does not matter, since this emotion manifests itself at any time from an early age.

Teenage aggression is explained by psychologists by the changes that occur during puberty. A former child who has not yet become an adult is afraid of the future, is not ready for responsibility and independence, and does not know how to control his emotional experiences. A significant role here is played by relationships with parents, as well as the influence of the media.

Here are the types of aggressive teenagers:

1. Hyperactive, who grew up in a family where everything was allowed to him.
2. Touchy, which is characterized by vulnerability, irritability.
3. Oppositional defiant, who defiantly opposes people whom he does not consider his authority.
4. Aggressive-fearful, in which fears and suspicion are manifested.
5. Aggressive-insensitive, which is not characterized by sympathy, empathy.

Male aggression

Men are often the standards of aggression. It seems that women shouldn't be as aggressive as men. However, this feeling is common to everyone. Aggression of men often manifests itself in an open form. At the same time, the stronger sex does not feel guilt and anxiety. For them, this emotion is a kind of companion that helps to achieve goals and form a special model of behavior.

Scientists put forward the theory that male aggression is a genetic factor. In all ages, men had to conquer territories and lands, wage wars, protect their families, etc. At the same time, representatives of the weaker sex note this quality, which manifests itself in dominance and leadership, as attractive to themselves.

A modern man has many reasons why aggression is manifested in him:

• Dissatisfaction with their social and financial situation.
• Lack of a culture of behavior.
• Lack of self-confidence.
• The absence of other forms of manifestation of their independence and strength.

In the current situation, when a man is required to be financially viable and successful, while there are practically no opportunities to achieve these statuses, the stronger sex has a high level of anxiety. Each time, society reminds a man in various ways of how insolvent he is. Often this is reinforced by the disorder of personal life or the lack of sexual relations with women.

Men are trained to keep their feelings to themselves. However, aggression comes out, which is a consequence of the disorder of life. It is difficult for a man to use all his possibilities in a world where he must be cultured and benevolent, since anger and rage are often punishable.

Aggression of women

Aggression is often associated with male behavior. However, women are also prone to discontent, which just manifests itself in slightly different forms. Being a weaker creature than a man, a woman tries to express her aggression a little softly. If the victim appears strong or equal in strength, then the woman's aggression is moderate. If we are talking about a child at whom aggression is directed, then a woman may not restrain herself.

Being a more emotional and social being, a woman is prone to mild or hidden aggression. Women become more aggressive as they get older. Psychologists associate this with dementia and a deterioration in character in a negative direction. At the same time, a woman's satisfaction with her own life remains important. If she is unhappy, unhappy, then her inner tension increases.

Often the aggressiveness of a woman is associated with internal tension and emotional outbursts. A woman is no less subject to various restrictions and obligations than a man. She must create a family and give birth to children, always be beautiful and kind. If a woman does not have good reasons for kindness, a man for creating a family and having children, physiological data for gaining beauty, this greatly depresses her.

The cause of female aggression is often:

• Hormonal imbalance.
• Mental disorders.
• Childhood trauma, hostile attitude towards the mother.
• Negative experiences with the opposite sex.

From childhood, a woman is made dependent on a man. She must be "for-husband." And when relationships with the opposite sex do not add up, which is common in modern society, this causes internal tension and dissatisfaction.

Aggression in the elderly

The most unpleasant and sometimes incomprehensible phenomenon is aggression in the elderly. Children are brought up in the spirit of "respect for elders", as they are smarter and wiser. Their knowledge helps the world become a better place. However, older people are practically no different from younger brothers. The manifestation of aggression by older people becomes a weak quality that does not command respect.

The reason for the aggressiveness of the elderly is a change in life as a result of social degradation. Upon retirement, a person loses his former activity. Here memory decreases, health deteriorates, the meaning of life is lost. An elderly person feels forgotten, unnecessary, lonely. If this is reinforced by a poor existence and lack of interests and hobbies, then the elderly person either becomes depressed or becomes aggressive.

You can call the aggression of older people a way of communicating with others, a method of attracting attention to themselves. Here are the forms of aggression:

1. Grumpiness.
2. Irritability.
3. Resistance to everything new.
4. protest attitude.
5. Baseless accusations and insults.
6. High tendency to conflict.

The main problem of older people is loneliness, especially after the death of one of the spouses. If at the same time children do not pay much attention to an elderly person, then he feels acute loneliness.

Degeneration or infection of brain cells also affects the change in human behavior at any age. Since these phenomena occur mostly in old age, doctors first rule out brain disease as a cause of aggression.

Husband's aggression

In love relationships, the most discussed topic is the aggressiveness of husbands. As women express their despotism in a different way, a vivid manifestation of male aggression becomes common. The causes of conflicts and quarrels in the family are:

1. Unequal distribution of responsibilities.
2. Dissatisfaction with intimate relationships.
3. Different understanding of the rights and obligations of spouses.
4. Not meeting your relationship needs.
5. Unequal contribution of both parties to the relationship.
6. Lack of significance and value of a person by a partner.
7. Financial difficulties.
8. Failure to solve all emerging problems, their accumulation and periodic disputes because of them.

Many problems can cause aggression in a husband, but social status, material wealth and sexual satisfaction become the most important. If a man is not satisfied in all plans, then in the usual way he is looking for the guilty one - his wife. She is not sexy enough to want, does not inspire him to make money, does not become his mainstay, etc.

A dissatisfied and insecure man begins to find fault, quarrel, point out, command a woman. Thus, he tries to normalize his inferior life. If we analyze the situation, it turns out that aggression in husbands arises on the basis of their complexes and insolvency, and not because of their wives.

The mistake of women with aggressive husbands is that they try to build relationships. It is the husbands who should correct the situation, not the women. Here the wives make the following mistakes:

• They talk about their hopes and fears, which further convinces their husbands that they are weak.
• They share their plans, which gives their husbands another reason to criticize them.
• They share their successes, expecting their husbands to rejoice in them.
• They try to find common topics for conversation, but are faced with silence and coldness.

Treatment of aggression

The treatment of aggression is understood not as a medical elimination of the problem, but as a psychological one. Only in rare cases are tranquilizers and antidepressants used, which can calm the nervous system. However, a person will never completely get rid of aggressive behavior. Therefore, the treatment of aggression is understood as the development of skills to control it and understand the current situation.

If aggression is shown in your address, you must understand that you are not obliged to endure attacks. Even if we are talking about your husband / wife or children, you still remain a person who has the right to a friendly and caring attitude towards yourself. The situation becomes especially painful when it comes to the aggressive behavior of parents towards children. This is the situation in which the victim is almost never able to resist the pressure.

No one is obliged to endure other people's attacks. Therefore, if you have become the object of someone's aggression, you can safely fight back by any means. If you yourself are the aggressor, then this problem is personally yours. Here it is necessary to carry out exercises to eliminate their own aggressiveness.

First, the causes of the resulting aggression should be recognized. Nothing just happens. Even mentally ill people have reasons for aggressiveness. What moment was the trigger that made you feel angry? After realizing the cause of your negative emotions, you should take steps to change your attitude to the situation.

The second point is that the cause must be devalued or eliminated. If it is necessary to change the personal attitude to the situation, then this should be done; if it is necessary to solve a problem (for example, to eliminate dissatisfaction), then one should make an effort and be patient a little.

You should not fight your own aggression, but understand the reasons for its appearance, since the elimination of these causes allows you to cope with any negative emotions.

Forecast

The result of any emotion is a certain event that becomes decisive. Anything can become a forecast of the consequence of aggression:

1. Loss of connections with good people.
2. Divorce or separation from a loved one.
3. Dismissal from work.
4. Disorder in life.
5. Lack of support from important people.
6. Lack of understanding.
7. Loneliness, etc.

In some cases, the question of the life expectancy of a person who enters into a conflict even arises. With the manifestation of physical violence in the family or in the company of hooligans, we can talk about fatal outcomes.

