Aggression - what it is, reasons, 7 scientific theories, methods of struggle

What is aggression

Aggression is an attack, this is how the word aggressio is translated from Latin. It is accompanied by negative emotions: irritation, anger, anger, rage. In an act of aggression, emotional release occurs - the body is freed from negative energy that, for some reason, has accumulated inside.

Who, who and why should be attacked? The initiator of the conflict must obviously have motives to violate the safety and well-being of living beings around him. Unmotivated aggression is a sign of mental disorders. But even normal people have many complaints against others in order to take out their irritation and anger on them.

Aggression makes a person similar to a predatory animal, which attacks in cases where its basic needs are violated:

in food within certain limits of safety in the reproduction and preservation of offspring

In people, the feeling of hunger also gives rise to irritability: once good-natured fat women, for example, having gone on a diet, take out their “hungry anger” on loved ones and colleagues.

The nature of aggressive behavior

Aggressive reactions appear in behavior when a person fails to satisfy needs that are significant to him. If you didn’t get a ticket to a concert of a group you’re indifferent to, it goes almost unnoticed for your psyche. But if you are a fan, and getting to this concert is the limit of your desires, then the mechanisms of aggression come into play in order to achieve the goal at any cost.

Aggression centers in our brain

In the central nervous system, three centers are responsible for the model of active behavior in unfavorable situations:

1 The amygdala of the right hemisphere of the brain receives all information negative for the body and transmits it to the hypothalamus.

2 The hypothalamus provides a hormonal response to danger signals from the amygdala.

3 The cingulate gyrus and frontal lobes of the cerebral cortex are responsible for choosing behavior in a given situation, calculating the chances of success and possible consequences. The more developed this “thinking” zone of the brain is in a person, the less inclined he is to show aggression - an energy-consuming and destructive way of satisfying needs.

In aggressive people, the work of the amygdala is more pronounced - this center stores the memory of the negative emotions of past experiences: fear, malice, anger. They quickly take hold of the nervous system and provoke immediate action. It is customary to say about such people: “without a king in their head” - they are in a hurry to start a conflict, and only then think about broken pots.

What hormones control aggressive behavior?

Aggressive behavior is prepared by hormones that are secreted by the adrenal glands following a signal from the hypothalamus.

Norepinephrine is the “rage hormone” that awakens the lion in a person. The action of this hormone is conveyed by the formula: “attack or defend.” Inhibition centers are blocked, blood vessels constrict, blood pressure rises, the heart beats faster - the body is preparing to fight for its interests.

Norepinephrine receptors in the brain, if this center is highly developed from birth, a person is genetically predisposed to active behavior and aggression.

Adrenaline is a “fear hormone” that makes you quickly get rid of danger. It is also called the “rabbit hormone” with the motto: “hit and run.” Adrenaline, like norepinephrine, acts on the autonomic nervous system and accelerates metabolic processes. When the danger has passed, these hormones stimulate the production of positive emotions and the experience of success.

Testosterone is a male hormone, and, as has been established, men for the most part behave more aggressively than women. But researchers did not find a direct connection between increased testosterone and increased aggressiveness.

Ammon's self-structural test, Method scales: constructiveness, destructiveness, deficiency

(go to the Ammon test itself) The Ammon Self-structural test presents the following scales: Constructive, destructive and deficit aggression, anxiety (fear), external and internal self-delimitation, narcissism and sexuality.

Constructive aggression

Individuals who show high scores on the scale of constructive aggression are characterized by activity, initiative, openness, sociability, and creativity. They are capable of constructively overcoming difficulties and interpersonal conflicts, sufficiently highlight their own main goals and interests and fearlessly defend them in constructive interaction with others.

Their activity, even in confrontational situations, takes into account the interests of their partners, so they, as a rule, are able to reach compromise solutions without compromising personally significant goals, i.e. without compromising your own identity.

Destructive aggression

Individuals who show high scores on this scale are characterized by hostility, conflict, and aggressiveness. They, as a rule, are not able to maintain friendly relations for a long time, are prone to confrontation for the sake of confrontation, exhibit excessive rigidity in discussions, in conflict situations strive for the “symbolic” destruction of the enemy, experience pleasure from contemplating an insulted or humiliated “enemy”, and are distinguished by vindictiveness and vindictiveness and cruelty. In behavior, destructive aggression is manifested by a tendency to destroy contacts and relationships, in destructive actions up to unexpected breakthroughs of violence, a tendency to verbal expression of anger and rage, destructive actions or fantasies, a desire for forceful solutions to problems, adherence to destructive ideologies, a tendency to devaluation (emotional and mental) of other people and interpersonal relationships, vindictiveness, cynicism.

