9.3 The Violence around Us: How the Social Situation Influences Aggression

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Learning Objectives

Review the situational variables that increase and decrease aggression.

Explain the different effects of reward, punishment, and modeling on aggression.

Review the influences of viewing violent behavior on aggression and explain why these effects might occur.

Although emotions and biology are critical, they are not the only determinants of our aggression. Of particular importance to social psychologists is the role of the social situation.