PSY 2110 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Relational Aggression, Verbal Behavior, Social Learning Theory

• School: University of Ottawa
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSY 2110
• Professor: Marie- Lyne Laliberte

Document Summary

Although there are several different definitions of aggression, social psychologists tend to define it as follows: A physical or verbal behaviour that is intended to cause either physical or psychological pain to someone. There are three main ideas in that definition: The presence of a behaviour, hence omission/negligence does not constitute aggression. The causing of harm or pain to someone intentionally, hence assertiveness, accidents and play don"t constitute aggression, since they lack the intent to hurt another. The nature of the harm caused to the person can be either physical or psychological. It has to be noted that many social psychologists consider threat to reputation or social relations, a third type of harm caused to a person. Behaviours that employ damage to relationships, or the threat of damage to relationships, as the vehicle of harm. Trying to hurt a person"s relationship with their friends, family, etc. Direct relationally aggressive acts are more common than indirect during early childhood.