Deficit aggression

Individuals who show high scores on the deficit aggression scale are characterized by a passive life position, alienation of their own plans, interests and needs. They tend to put off making decisions and are unable to put in any significant effort to achieve their goals. In interpersonal situations, as a rule, there is compliance, dependence and a desire to avoid any contradictions, situations of conflicting interests and needs.

Constructive anxiety (fear)

Individuals with high scores on the constructive anxiety scale are characterized by the ability to soberly assess the dangers of a real life situation, to overcome their fear in order to realize vital tasks, goals and plans, and expand life experience. They, as a rule, are able to make informed, balanced decisions in extreme situations, and have sufficient tolerance to anxious experiences, allowing them to maintain integrity even in difficult situations that require a responsible choice, i.e. identity confirmation. Anxiety in these people contributes to increased productivity and overall performance.

Destructive anxiety (fear)

Individuals with high scores on the scale of destructive fear are characterized by increased anxiety, a tendency to worry and worry even on the most insignificant occasions, difficulties in organizing their own activity, a frequent feeling of insufficient control over the situation, indecisiveness, timidity, shyness, spontaneity, and the severity of vegetative stigmas of anxiety ( sweating, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, etc.). They, as a rule, experience serious difficulties in self-realization, expanding their often limited life experience, feel helpless in situations that require mobilization and confirmation of identity, are filled with all sorts of fears about their future, and are unable to truly trust either themselves or the people around them.

Deficit fear (anxiety)

Individuals with high scores on the deficit fear scale are characterized by the absence of an alarm reaction in both unusual and potentially dangerous situations, a tendency to take risky actions, ignoring the assessment of their likely consequences, and a tendency to emotionally devalue important events, objects and relationships, for example, situations of separation with significant others, loss of loved ones, etc.

Constructive external self-delimitation

High scores on the scale of constructive external self-delimitation reflect openness, sociability, sociability, good integration of internal experience associated with interpersonal activity, sufficient ability to set one’s own goals and objectives, usually consistent with the requirements of others, good emotional contact with external reality, maturity emotional experiences, the ability to rationally distribute one’s time and efforts, choose an adequate strategy of behavior in accordance with the changing current situation and one’s own life plans.

Destructive external self-delimitation

Individuals with high scores on this scale are characterized by strict emotional distancing, inability to flexibly regulate interpersonal relationships, affective stiffness and closedness, emotional introversion, indifference to the difficulties, problems and needs of other people, focus on overcontrol of expressiveness, lack of initiative, uncertainty in situations requiring skills interpersonal communication, inability to accept help, passive life position.

Deficient external self-delimitation

High scores on this scale are typical for people who are obedient, dependent, conforming, dependent, seeking constant support and approval, protection and recognition, usually strictly oriented towards group norms and values, identifying themselves with group interests and needs, and therefore unable to form their own, a different point of view from others. These people are prone to symbiotic fusion, rather than equal, mature partnerships, and in connection with this, they tend to experience significant difficulties in maintaining sustainable productive and, especially, in situations where it is necessary to interrupt contacts. Typical for them is a feeling of their own weakness, openness, helplessness and insecurity.

Constructive internal self-delimitation

Individuals with high scores on this scale are characterized by a good ability to distinguish between external and internal, differentiated perception of internal experiences, bodily sensations and their own activity, the ability to flexibly use the possibilities of sensory and emotional comprehension of reality, as well as intuitive decisions without losing control over reality, good controllability of bodily states, the generally positive nature of internal experience, the ability for sufficient mental concentration, high overall orderliness of mental activity.

Destructive internal self-delimitation

Persons with high scores on this scale give the impression of being formal, dry, overly businesslike, rational, pedantic, and insensitive. They dream little and almost never fantasize, do not strive for warm partnerships, and are not capable of deep empathy. The inability to adequately perceive their own feelings and needs makes these people insensitive to the emotions and needs of others; in the extreme, the real world of the living people around them can be replaced by a set of their own projections. In intellectual activity, they are prone to systematization and classification. In general, an overly rationalized consciousness is complemented by an overly irrationalized unconscious, which often manifests itself in inappropriate actions and deeds, accidents, and accidental injuries.

Deficient internal self-delimitation

Individuals with high scores on the scale of deficient internal delimitation are characterized by impulsiveness, weakness of emotional control, a tendency to exalted states, insufficient balance in actions and decisions, “overwhelm” with disparate, varied feelings, images or thoughts, extreme inconsistency in interpersonal relationships, inability to sufficiently concentration of efforts, poor regulation of bodily processes.

Very high scores on this scale may indicate a prepsychotic or psychotic state. In behavior then, inadequacy, disorganization and disintegration come to the fore, often perceived as pretentiousness and absurdity.

