Observing Aggression and Learning From It

"Is aggression part of our primate nature, wired into our systems because it helps us survive, or do we learn it from such seemingly innocent occupations as watching cartoons and wrestling matches on TV? Can the answer be both? There is evidence in support of both a genetic, evolutionary source for human aggression, and for the role of observational learning in its acquisition."

"Aggression and violence are related to one another in that violent actions are aggressive, but not all aggressive actions are violent. In research, aggression is usually defined as either physical (pushing and shoving, for example) or non-physical behaviors (taunting, spreading rumors and insults) that are intended to harm or irritate another person. Violence is physical aggression intended to cause serious physical harm, injury or even death to the other person (Huesmann, 2007)."

"About 50% of the variability in expression of aggression can be attributed to genetics (Tuvblad and Baker, 2011). We are born with aggression wired into our neural systems, which suggests that there is an evolutionary purpose to aggression. It isn't hard to see what that purpose might be. We're aggressive usually to gain something, resources or access to what we need to survive."

Aggression results from both genetic predispositions and environmental influences. Genetic factors account for about half of the variability in aggressive behavior, implying an evolved neural basis tied to securing resources and survival. The remaining variability is attributable to social and environmental learning through direct interactions and observation of models. Aggression includes physical and non-physical actions intended to harm or irritate others, while violence specifically denotes physical aggression intended to cause serious injury or death. Observational learning operates in humans and other species; evidence indicates that animals such as mice can acquire aggressive behaviors by observing others. Widespread daily screen use increases exposure to behavioral models.

Read at Psychology Today