If a person does not try to control his aggressive impulses, he will face various negative consequences. His environment will consist only of people who should not be trusted. Only an aggressive person can be near the same aggressor.

The consequences of controlling one's own aggression can be successful. Firstly, a person will not spoil relations with those who are dear to him. So I want to throw out my emotions and show my character. However, if you understand what the consequences may be, it is better to prevent an undesirable outcome.

Secondly, a person can direct aggression in a constructive direction. You can’t get rid of this emotion, but you can subdue it. For example, aggression is good when a person is dissatisfied with an unattained goal. In this case, he wants to make every effort to still realize his plans.

If a person cannot cope with his aggression on his own, then he should turn to a psychologist. It will help in finding the right answers to your questions, as well as in developing a behavior strategy that will help both pacify aggression and do the right things in the right situations.

behavior focused on harming objects, which can be living beings or inanimate objects. Aggressive behavior serves as a form of response to physical and mental discomfort, stress, and frustration. In addition, it can act as a means to achieve any significant goal, including raising one's own status through self-assertion.

AGGRESSION

In modern psychology, there is still no unambiguous interpretation of such a multifaceted phenomenon as aggression. While some researchers consider aggression as an important characteristic of an individual's behavior aimed at overcoming obstacles, which can be both external objects, events, people, etc., and their own mental characteristics, focusing on the adaptive aspect of aggressive manifestations; others consider it as an exclusively destructive phenomenon, speaking of aggressiveness as a stable property of the subject, reflecting its innate biological or socially acquired characteristics. In this regard, auto- and hetero-aggression, temperamental and characterological, specifically situational or personal aggressiveness are distinguished.

Unlike Freud, who understood aggression as a destructive force, through which the unconscious human desire for death (mortido) is manifested, from the standpoint of dynamic psychiatry, aggression is seen as a central function of the “I”, located in the unconscious core of the personality. Thus, firstly, its most important significance as a structural personality component is emphasized, and secondly, it points to the functional, active-adaptive nature of this intrapsychic formation.

1. Constructive aggression

Aggression, as a constructive self-function originally inherent in a person (ad gredi - to approach something), represents the initial openness of the child to the environment in the sense of the desire to establish contacts and curiosity. In other words, this is the primary general potential of activity, the level of purposefulness and expediency of mental activity, which a person has to solve the problems of adaptation, maintenance and development of his I-identity.

Constructive aggression provides an active-exploratory attitude to the world, an active, creative approach to life, the ability to make contacts, to openly express one's emotional experiences, preferences, points of view, opinions, ideas, to form, maintain and achieve one's own life goals and their fearless upholding in a constructive-aggressive social-energetic clash (discussions) with other individuals and groups; establishing productive interpersonal contacts and maintaining them, despite possible contradictions; empathy, a wide range of interests and a rich fantasy world.

According to Ammon, the constructive-aggressive approach to human relations is developing, stimulating and fruitful. It represents the establishment of real human contact, the development of relationships of mutuality and friendship.

At the same time, depending on the nature and structure of group-dynamic relations, primarily in the primary (parental family), and subsequently in the reference (nearest environment) groups, aggression can lose its active-adaptive value, becoming a disintegrating and maladaptive factor. .

2. Destructive aggression

Being initially constructive, aggression under the influence of the destructive dynamics of the primary group turns into destructive aggression, which is a deformation of the primary activity potential in the form of breaking contacts and relationships, changing or destroying the goals and objectives of the subject, i.e. in the form of destruction directed both outward, against the surrounding society and the objective world (destructive reaction, destructive sexuality, crime, as well as destructive fantasies, feelings of revenge, cynicism, etc.), and inward, against oneself, one’s goals and plans , (psychosomatics, depression, drug addiction, suicidal tendencies, tendency to accidents and self-harm or social neglect response).

The reason for destructive aggression usually lies in the mother's unconscious hostile-rejected attitude towards the child (in particular, to his needs for gaining new life experience and psychological mastery of the surrounding reality, which is possible only under her protection.). Such an internalized "ban" on one's own autonomy and identity subsequently leads to a situational inadequacy of the use of activity both in terms of intensity and direction, method or circumstances of manifestation and the complex interpersonal space of human relations.

At the behavioral level, this is manifested by a tendency to confrontation, devaluation (emotionally and intellectually) of other people, the destruction of contacts and interpersonal relationships, destructive actions up to open outbursts of anger and violence, the desire for forceful problem solving, adherence to destructive ideologies, verbal expression of one's anger and rage,

Destructive-aggressive personalities are characterized by hostility, conflict, aggressiveness, excessive stubbornness and intransigence, vindictiveness, vindictiveness, gloating, cynicism, cruelty, impulsiveness, explosiveness and (or) excessive demands, irony, sarcasm; inability to maintain long-term friendships, violations of emotional-volitional control and social adaptation, destructive fantasies and (or) nightmares.

Destructive aggression plays an important role in all the so-called archaic diseases of the personality, and therefore its psychotherapeutic processing is the main link in the psychodynamic therapy of identity.

3. Deficit aggression

Deficiency aggression means blocking the primary potential of activity with the loss of the desire for autonomy, for an exit from the primary symbiosis, for active mastery and manipulation of the objective world, i.e. blocking the need to realize their I-identity.

The reason lies in the deficient nature of the early symbiosis with the unconscious emotional rejection by the mother of her child or excessive identification with him. An indifferent attitude to the manifestations of, first of all, the motor and cognitive activity of the child, the mother’s lack of fantasies that create a “playing field of symbiosis” and support the child in attempts to play mastery of the world around him, leads to a feeling of its insurmountable complexity, refusal to realize and unused primary constructive potential of activity.

At the behavioral level, deficit aggression is manifested by the inability to make efforts to achieve one’s own goals, implement one’s plans, tasks, defend interests and satisfy needs, avoid any situations of “competition”, confrontation, conflicts, discussions with a tendency to quick concessions, difficulties in open manifestation their feelings, experiences, expression of claims and preferences; a decrease in subject activity, a narrowing of the circle of interests and passive solitude, that is, in general, in the inability to establish productive interpersonal contacts and warm human relationships.

Deficiency-aggressive personalities are thus characterized by passivity, compliance, sacrifice, dependence, compliance, obedience, shyness, inability to take responsibility in choosing and making decisions, a feeling of inner emptiness, boredom, loneliness, one’s own incompetence and guilt, uselessness, indifference, powerlessness, "chronic" dissatisfaction with what is happening, lack of "joy of life", a sense of the hopelessness of existence and the insurmountability of life's difficulties, a compensatory tendency to substitute fantasies, unrealizable plans and dreams.

Three different aspects of aggression (constructive, destructive, deficient) can be qualitatively established and quantitatively measured using the appropriate scales of G. Ammon's I-structural test and the Psychodynamically Oriented Personality Questionnaire (POLO).

AGGRESSION

An action that inflicts physical or mental injury on others, such an action is closely associated with negative emotions, which include anger, hostility and hatred. Aggression, which is directed by a person at himself, is auto-aggression, it serves as an indicator of pathological changes in personality.

AGGRESSION

from lat. - aggredi - to attack) - individual or collective behavior, an action aimed at causing physical or psychological harm, damage, or destruction of another person or group of people. In a significant part of cases, aggression occurs as a reaction of the subject to frustration and is accompanied by emotional states of anger, hostility, hatred, etc.

AGGRESSION

One of the psychological defense mechanisms. The concept introduced by K. Horney to denote protection from frustration by aggression directed not at the frustrating factor, but at some secondary object mistakenly taken as the source of frustration. An example of this is A. displacement, observed in cases where A. on a real frustrator is undesirable, can lead to serious consequences. The mechanism of A. movement includes negativism, criticism, refusal to cooperate, if they are not directed at the true source of frustration.

