Frustration–aggression hypothesis

Frustration–aggression hypothesis is a psychological theory that attempts to explain why individuals sometimes respond to frustration with aggression. The hypothesis was first formulated by researchers John Dollard, Neal E. Miller, Leonard W. Doob, O. H. Mowrer, and Robert R. Sears in their 1939 work, Frustration and Aggression. It posits that aggression is the result of blocking, or frustrating, an individual's efforts to achieve a goal. When a person's effort to reach a desired goal is thwarted, the resulting frustration can lead to aggressive behavior.

Overview

The frustration–aggression hypothesis suggests that frustration always precedes aggression, and aggression is the sure consequence of frustration. According to the theory, frustration is defined as the condition which arises from the interference with the occurrence of an instigated goal-response at its proper time in the behavior sequence. This theory implies that the closer one is to their goal, the greater the excitement of the instigated goal-response, and consequently, the greater the frustration and potential for aggression when the goal is thwarted.

Reformulation

In 1967, Leonard Berkowitz introduced a significant reformulation of the frustration–aggression hypothesis. He suggested that frustration leads to aggression because it increases negative feelings, which in turn, leads to aggression when socially acceptable responses are not available. Berkowitz also emphasized that frustration produces an inclination towards aggression by increasing arousal, annoyance, and other negative emotions. According to this reformulation, not all frustrations lead to aggression, and not all aggression is caused by frustration, but rather, frustration increases the probability of an aggressive response.

Applications and Implications

The frustration–aggression hypothesis has been applied in various fields, including social psychology, criminology, and conflict resolution. It has been used to explain phenomena such as road rage, workplace violence, and even the dynamics of international conflicts. Understanding the link between frustration and aggression can help in developing strategies to reduce aggressive behavior in individuals and societies.

Criticism

Critics of the frustration–aggression hypothesis argue that it oversimplifies the relationship between frustration and aggression. They point out that people often experience frustration without resorting to aggression and that aggression can be triggered by other factors, such as social learning, without the presence of frustration. Furthermore, the hypothesis does not account for the role of cognitive processes in mediating the frustration-aggression link.

See Also

• Aggression
• Social psychology
• Conflict resolution
• Berkowitz, Leonard