Constructive narcissism

Individuals with high scores on this scale are characterized by high self-esteem, self-esteem, healthy ambition, realistic perception of themselves and others, openness in interpersonal contacts, diversity of interests and motivations, the ability to enjoy life in its most varied manifestations, emotional and spiritual maturity, opportunity resist unfavorable developments of events, unkind assessments and actions of others without harming oneself and the need to use protective forms that seriously distort reality.

Destructive narcissism

High scores on this scale reflect pronounced inconsistency of self-esteem, inconsistency of its individual components, instability of attitude towards oneself, difficulties in interpersonal contacts, extreme touchiness, excessive caution, closedness in communication, a tendency to constantly control one’s own expression, restraint, spontaneity, “super insight” up to suspicion. Facade impeccability is often accompanied by excessive demands and intransigence towards the shortcomings and weaknesses of others; a high need to be in the center of attention, to receive recognition from others, is combined with intolerance to criticism and a tendency to avoid situations in which real external assessment of one’s own properties can occur, and the inferiority of interpersonal communication is compensated by a pronounced tendency to manipulate.

Deficit narcissism

High scores on this scale characterize people who are unsure of themselves, their capabilities, strength and competence, hiding from life, passive, pessimistic, dependent, overly conforming, incapable of genuine human contacts, striving for a symbiotic merger, feeling their uselessness and inferiority, constantly in need in narcissistic “feeding” and incapable of constructive interaction with life and always content with only the role of passive recipients.

Constructive sexuality

High scores on this scale are typical for sensitive, mature people who are able to establish close partnerships, who understand their needs well and feel the needs of another, who are able to communicate and realize their own sexual desires without exploitation and impersonal manipulation of others, who are capable of a mutually enriching exchange of sensory experiences and sensual experiences. , not fixed on any clichéd methods of sexual behavior; as a rule, having a fairly developed sexual repertoire with diversity and differentiation of erotic components, which, however, are well integrated and reflect the holistic, natural activity of the individual.

Destructive sexuality

High scores on the scale of destructive sexuality are characteristic of persons incapable of spiritually filled, emotionally rich sexual experiences; avoiding emotional intimacy, trust and warmth. The place of true interest in a sexual partner is usually taken by some particular stimulating element, for example, novelty, unusualness, characteristics of secondary sexual characteristics, etc. Destructive sexuality can manifest itself in various forms of aggressive behavior: from scandalousness to open manifestations of physical violence and/or a tendency to self-destruction. Sexual excess is rarely experienced by them as genuine “here and now.”

Deficient sexuality

Individuals with high scores on the scale of deficient sexuality are characterized by low sexual activity, a desire to avoid sexual contacts up to complete abandonment, and a tendency to replace real sexual relationships with fantasies. Such people are not able to experience joy from their own body, communicate their desires and needs to others, and are easily embarrassed in situations that require sexual identification. They perceive the sexual desires and claims of others as threatening their own identity. They are characterized by insufficient emotional content even in significant interpersonal relationships. A lack of sexual experience usually causes a “too serious” attitude to life, a poor understanding of people, as well as life in general.

Classification of types of aggression

The concept of aggression includes the following characteristic features:

destructive (destructive) behavior is an attack - violates the boundaries of the psychological and physical safety of the victim; causes harm, causing physical and moral harm; violates the norms of communication accepted in society

A logical classification of types of aggression according to the method of expression was developed by A. Bass. Based on the nature of their manifestation, all aggressive actions are divided into two categories - physical and verbal manifestations of hostility.

Physical aggression

Physical aggression is a manifestation of hostility expressed through action. The attack can be:

Direct and active - the aggressor does not hide his hostility towards this person, openly encroaches on his safety.

Direct and passive - without hiding his negative attitude towards the opponent, the aggressor prevents him from successfully working towards realizing his goals.

Indirect and active - the instigator prefers to remain in the shadows, acting through third parties, hiring killers.

Indirect and passive - does not keep promises, does not do the work that is expected of him, as if by chance he lets down and sets up his opponent.

Active forms of aggression are characteristic of men; they are aimed at destroying the external attributes of the victim’s life. Women are prone to passive forms of revenge, which do not cause physical harm, but have a destructive effect on the psyche.

Verbal aggression

Verbal aggression is perhaps the most common type of expression of hostility among people.

The direct and active form is a conversation with a categorical raised tone, unceremonious interruption, ridicule in the eyes, cruel jokes and sarcasm, trolling and banter.

Direct passive aggression is silence, boycott, the strongest form of mental violence. It is especially painful for children.

The indirect active form is “washing the bones” behind the victim’s back, spreading gossip and rumors behind his back.

Indirect passive aggression - refusal to clarify the relationship, reluctance to clarify anything.