AGGRESSION

motivated destructive behavior that is contrary to the norms and rules of the coexistence of people in society, harming the objects of attack (animate and inanimate), causing physical damage to people or causing them psychological discomfort (negative experiences, a state of tension, fear, depression, etc.). The following types of aggression are distinguished: 1) physical (attack) - the use of physical force against another person or object; 2) verbal - the expression of negative feelings both through the form (quarrel, scream, screech) and through the content of verbal reactions (threat, curses, swearing); 3) direct - directly directed against any object or subject; 4) indirect - actions that are directed in a roundabout way at another person (evil gossip, jokes, etc.), and actions that are characterized by non-direction and disorder (explosions of rage, manifested in screaming, stamping their feet, beating their fists on the table, etc. .P.); 5) instrumental, which is a means to achieve any goal; 6) hostile - expressed in actions, the purpose of which is to cause harm to the object of aggression; 7) auto-aggression - manifested in self-accusation, self-humiliation, self-inflicted bodily harm up to suicide. Aggressive behavior is one of the forms of response to various physically and mentally unfavorable life situations that cause stress, frustration, etc. states. Psychologically aggressive behavior is one of the main ways to solve problems associated with the preservation of individuality, with the protection and growth of a sense of self-worth, self-esteem, the level of claims, as well as maintaining and strengthening control over the environment that is essential for the subject. Aggressive actions act as: 1) a means to achieve some significant goal; 2) a way of psychological relaxation; 3) a way to satisfy the need for self-realization and self-affirmation. The psychological aspect of aggression (partially covered by the concept of social aggression) is the adaptation of a person as a person to existence in society in accordance with the requirements of this society and with their own needs, motives and interests. Psychological aggression is carried out by assimilating the norms and values ​​of a given society (both in the broadest sense and in relation to the immediate social environment - a social group, work collective, family). The main manifestations of psychological aggression are interaction (incl. communication) of a person with other people and his active activity. Particular difficulties of psychological aggression are experienced by persons with mental and physical disabilities (defects in hearing, vision, speech, etc.). In these cases, adaptation contributes to the use in the learning process and in everyday life of various special means of correcting impaired and compensating for missing functions.

Aggression

Aggression) . Physical or verbal behavior intended to harm someone. In laboratory experiments, this may mean an electric shock or a verbal attack calculated to notice someone's feelings. With this socio-psychological definition of aggression, a person can be assertive without being aggressive.

Aggression

aggression) A. is a complex phenomenon due to many reasons, it is difficult to predict and often cannot be controlled. Aggression as an instinct Belief in the instinctive origin of A. has become widespread among ordinary Americans. In the 1960s three fundamental works were published in the USA, in which this idea was carried out: "On aggression" (On aggression) by Lorenz, "The territorial imperative" (The territorial imperative) by Ardrey and "The naked ape" (The naked ape) by Morris. Each author tried to substantiate the view of A. as a product of the innate instinct to fight. Aggressive energy, according to this view, by virtue of instinct, is produced in the individual continuously and at a constant speed. Over time, energy builds up. The more it is, the weaker the stimulus necessary for its release in the form of aggressive behavior. If a lot of time has passed since the last open manifestation of A., the stimulus is not required at all, A.'s explosion occurs spontaneously. According to this perspective, aggressive energy inevitably accumulates and just as inevitably seeks an outlet. The theory of instinct is nevertheless very attractive, although it is a mixture of analogies and vague concepts based on fragmentary descriptions and non-systematic observations from the life of animals and people. It justifies irresponsibility: the person himself. supposedly cannot influence his aggressive behavior as soon as the energy accumulates and must inevitably find a way out. The theory claims to be universal, that is, with its help, they try to explain the various forms and manifestations of A., which does not have obvious reasons. Most modern American scientists agree that the geneticist-physiologist. A.'s potential does exist, but it is not the only factor responsible for aggressive behavior. Aggression as drive When scientific interest in finding the supposed instinctive basis of aggressive behavior faded, the concept of instinct was replaced by the concept of drive (internal drive or drive). For more than two decades, the efforts of American scientists have concentrated on trying to explain A. on the basis of one or another drive theory. Most of the research devoted to testing the frustration-aggression hypothesis and the statements derived from it did not go too smoothly. Although much had been learned about frustration and A., there were problems with the exact definition of the concepts, and therefore the relationship between these two essentials was clearly in the nature of a vicious circle. As R. N. Johnson notes, “the presence of frustration a priori suggested that the behavior following this should probably be aggressive, and the manifestation of A. considered evidence of previous frustration. " L. Berkowitz and S. Fischbach focused on the theory of drive, making significant efforts to revise and expand the frustration-aggression hypothesis. Berkowitz suggested that stimuli regularly associated with manifestations of A. gradually acquire the ability cause aggressive actions in provoked individuals. Frustration, in his opinion, causes anger, which in itself does not lead to open A., but creates a willingness or attitude to react aggressively. Berkowitz suggested that actual open A. does not arise if the individual does not detect cues (or signs) allowing A. These cues are usually stimuli (people, places, objects, etc.) associated with current or previous sources of anger. partly shifted attention from unobservable, putative internal determinants of behavior to external factors influencing observable behavioral responses. The behavior of people has undergone extensive study with t. sp. triggering stimuli and reinforcing consequences. Theory of social learning is a mixture of cognitive and stimulus-reactive concepts in relation to a wide variety of forms and types of behavior, including A. According to this theory, the processes that are responsible for A. are essentially identical to the processes related to the development, implementation and maintaining most open behaviors. In table. 1 gives a general list of these processes, to-rye, according to the theory of social. learning are responsible for the initial acquisition by the individual of forms of aggressive behavior, the inducement to open acts of aggression at a given moment in time, and the maintenance of such behavior.

Table 1. Social learning theory of aggression

1. Neurophysiological background

genetic

Hormonal

C.Sc. (eg, hypothalamus, limbic system)

physical characteristics

1. Aversive events

frustration

Weakening reinforcements:

Relative deprivation;

The unfair hardships of life

Verbal threats and insults

Physical violence

1. Direct external reinforcement

Tangible (material)

Social (status, approval)

Facilitating aversiveness

Expression of resentment

II. observational learning

Family influence (e.g. abuse)

Subcultural influence (e.g. delinquency)

Symbolic modeling (e.g. television)

II. Modeling impact

Release/removal of inhibitions

Facilitation

Emotional arousal

Strong stimuli (getting attention)

II. Vicarious reinforcements

Observable reward (receiving effect - facilitation)

Observed punishment (avoidance-disinhibition effect)

III. direct experience

Hostilities

Reinforced actions

III. Encouraging Incentives

instrumental aggression

Anticipated Consequences

III. Neutralization of self-blame

moral justification

Soothing Comparison

euphemistic notation

Shifting Responsibility

Diffusion of responsibility

Dehumanization of the victim

Victim Blaming

Consequence Distortion

progressive desensitization

IV. Compliance

V. Influence of delusions

VI. Influence of environmental factors:

tightness;

Ambient temperature;

