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Evaluate Freud’s psychodynamic explanation of aggression. - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 11 - 2020 - Paper 1
Question 11
Evaluate Freud’s psychodynamic explanation of aggression.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Evaluate Freud’s psychodynamic explanation of aggression. - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 11 - 2020 - Paper 1
Step 1
Freud stated that the ego employs a range of defence mechanisms to deal with conflict and problems in life.
Answer
Freud's psychoanalytic theory posits that aggression is rooted in the dynamics of the psyche, particularly involving the ego's mechanisms. The ego utilizes defense mechanisms to cope with internal conflicts, suggesting that aggression can emerge when these defenses are overwhelmed. This leads to frustration that manifests as aggressive behavior.
Step 2
In Freud’s view aggression originates from the redirection of self-destructive death instincts away from the self towards others.
Answer
According to Freud, the concept of the 'death drive' indicates that individuals possess an inherent aggressiveness that must be redirected. This theory can explain why individuals sometimes project aggression onto others as a means of coping with their own destructive impulses.
Step 3
Catharsis is a way of venting aggression; it involves releasing internal emotions such as anger.
Answer
Freud proposed that catharsis serves as an outlet for aggression, allowing individuals to relieve built-up tension and emotional stress. This suggests that expressing aggression in a controlled manner can be beneficial for mental health, raising discussions about the therapeutic implications of outlet activities like sports or art.
Step 4
Displacement is when a person uses an alternative object to satisfy an impulse, such as a punch bag to displace aggression.
Answer
Displacement occurs when individuals direct their aggressive impulses towards a less threatening target. This can be seen in scenarios where frustrations from one area of life lead to aggression towards something or someone else. Understanding this can aid in identifying maladaptive behaviors and promote healthier coping strategies.
Step 5
Components of personality such as the ego are difficult to measure as they do not exist as a specific region of the brain so Freud's ideas lack scientific credibility.
Answer
Critics argue that Freud's constructs are largely abstract and not empirically testable, leading to debates about the validity of his theories. Without tangible evidence or measurable components, the psychodynamic explanation may be viewed as speculative rather than robust.
Step 6
Biological psychology provides evidence that aggression is not a death instinct but associated with biological roots.
Answer
Research in biological psychology, such as studies by Dabbs et al. (1995), suggests that aggression correlates with hormonal influences, like testosterone levels. This biological approach challenges Freud's notion of aggression as simply a mental construct, proposing instead that it is rooted in physical states and behaviors.
Step 7
Verona and Sullivan (2008) found that people reacting with aggression when frustrated had a reduced heart rate compared to those not expressing aggression, arguing against Freud's theories.
Answer
This finding implies that aggressive reactions might not stem solely from innate drives as Freud suggests but could also be influenced by physiological responses. Such evidence supports the view that biological factors significantly modulate aggressive behavior.
Step 8
Bresin et al. (2013) found that adaptive forms of aggression could create a calming effect and empower participants with the skills to regulate anger in the future.
Answer
This insight indicates that there are constructive aspects to aggression that can be harnessed, countering the purely negative view presented by Freud. By recognizing the functional roles violence can play, we can improve our understanding of how aggression may be utilized beneficially in personal growth and emotional regulation.