Theoretical perspectives on aggression

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Theoretical Perspectives on Aggression

Introduction

Theoretical Perspectives on Aggression

Conventionally, in Psychology aggression has been defined as the behavior, which is a reaction against others that deliberately inflicts harm. This type of a behavior can either take the form of a fierce physical attack or verbal abuse, like spreading nasty gossip all over. Even though this definition seems good enough for several applications, it is still not accurate enough for the broad comprehension of aggressive behavior.

In this essay, we will be discussing various theoretical perspectives on aggression and talk in support or not in support of these perspectives. We would also give our viewpoint on each of the perspectives studied and apply them to specific examples in our life.

Discussion

Psychoanalytical/Psychodynamic Viewpoint

Psychoanalysis is a one of the different types of psychodynamic theory, which was thought over by Freud, which aims majorly on unaware motivations that can arise conflicts. Psychodynamic theory is a much wider therapeutic orientation, which includes self-psychology, object relations, ego psychology, psychoanalysis and some more too. Behavior is defined in as a sum of various experiences a person faces in life and motivational forces that instigate these experiences. While actions are seen to be branching out from innate instincts, organic drives, and motives to determine conflicts amidst personal needs and social needs.

The main concept of psychoanalytic theory is that all behavior, feelings and thinking are related to the unconscious processes and internal forces. The internal forces keep on changing with time. It states the ways via which these inner forces interconnect with one another which create the behavior and feelings within a human being. When all these internal forces react and create a conflict with each other, abnormal behavior takes birth. The theory suggests that there is no signal or behavior, which is not intentional. Hence, it puts forth that all behaviors that a human expresses are determined. Specifically, it can easily be determined through experiences, especially those that occur in early childhood (Freud, 1964).

Psychoanalytic theory states all such relationships of a child, which come into existence in early childhood. These relationships are related to his or her caregivers and have integral effects on the personality development of the child. Freud expressed that as children pass by the stage of development, they go through a variety of psychosexual stages. Each stage has emotional conflicts that can be solved via the id, ego, and superego, and every stage focuses on a sexual region of the body. The psychological issues and conflict, which arise within each stage, need to be presented efficiently for the child to come up with a personality, which is psychologically fit. The ultimate state of mental health hence should be a balance of the three sides of the psyche id, ego and super ego. The communication of all these three stages is dynamic and the energy of all of them together forms a great balance, which helps a person to hold on to the impulsiveness of the id, the morality ...