Physical setting Theory of social. learning recognizes that the potential ability of a particular person. behave aggressively, perhaps arises from the neurophysiologist. features. It is believed that genetic, hormonal, neurological and resulting physical. the characteristics of the individual affect in the aggregate the functional or potential possibilities of the expression of A., as well as the likelihood of learning one or another specific form of A. Given the presence of people. neurophysiologist. functionality to acquire and retain aggressive responses in their behavioral repertoire, Bandura suggests that such acquisition occurs on the basis of direct or vicarious experience. Openly aggressive actions performed by an individual in the context of trial and error or under the guidance and encouragement of others, if reinforced, increase the likelihood that learning or acquisition of A. by this individual will occur. Bandura sees reinforced action as a particularly significant event in A.'s learning through direct experience, whether it's childish romp, teenage skirmishes, or adult warfare. However, the most important role in A.'s acquisition is played by vicarious processes. This observational learning is believed to occur as a result of three types of modeling influences: familial, subcultural, and symbolic. A child - a victim of parental abuse - behaves aggressively with peers, and as an adult, beats his own children. Such behavior might. learned from their own parents. Subcultural modeling can be explained by the following example: looking at the aggressive behavior of peers, a teenager begins to behave in exactly the same way. Vicarious symbolic modeling in the process of watching television programs, reading newspapers and comics is an important source of learned A. The most important is the fact that such A. usually "works", i.e., allows the hero to achieve his goal. The behavior of the aggressive model (whether parent, peer, or telehero) is often reinforced. People tend to adopt such behavior, for which others are rewarded. The probability of learning increases with the detection of certain characteristics of the model (e.g., perceived competence, high status, and also the same age, gender and race as the observer) demonstrated by the behavior model (e.g., clarity, repeatability, difficulty, detail, acceptance and reproduction, etc.). models) and the observer (e.g., similarity to the model, friendliness to the model, instructions to reproduce the behavior of the model, and, most importantly, rewards for imitation). Summing up our discussion, we can say that of the three existing approaches in the United States to understanding the origins and nature of aggressive behavior, the theory of A. as an instinct has always remained aloof from an empirically justified and socially useful understanding of A. and ways to control it. Theory A. as a drive tzh turned out to be inadequate in many ways. particulars, but performed and continues to perform an important heuristic function through those empirical and theoretical. research., to which she gave rise. To date, in our opinion, the most theoretically substantiated and empirically supported, as well as useful in practice. t. sp. ideas about A. gives the theory of social. learning. This theory, as befits good scientific theories, is a testable, logically consistent system of constructs, the validity of which is receiving more and more empirical confirmation. Motivation If people. has already learned to act aggressively - and knows when, where, in relation to whom it can be done - then what determines whether he will actually commit aggressive acts? According to the theory of social learning, actual aggressive behavior depends on many factors. Encourage people. A. may have aversive events. One of these aversive stimuli, as in drive theory, is frustration. But, unlike the theory of drive, the theory of social. learning considers frustration only as one of a number of aversive stimuli, which, in addition to A., has several equally possible consequences, such as regression, withdrawal, dependence, psychosomatization, stress relief with the help of drugs and alcohol, and, finally, constructive problem solving. An aversive weakening of reinforcement is the second proposed class of aversive stimuli to A. Commentators on cases of collective A. have pointed to this provocative stimulus (especially when it manifests itself in the form of deprivation (deprivation) perceived by people in comparison with others or the hardships of life perceived by them as unfair, and not hardships and hardships in the absolute sense) as the main cause of crowd violence, riots, etc. Verbal threats and insults, as well as physical. violence serve as additional, but extremely strong aversive motivators A. Toch showed that verbal insults especially often cause an aggressive reaction in the form of the use of physical. forces if they pose a threat to reputation, manhood and public humiliation. The likelihood of the use of force in response to an insult by action is especially high when it is difficult to avoid a collision and when the provocative actions are serious and frequent. Since new patterns of aggressive behavior are acquired by Ch. arr. through imitation of models, these same models can serve as significant motivators for open A. If we observe other people. (model), which behaves aggressively and is not punished for it, such observation can cause a disinhibitory effect. Through a process similar to the vicarious extinction of fear, such disinhibition can lead to the manifestation of an open A by the observer. If the model is rewarded for the manifestation of A., the effect of a facilitation reaction may occur. From now on, the behavior of the model serves as an incentive for comparable behavior. Observation of A.'s manifestations often causes emotional excitement in the observer. Enough evidence has been accumulated to suggest that emotional arousal facilitates the appearance of aggressive behavior, especially in individuals for whom this way of responding has become habitual and does not cause tension. encouraging incentives. S. Fischbach and other researchers distinguish between angry A. and instrumental A. In the first case, the task is to cause suffering to another person, in the second - to receive encouragement. Incentives that encourage A. are related to the second type of A. A. very often brings dividends, and A., in order to receive encouragement, allows the aggressor to receive a reward highly valued in society (fashionable, expensive, etc.). And this is precisely one of the obstacles - perhaps a significant one - to successful, widespread control of aggressive behavior. Following prescriptions. One person can manifest A. in relation to others, following the order. Obedience is brought up and rewarded differentially by the family and school throughout childhood and adolescence, and then - many others. public in-tami throughout adult life (at work, in military service, etc.). Irrational beliefs, inner voices, paranoid suspicion, ideas about divine messages, delusions of grandeur - all this can act as incentives for A. It can act as a subjectively perceived means of self-defense, the embodiment of messianic ideas, the manifestation of heroism, etc. The role of delusional ideas as a provoking A. factor should not be underestimated, although the frequency of this form of motivation is usually greatly overestimated. Influence of environmental factors. Recently, psychologists have begun to show more and more interest in the influence of external events on human behavior, even a special subfield of environmental psychology has been formed, devoted to a deep study of environmental events as stimuli for A. Factors such as crowding, temperature, noise, and other environmental characteristics were investigated. Whether aggressive behavior will actually be caused by cramped conditions, hot days and nights, high noise levels, and other similar factors, in all likelihood, depends in some complex way on the physical. the intensity of these environmental characteristics, their personological attributes, the level of emotional excitement they cause, as well as the interaction of these factors, external restrictions, and other considerations. Maintenance Aggressive behavior is influenced by the external rewards it brings. Such rewards might. material or social, and may consist in weakening the aversive impact. It is possible that by rewarding the aggressor, b. visible manifestations of the suffering of the victim A. Vicarious processes are of great importance in maintaining A.. Supporting A. effect of monitoring the reward of the aggressor, according to Bandura, arises due to: a) inform. monitoring functions; b) its motivational function; c) its disinhibitory action, when the observer sees that others are avoiding punishment for their aggressive behavior. Theory of social learning assumes that people regulate their behavior based on their own conclusions regarding its consequences. Thus, most people know that aggressive behavior is blameworthy, so they say or think badly about themselves after aggressive manifestations. There are those who believe that aggressive actions prove their masculinity and allow them to be proud of themselves. Such people are usually belligerent, and aggressive actions increase their self-esteem. Predicting Aggression Prevention of aggressive manifestations would be more effective if we could know exactly who, when and under what circumstances is prone to A. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to achieve high accuracy of predictions. Based on extensive research data, it has been found that criminal violent behavior is strongly correlated with demographic and related variables such as past criminal behavior, age, gender, (national) origin, socioeconomic status, alcohol and opiate abuse. However, such actuarial probabilities are of limited value for predicting open A. in a particular person. or a specific group of people. In his work "The clinical prediction of violent behavior" (The clinical prediction of violent behavior) Monahan gave a critical review of the results of 5 large research. , the purpose of which was to estimate

usefulness of psychology. tests and interview data to predict A. Obviously, the clinical prognosis of A. in adults leads to a discouraging amount of error. In all 5 research. especially a lot of "false alarm" type errors, i.e. when pl. people predicted to have committed aggressive acts did not do so during the follow-up period. Monahan concludes: "The 'best' clinical research available to date shows that psychiatrists and psychologists are less than one in three predictors of violent behavior over a period of several years." Aggression control Relaxation training with ist. roots in the methods of previous years, proposed by Jacobson, are extremely popular in modern times. therapeutic practice, especially as a component of systematic desensitization procedures. Its effectiveness has been empirically confirmed in a wide series of studies. It is an effective means of reducing states of tension and arousal, which are usually considered harbingers of open A. Self-control training as an approach to controlling anger and A. has several. forms, the main of which is to accustom the client to engage in the procedure, called. different specialists in different ways: rational restructuring, cognitive self-instruction or inoculation against stress. The main idea of ​​the training is to train people. give yourself verbal instructions to help you respond to feelings of anger and arousal more deliberately (reflexively) and less aggressively. The effectiveness of this intervention, which controls A., has been convincingly proven, and it is becoming increasingly popular. Communication skills training uses dyad techniques to teach specific patterns of constructive communication behavior. Particular attention is paid to approaches to conflict resolution through negotiations. Negotiation training is provided after clients have mastered general communication skills. Finally, in order to maximize the likelihood that the agreements reached in the course of negotiations and aimed at resolving the conflict will be respected by the conflicting parties in real life, the parties to the conflict are taught to write and implement written agreements, called. behavioral contracts. This commonly combined triad of interventions appears to be a particularly promising approach to A.'s control and the resulting reduction in interpersonal conflict. Situational management, or the use of rewards and non-physical. punishment has the longest research history of the interventions discussed here. Situational management is an extremely powerful intervention for controlling A., especially in applications that combine rewards to enhance constructive or prosocial behavior. Psychoter. was not very effective in controlling A. Psychotherapeutic applications that are sensitive to specific patient characteristics, such as the exposure of aggressive adolescents to the influence of a peer group, were more effective in reducing A. Instructional therapies, usually borrowing specific procedures from the theory of social. learning have been shown to be effective in changing behavior quite consistently. Interventions at the level of small groups. Psychological training. skills uses a number of psycho-pedagogical procedures to teach coping skills with A. Teaching procedures usually include modeling, practicing behavior and feedback on the practice. application of acquired skills. The effectiveness of improving skills with this type of intervention has been widely and reliably confirmed. Character education - in his modern. the version presented by the Character Education Curriculum, is implemented in the form of a full cycle of classes devoted to prosocial character traits. The program is designed primarily for primary school students. Values ​​clarification aims to increase the attractiveness of pro-social values ​​without being too dogmatic and relies on rather heterogeneous assumptions and methodologies. The goal is to help students form, clarify and apply their values ​​in life by freely and thoughtfully choosing among various alternatives. There is preliminary empirical evidence that partly supports the effectiveness of value clarification in reducing destructive attitudes and behaviors and reinforcing constructive alternatives. Moral education, as detailed in Kohlberg's writings, is perhaps a particularly powerful small group intervention for teaching prosocial alternatives to A. See also Environmental Stress, Personality Disorders, Prosocial Behavior, Self-Control, Temperaments, Violence A. P .goldstein

AGGRESSION

aggression) A hypothetical force, instinct, or root cause that appears to be the motivator of a series of actions and feelings. Often seen as the antithesis of SEX or LIBIDO, in which case it denotes destructive drives. Even when the term is used as a synonym for destructiveness, there is controversy as to whether aggression is a primal drive, i.e. aggressive permissive instinct, or a reaction to FRUSTION. Opinions also differ as to whether aggression is an instinct with its own goals, or whether it only supplies ENERGY that allows the EGO to overcome obstacles to the satisfaction of other drives. The almost general tendency of analysts to equate aggression with HATE, destructiveness and SADISM comes into conflict with both etymology (ad.giadior: I'm moving towards:) and the traditional understanding of aggression as dynamism, self-confidence, expansiveness, attraction. The psychoanalytic use of the term began in the late works of Freud, where aggression is understood as a derivative of the DEATH INSTINCT. EGO-PSYCHOLOGY uses the terms AGGRESSIFICATION and DEAGGRESSION in relation to LIBIDIZATION and DELIBIDIZATION. For the biology of aggressive behavior, see Lorenz (1966).

AGGRESSION

Individual or collective behavior or action aimed at causing physical or mental harm or even destruction of another person or group. Inanimate objects can also act as objects. It serves as a form of response to physical and mental discomfort, stress, frustration. In addition, it can act as a means of achieving some significant goal, including raising one's own status through self-assertion.

The main forms are reactive aggression, hostile aggression, instrumental aggression and auto-aggression. For forms of aggression developing in such mass social phenomena as terror, genocide, racial, religious and ideological clashes, the accompanying processes of infection and mutual induction, stereotyping of ideas in the created "image of the enemy" are typical.

Readiness for aggressive behavior is considered as a stable personality trait - aggressiveness. Some manifestations of aggression and auto-aggression may be a sign of developing pathopsychological personality changes (excitable psychopathy, paranoia, epilepsy, etc.). In the formation of self-control over aggressiveness and restraint of aggressive acts, the development of the psychological processes of empathy, Identification and decentralization, which underlie the ability to understand other people and empathize with them, and contribute to the formation of an idea of ​​another person as a unique value, plays an important role.

AGGRESSION

from lat. aggresio - attack) - motivated destructive behavior that is contrary to the norms (rules) of the coexistence of people in society, harming the objects of attack (animate and inanimate), causing physical damage to people or causing them psychological discomfort (negative experiences, a state of tension, fear, depression and so on.).

A trace stands out. types of assault: 1) physical assault (attack) - the use of physical force against another person or object; 2) verbal A. - the expression of negative feelings both through the form (quarrel, scream, screech) and through the content of verbal reactions (threat, curses, swearing);

3) direct A. - directly directed against c.-l. object or subject; 4) indirect A. - actions that are directed in a roundabout way at another person (evil gossip, jokes, etc.), and actions characterized by non-direction and disorder (explosions of rage, manifested in screaming, stamping their feet, beating their fists on the table and so on.); 5) instrumental A., which is a means of achieving k.-l. goals;

6) hostile aggression - expressed in actions aimed at causing harm to the object of aggression;

7) auto-aggression - A., manifested in self-accusation, self-humiliation, self-inflicted bodily harm up to suicide; 8) altruistic A., having the goal of protecting others from someone else's aggressive actions.

Aggressive behavior is one of the forms of response to various physically and mentally unfavorable life situations that cause stress, frustration, and so on. Psychologically, A. is one of the main ways to solve problems related to the preservation of individuality and identity, with the protection and growth of a sense of self-worth, self-esteem, the level of claims, as well as maintaining and strengthening control over the environment that is essential for the subject (see Affective children). Aggressive actions act as: 1) a means of achieving c.-l. meaningful purpose; 2) a way of psychological relaxation; 3) a way to satisfy the need for self-realization and self-affirmation. The main theoretical approaches to the study of A. m. designated as ethological, psychoanalytic, frustration (see Frustration-Aggression Hypothesis), and behaviorist. (S. N. Enikolopov.)

Aggression

Any act or series of acts whose immediate purpose is to cause physical harm or other damage. Aggression is almost always classified as antisocial behavior and is seen as a problem caused by biological inferiority, unsuccessful search for one's place in society, or frustration due to adverse environmental conditions. In some cases, aggression leads to positive consequences - for example, when it is used for beneficial changes in society or against the forces of oppression. The following are the main explanations for the causes of aggressive behavior. 1. Biological explanation. For example, aggression may be the result of overcrowding and the need to defend one's territory (the latter is not supported by conclusive evidence). While animals are able to limit their aggression to ritualistic performances (see Threatening Behavior), humans have this ability to a much lesser extent. Current research points to a possible role for the neurotransmitter serotonin in chimpanzee aggressive behavior; this is supposed to be true of humans as well. 2. Psychological theories, for example, the theory of repressed aggression, consider aggression as an inevitable consequence of blocking on the way to the goal. A typical example is a driver caught in a traffic jam and taking out his anger on other drivers or pedestrians. 3. Social (or sociopsychological) theories, such as social learning theory, recognize the importance of imitation in the development of aggressive behavior. Children learn aggressive behavior by watching the aggression of adults whose behavior is rewarded in one way or another (i.e. they get what they want). All of these theories use different approaches to reduce or eliminate the causes of aggressive behavior. Biological and psychological theories, with their emphasis on biological inevitability or psychological abnormality, marginalize aggressive behavior and divert attention from other daily life factors that can contribute significantly to its reduction and limitation. On the other hand, sociopsychological theories are much more optimistic in their views on the control of aggressive behavior. After all, what can be learned can always be changed.

AGGRESSION

A very general term used to refer to a variety of actions, including attack, hostility, etc. The term is usually used to refer to actions that may be motivated by: (a) fear or frustration; (b) a desire to cause fear in others or put them to flight; or (c) the desire to achieve recognition of their own ideas or the implementation of their own interests. This is a loose but acceptable definition, although it does not quite capture the nuances of its use in the psychological literature. Specific uses usually depend on which theoretical direction the author represents. For example, ethologists view aggression as an evolved ("instinctive") pattern of response to certain stimuli, such as invasion of territory or attack on offspring; the authors of the Freudian orientation consider aggression as a conscious manifestation of Thanatos (a hypothetical death instinct); Adler's followers regard aggression as a manifestation of the desire for power, the desire to control others; those who link the concepts of aggression and frustration define this concept as any reaction to a frustrating situation (see the frustration-aggressive hypothesis); and social learning theorists view acts of aggression as reactions learned through observation and imitation of others and subsequent reinforcement of such behavior. It should be emphasized that the concept of aggression plays a major role in many theoretical concepts and, as is often the case in the social sciences, the use of the term depends on the theory, and scholars do not arrive at any generally accepted definition of the concept. Many combinations with this term are also used, the main ones are given below.

What is the correct meaning of the word aggression? By this term it is customary to understand cruelty, a tendency to attack, an active destructive position, destructiveness. In fact, initially aggressiveness is an innate human quality associated with the instinct of self-preservation and protection, an integral part of the psychological personality, a factor without which the personality will not be integral.

Aggression in psychology is defined as an attack, verbal or physical, always brightly emotionally negatively colored, purposeful and harsh. From the Latin language, the word itself is translated as “attack”, but it may not manifest itself clearly: a person may not scream, not get into a fight, but at the same time be aggressive.

There are two theories of aggression: the definition of the first is a reaction to external factors. The second theory is the conscious acceptance of aggressiveness as the main form of behavior. Both theories exist, and in practice there are confirmations of them.

Psychology describes various types of aggression, which have a number of features and varying degrees of destructiveness. Among them:

• Verbal and physical aggression.
• Suppressed aggression.
• Male and female aggression.
• Aggression during pregnancy or after illness.
• Passive and active.
• Autoaggression.
• Teenage aggression.
• Reactive (manifested as a reaction to something).
• Spontaneous, unmotivated aggression.
• Conscious (instrumental), aimed at achieving a specific result.
• Indirect (aggression in children and adults, aimed at a foreign object, as a result of accumulation).

This is a basic, but incomplete list, since the types and types of aggression have been studied by many psychologists and therapists, and many specialists have created their own classifications. The manifestations and causes are very different, and if you study them in detail, you can understand how to respond to aggression from another person and how to get rid of aggression in yourself. Consider how certain types and factors of aggression manifest themselves.

1. The main, congenital form is a healthy, benign aggressiveness, which is embedded in every person's genes. It allows a person to be persistent and firmly achieve his goal, achieve victories in sports, competitions, in business and personal life, show strong-willed qualities, overcome himself, fight laziness, bad habits, and compete.

Ambition, courage, the ability to defend one's own interests - all this, oddly enough, refers to healthy human aggressiveness, and this is normal if a person can control these qualities in the right doses and forms, consciously directing his actions to increase or decrease them.

2. Hidden aggression is a frequent phenomenon that has its own specific causes and consequences. It doesn't show up clearly. As a rule, the nature of aggression, suppressed and hidden, is noticeable in constant discontent, in sudden outbursts of fear or anger, in constant tension, irritability, inability to relax.

Such a person is not able to enjoy rest, entertainment, does not know how to contemplate the beautiful. He is characterized by incredulity, suspicion, to a large extent irritability over trifles is manifested. Often as a result there are strong outbreaks of aggression.

3. Aggression in men has a separate definition and is considered a separate species. It manifests itself in constant discontent, tough character, authoritarianism, dissatisfaction.

It is impossible to please such a man, he is always tense, quick-tempered, vulnerable, extremely difficult to make contact, not inclined to compromise. It often manifests itself in the family, with children, at work with subordinates - in a word, with those who are weaker or lower in status. Such a male character brings relatives and friends a lot of experiences and suffering.

4. Signs and definition of female aggression are somewhat different. It manifests itself in a sharp and very frequent change of mood, in causeless hysterical fits, resentment, sudden outbursts, discontent, dissatisfaction, attacks of fear, despair. Attacks of aggression in women often occur during pregnancy and occur due to changes in hormonal levels.

5. Children's aggression is a frequent and painful phenomenon that is familiar to many parents and teachers. The level of aggression in children and adolescents is very different and manifests itself in different ways - from innocent pranks to rudeness, hooliganism, fights, and criminal activity. It is associated with upbringing, illness, the emotional environment in the home, kindergarten or school, with transitional age and hormonal changes, with a number of psycho-emotional factors.

6. Family aggression. It occurs more often in husbands, but it is also characteristic of wives. It differs from the female and male types in that it manifests itself exclusively in communication with family members, as a reaction to communication with a partner. It looks like constant irritation, detachment, alienation, frequent outbursts of anger “out of the blue”, discontent.

7. Spontaneous and uncontrolled attacks of aggression - as a rule, arise as a result of passive aggression, suppression, and peculiarities of education. Manifested as a sharp, causeless explosion of rage, tantrums, seizures. In this state, a person can make a scandal in a crowded place, hit someone, break objects and furniture, harm himself and those around him. These attacks last from three minutes to an hour, sometimes urgent medical intervention is required.

Each type and each manifestation of aggression has its own characteristics, its forms of manifestation and the degree of risk. With the right classification, you can understand the causes, predict the consequences and understand how to deal with aggression.

Causes

Everything that is characteristic of a person has one or another specific source, just like any, the most causeless, at first glance, aggression always has specific reasons. And the first thing to start with introspection and the fight against destructive behavior is the search for and determination of the causes.

1. Increased aggression is often the cause of suppression in childhood, in the process of education. When natural childish aggression is rudely suppressed by parents - the child is not allowed to scream or cry, expressing his own emotions, suppressing his psycho-emotional environment - this develops into a depressed state of constant stress and tension, and, as a result, adolescent aggression appears, and in adulthood it may manifest social aggression or any other form.

2. A very common cause is the presence of psychoactive substances in the body. Long-term smoking, alcohol abuse, taking narcotic drugs, energy drinks, medicines inevitably lead to increased irritability and aggressiveness.

3. Often the cause is stress, overwork, chronic fatigue or insufficient healing after an illness. Unfortunately, rest in our time is considered something optional, and many people simply ignore it, believing that on a day off the best rest is either a feast with alcoholic drinks or household chores. Both have nothing to do with rest - the body accumulates tension, stress, does not rest and does not “recharge”. As a result, increased aggressiveness appears.

4. Diseases, mental disorders, post-traumatic stress syndrome or experienced stressful situation. This is a fairly common cause of aggression in both teenagers and many adults.

5. Dissatisfaction with life, dissatisfaction with the social, financial situation, personal sphere, self-doubt, social maladaptation. A weak and weak-willed person who does not have good support from friends and relatives, who does not receive love in the family, necessarily accumulates aggression.

Ways to solve the problem

So the big question is what to do? How to deal with aggression in oneself, how to suppress and calm it, and how to deal with an aggressor if he causes suffering and pain?

The main thing to understand in the first place: the concept of aggression in itself does not carry any pathologies, it is a natural, innate part of the psyche of any of us, and it simply needs to be accepted, controlled and expressed in the right forms, without accumulating and not venting to innocent others or to their own detriment.

Important: suppression is not a way to reduce aggression! It cannot be suppressed by force, the nature of aggression is such that it must be expressed, come out, and sooner or later crises and attacks will come from forceful suppression.

1. The most painful phenomenon for parents is increased child aggression, especially the aggression of adolescents who become uncontrollable. How to deal with increased aggression in a child?

First of all, it is worth determining whether there is cause for concern, whether there really is a problem, or whether he is a normal, just emotional, vulnerable and very sensitive child. Indeed, it is natural for a child to sometimes cry, scream, be capricious and, in general, emotionally show his inner nature.

If there really is a problem, it may be worth contacting a child psychologist, but in no case should the attacks be suppressed by force, threats or punishment, as this will lead to deterioration and disastrous consequences in the future.

2. If strong aggression is found in adolescents, there are a variety of recommendations for parents, the main one is to be patient. As a rule, the life of a teenager is a continuous stress, and it just needs to be experienced. Try to take the side of the child, support him, do not impose advice, and even more so do not put pressure on him.

Try to create an atmosphere for a teenager in which there will be a minimum of stressful situations, and do not provoke. Most likely, aggression in adolescence will go away on its own, along with the “difficult age”, unless the parents themselves exacerbate it.

3. How to respond to the aggressor if he does not allow you to live in peace - in the environment, at work, in a team? The main rule is not to respond in kind and not to point out wrong behavior, not to try to “re-educate” a person, not to make him feel guilty (which, by the way, also always leads to aggressiveness).

If you are forced to work or interact with an aggressive person, try to maintain your composure and not buy into his behavior, do not be a victim, keep a positive, calm and balanced state of mind. Thus, you will not change the character of a person, but with you he will behave differently over time.

If a person takes out his anger and accumulated tension on you, then you yourself have a reason for that. Perhaps you are a good victim, afraid of someone else's anger and reacting sharply to it.

Take a look around: there will surely be people in your environment to whom this aggressor does not react, with whom he communicates calmly. Try to see how these people behave and adopt their form of behavior - this way you will surely save yourself from the attacks of the aggressor.

4. It is quite another thing - attacks of aggression in men, in a husband, in a family. The ideal option, but rather difficult, is to persuade your spouse (or spouse) to visit a specialist, make an appointment with a psychoanalyst who can help you solve a family problem.

The general recommendations are not to provoke, not to annoy and not to point out, not to show constant dissatisfaction, but to try to find reasons, analyze when and in connection with what a loved one “lights up”, and find the strength to ensure that the struggle goes peacefully and is crowned with success. .

5. The most difficult question is how to overcome aggression in yourself. After all, introspection and work on oneself is perhaps the most difficult work, but a person who is motivated and confident in his goal will always achieve it.

The first step is to find the causes of children's aggression in oneself, to delve into the past, to analyze one's life. Do not try to suppress it, but try to find a way to get rid of it naturally - for example, to play a sport that requires a lot of endurance and strength: martial arts, athletics.

Start leading a healthy lifestyle, say goodbye to tobacco, alcohol and any bad habits, move a lot and, most importantly, have a good rest. These methods will have excellent results. Yoga, meditation, relaxation techniques also give excellent results.

If the aggressiveness does not go away or manifests itself in the form of serious attacks, it is necessary to consult a specialist and be sure to undergo the correct testing and a full course of treatment.

The psychologist will conduct a diagnostic test for the level of aggression, analyze the diagnosis, understand the causes and select the appropriate treatment that will help to cope with the problem.

In order to fight something that prevents you from living a full and happy life, you need to understand it well, study it, understand it. Having understood what passive aggression is, where the increased aggressiveness in children and adolescents comes from, what are the causes of depression and anger, you can independently put your mental state in order, achieve balance and harmony in your inner world. Author: Vasilina Serova

In daily reports, events that occur due to human aggressiveness constantly flash. In everyday life, anyone is accompanied by quarrels, conflicts, screams, and so on. In modern realities, aggression is perceived as a negative phenomenon, therefore it is condemned. However, this does not affect the existence of enemy groups in any way.

In order to understand how to contain aggression, you need to understand in more detail the reasons for its occurrence, as well as the concept itself.

What is aggression?

In order to understand the concept of “aggression”, it is necessary to analyze this term. In psychology, this phenomenon is the commission of destructive actions that can harm both psychological and physical objects or living beings.

If we consider the analyzes of various scientists, it should be noted that aggression is called not only a specific behavior, but also a human condition.

The famous psychotherapist Sigmund Freud noted that this phenomenon is the predisposition of each object. The higher it is, the greater will be the tendency to display aggression. Therefore, the described reaction can be considered natural to various kinds of stress and provoking factors. Aggression can be destructive as well as constructive. In the first case, it is reciprocal, and in the second, it allows a person to maintain his individuality, assert himself, or increase self-esteem. Beyond that, aggression is a way to relieve tension.

The described phenomenon can be both an emotional manifestation and an indicator of social behavior. Aggression can be called any action that is capable of causing harm in some way. The victim can be either an inanimate object or a person (animal).

Some psychologists put aggression on the level of cruelty, but you need to understand that not every action with the described phenomenon can be classified as serious. Aggression is perceived as a property of a person, when a person is able to perform any such actions in the framework of protecting his interests and in order to achieve certain results.

This phenomenon can be considered in two versions: a form of hostility and a characteristic of adaptability. In the first case, a person will be offended by everyone, start quarrels or fights, inflict destructive “blows”. In the second option, the person tries to protect himself, his rights and maintain independence.

Thus, aggressiveness can be considered both a negative phenomenon and a condition that allows a person to develop and realize himself. Any leader needs to have at least a small amount of aggression in order to control others.

Characteristics of aggression

As mentioned above, the manifestation of aggression should be considered in two aspects. One of them is the desire to cause harm, and the second is the need, which allows harmonious development.

The scientific literature indicates that in the absence of aggressiveness, a person can become passive and, as a result, his individuality will be erased, and existence will become unbearable. Every person has this phenomenon, but it has a different level and features. How strong the aggression is, as well as how long it lasts, depends entirely on many nuances. Such negative phenomena should also be considered from the side of factors that affect a person, that is, situational, psychological, physiological, and so on. To this it must be added that aggression is a person's reaction to any dissatisfaction associated with the surrounding reality. It can be latent or explicit, direct or indirect, passive or active, verbal or physical. Consider the classification of such actions. There are 5 different forms.

Forms of aggression

Let's take a closer look at the types of aggression.

• There is a physical one. It consists in the manifestation of power to any living organism.
• The indirect form indicates that a person behaves aggressively not in relation to the cause of irritation. These emotions are manifested towards the other. Sometimes a person in such a situation can express aggression by slamming doors, tapping on the table, and so on.
• Verbal aggression is manifested by screams and quarrels, and often people use abuse, obscene words, threats, and so on.
• Negativism is characterized by the fact that aggressive behavior arises towards older people, as well as people who are older in social status. That is, in this case, an outbreak of aggression will manifest itself only in the direction of authority.
• The last form is the human tendency to be irritated. That is, the object becomes aggressive even with the smallest degree of excitability: it is very quick-tempered, sharp and rude.

Causes

Any aggression, as a rule, is manifested due to any factors. It is they who provoke a person to the occurrence of such a reaction. The main reasons that may be should be considered.

• Features of character, temperament.
• Factors of behavioral, social, psychological type and so on.
• Hatred that manifests itself in relation to moral convictions, as well as an attempt to aggressively assert their ideals in society.

Description of precipitating factors

In order to combat aggression, it is necessary to know what factors contribute to the increase in the level of such a phenomenon. Let's consider them separately.

• Behavioral. We are talking about actions that are aimed at stopping human development. This should also include the lack of desire for self-development, as well as such difficulties as vandalism or the aimlessness of existence itself.
• Social. A person can be influenced by such factors as politics, the economy of the state itself. In the event that a cult of violence or hostility manifests itself in a society, and also some things begin to be sharply propagated by the media, then anyone can show aggression. It should also be noted the influence of people who surround a person, as well as a low social position in society itself.
• personal factors. It's about the character of a person. For example, someone who has increased anxiety, irritability, depression, problems with development, self-esteem, with the manifestation of emotions, gender roles, has various addictions, and difficulties in communicating in society will be aggressive.
• Situational. This should include conditions of temperature and climatic type, the influence of culture, stressful situations, the expectation of some kind of revenge or an attack of aggression from another person.

Manifestations in different age categories

How a person shows his aggressiveness depends on a large number of factors. Among them, it is necessary to note individual development, age category, experience, nervous system, as well as the impact of the above nuances on human life. A special role in determining the causes of aggression is assigned to the system of education and the social environment. At different ages, aggression can manifest itself in different ways.

• If we are talking about babies, then they cry, scream, do not smile, do not want to make contact with their parents. In addition, the child can harm the younger and animals.
• In preschool age, the manifestation of aggression becomes more diverse. Children use not only screaming and crying, but they can also bite, spit, use offensive words, and so on. As a rule, at this age, such a reaction is only impulsive.
• Aggression of schoolchildren is often manifested by causing harm to weak children. They can bully others, pressure, taunt, and get into fights.
• In adolescence, aggressiveness can manifest itself due to peer pressure. As a rule, at this age, this phenomenon is a way to establish itself in the team, as well as to take a special place in society. It should be noted that often aggression in adolescents occurs not only because of the situation in which he found himself, but is also considered a manifestation of character.
• Separately, it should be noted the appearance of aggressiveness already in adulthood, since a person will be influenced by a greater number of factors, given that the character is already formed. It is necessary to highlight the presence of fear, which is aimed at the fact that society may not accept and not recognize, strong irritability, impulsiveness, suspicion, dependence on various signs. Such people, as a rule, experience only fear and resentment. They are incapable of feeling guilt and responsibility. It is also very difficult for them to adapt to a new society.

Formation conditions

It is necessary to understand what provokes aggression in a child and adults. The most significant conditions that form such a manifestation are the influence of the media, family factors, aggression from others, as well as individual, age and gender characteristics.

With regards to the mass media, in psychology this factor is in question. Consider the conditions that can cause aggression in a child or adult.

Why do negative emotions appear? There are several reasons for this:

• what is promoted by the mass media is accepted by a person as a manifestation of aggression;
• accepting oneself as a negative character from a video or film;
• identification of oneself as an object capable of harming any victim;
• the situations shown are too realistic. They can significantly affect the emotional sphere of a person.

Diagnostics

It is very important to correctly diagnose aggression in order to completely overcome it. Considering that this phenomenon is developed differently for each person, it is necessary to accurately study all the features of the psychotype of a particular patient. It is necessary not only to observe the behavior, but also to carry out diagnostics, consisting of various methods. They will allow not only to understand the whole situation from the subjective side, but also to objectively confirm the results that have been identified.

It is rather difficult to consider internal aggressiveness from a medical point of view, since most of the methods are aimed only at identifying external manifestations. At the moment, doctors use the Bass-Darky questionnaire, the Assinger test, and some other methods. They allow you to understand what a person feels and what are the reasons for aggression. Let's consider each technique separately.

• Assinger test. It is necessary in order to identify aggression in a relationship. Thanks to him, you can figure out what level of negative emotions a person has when talking with someone else. Thus, it becomes clear whether communication is easy for him, how he builds contacts with people around him, and so on.
• Eysenck test. Thanks to him, you can check the mental state of the patient. There are 4 scales. They describe various states of the psyche: frustration, anxiety, rigidity, and directly aggression.
• Bass-Darky Questionnaire. It consists of 8 scales and allows you to determine what kind of aggression in a person dominates. You can also understand by counting the index how pronounced hostility is.

It should be noted that these methods are not universal. Therefore, it will not work to understand only by one test why aggression in a person appears too often. Diagnostics should always consist of a whole complex, which allows us to talk about real results.

Status correction

It is impossible to talk about a complete cure for aggressiveness, because it is not a disease. This phenomenon is a property of the individual, which can be enhanced or, conversely, suppressed. It all depends on self-awareness, self-regulation and the characteristics of a particular person. Scientists also talk about the influence of genetic conditions on the formation of aggression. However, it still depends more on social communication skills, as well as those factors that affect a person on a daily basis. Therefore, to treat the manifestation of aggression in a child or an adult, it is important to use corrective methods. They reduce the level of hostility. It should be noted that the manifestation of such an emotion is not an inevitable form of the psyche's response to various difficulties.

It has long been proven that if you work on yourself correctly, as well as create comfortable conditions for existence, you can not only learn to control such attacks, but also completely stop their occurrence. Correction of aggressiveness can be carried out by a psychologist or a psychotherapist. A psychiatrist should be contacted if the aggression of adolescents or older people has reached a critical situation when a person is able to harm either himself or other living beings.

Among the main methods of struggle should be noted hypnosis, psychodrama, psychoanalysis, training programs, as well as autogenic training.

Many psychologists consider training very interesting, which allows a person to learn how to communicate in society and acquire certain skills. On it, the specialist models situations in which it is shown to the maximum that a person can calmly respond to any conflict or a manifestation of aggressiveness on the part of other people. Role-playing games are arranged, which makes it possible to experience various stressful situations with maximum safety for the human psyche. The training also teaches how to transfer the acquired skills and abilities into your life.

What to do with an aggressive child?

It should be understood that aggression is an emotion that children often experience. The main step in the fight against it is attention to the child. If parents know their child well, then they can prevent sudden outbreaks. If we are talking about physical aggression, it will be easier to suppress it than verbal. When a child begins to express his emotions in any way, he needs to be distracted. You can come up with something interesting. If a child began to harm another, then he should be punished for this.

When the baby does not understand that he needs to stop, it is recommended to explain the mistake to him as clearly as possible and give him punishment. At the same time, the object of enmity must be surrounded by attention and care. Then the child will understand that his behavior is losing and he will not achieve the desired result.

At first, he will show more aggression, refuse to clean up after himself, follow advice, and so on, but after a while he realizes that such tactics are unprofitable. It is important to make it clear to the baby that he is responsible for his actions, including aggression. After the child has completed the necessary actions that were taken as punishment, he should be encouraged.

Games for aggressive kids

Aggression is a negative phenomenon that needs to be stopped in time. If we are talking about a child with a too impulsive and quick-tempered character, then methods should be devised to help him deal with aggression. Psychologists recommend choosing those exercises that will allow him to understand that it is not necessary to mock the younger ones in order to throw out emotions. You can engage with your child through games. A good option would be to buy a punching bag, punch out pillows, run or play on the playground (in the section). The child can put paper in his pocket, which he will tear when stressed. This is how the baby will be able to eliminate his negative emotions and stop projecting them onto the younger ones.

Information for thought

As a result, it is necessary to emphasize everything that was written above. Aggression is considered to be a manifestation of a person's character, which can be perceived both in a positive light and in a negative one. This phenomenon allows leaders to maintain authority. Aggression also makes it possible to control people. Thanks to it, you can establish yourself in society. However, it is only good in moderation.

At the moment, negative emotions are manifested quite often in society. This affects the development in young children of an unconscious desire to manifest their feelings in an aggressive form. To prevent negative situations, you need to deal with this phenomenon. You should contact a psychologist. The sooner this happens, the better. This is due to the fact that it is easier to suppress aggression only when it begins to manifest itself than after the perception of the world has been formed. Only through the implementation of corrective measures can various problems in society be prevented.

Human psychology is a rather complex concept, and aggression is considered a negative manifestation of character. You should fight it so as not to conflict with the world and communicate normally with society.