Other types of aggressive behavior

According to the focus on the object, heteroaggression is distinguished - dissatisfaction with the surrounding world. The aggressor makes claims against him on external objects: familiar and unfamiliar people, animals, inanimate objects. Toxic people lack vital energy unless they ruin their mood and make the lives of their loved ones miserable.

In the absence of a suitable victim among people, they can hit a defenseless animal in a fit of irritation, break a plant, break an expensive vase - all these are manifestations of heteroaggression.

Autoaggression, on the contrary, is directed inside the person himself. Experiencing acute dissatisfaction with basic needs, a person consciously or subconsciously considers himself guilty - this manifests itself in self-deprecation, self-harm, and life-threatening behavior.

Reactive aggression is people’s response to attempts to invade the space of their personal safety. Depending on the characteristics of the psyche and upbringing, the reaction may be different.

Chapter 2. Types of aggression and their classifications

socialization aggression gender family

There are many different definitions of aggression. But all researchers agree that this is behavior aimed at achieving a need. For example, here is one of the classic definitions: “specifically oriented behavior aimed at eliminating or overcoming everything that threatens the physical and (or) mental integrity of the organism” (Valzelli, 1974).

B. Krahi in his work “The Social Psychology of Aggression” argues that social psychology considers aggression as a special form of social behavior. Its peculiarity lies in the fact that aggression originates within the “social world” of the individual, and at the same time can influence this “social world” and its environment. This means that the main aspects of the study of aggression should be related to the interaction of individuals or social groups. In other words, aggression manifests itself through social relationships. Moreover, the factors preceding aggressive behavior will also be social.

For example, the socialization factor. I.A. Furmanov in his work “Children’s Aggression: Psychodiagnostics and Correction” understands socialization as a process of gradual self-control of the individual. The child or adolescent learns to express his own aggressive impulses in socially acceptable forms. Adolescents adapt to social norms and rules and regulate the manifestations of their “aggressive potential.” This potential does not disappear; it is, as it were, modified into another form. The process of modification or transfer of energy of the “Aggressive potential” can also be compared with the sublimation of S. Freud. Sublimation is a protective mechanism of the psyche, which is a way of relieving internal tension by redirecting impulses to achieve socially acceptable goals or creativity. True, the mechanism of sublimation is a broader structure. Freud argued that it is possible to transform all unwanted, traumatic and negative experiences into various types of constructive and useful activities. However, not every teenager can fully control his aggressive energy. Therefore, in order to gain control over your own personality, you need to monitor exactly how people show aggression.

Currently, there are many different classifications of aggression. For example, R. Baron and D. Richardson (“Aggression.”) propose a dichotomous method of division. In other words, the authors identify two equal poles in aggressive behavior. The first pole is instrumental aggression. In this case, aggression is a means to achieve a goal. This goal can be either individual or socially motivated, and it can be positive. For example, sometimes on public transport there is a person who shows aggression towards a young man who does not want to give up his seat. His goal may be individual: to take a given place, due to certain reasons. Or it can be socially motivated: indicating to a young person the norms of society, according to which he is obliged to yield to an older person. In any case, instrumental aggression is aimed at obtaining a result, and not at harming another. In adolescents, instrumental aggression is clearly manifested in the behavior of antisocial groups. They use violence as a method, because it may be required when committing a theft - for example, in cases where the victim resists. However, the primary motivation for such actions is profit rather than inflicting pain and suffering on the intended victims (Stevens, 1971).

The second pole is defined by R. Baron and D. Richardson as hostile aggression. “Hostile aggression is a response to a real, perceived or imagined threat to intentionally cause harm.” The use of the term hostile aggression is typical for those cases when the main goal of the aggressor is to cause suffering to the victim. People who engage in hostile aggression simply seek to cause harm or harm to those they attack. For example, killing a neighbor's pet.

This classification contradicts the opinion of A. Bandura, who believed that the classification cannot be based only on focus on an object. He explained this by the fact that, despite differences in goals, both instrumental and hostile aggression are aimed at solving specific problems, and therefore both types can be considered instrumental aggression. The self-valued infliction of harm and suffering on the victim during hostile aggression still realizes a certain goal and desire of the individual (for example, obtaining personal satisfaction from the fact that another has become ill), that is, it is a tool for achieving one’s desires and needs. This means that more arguments need to be given to justify the classification.

From my point of view, the most structured is the classification of E. Buss (Buss, 1976). It is called the three-axis conceptual framework. At opposite ends of each axis are types of aggression. This classification is of great practical importance, because a person shows several types of aggression at once, moreover, they can change, move from one to another.

E. Bass divides the presented species according to certain criteria. Let's list them:

· directed towards the object,

due to the appearance

by purposefulness,

· by openness of manifestations,

· according to the form of manifestation.

According to the focus on the object, hetero- and auto-aggression are distinguished. heteroaggression is aggression directed at an external object: other people, living beings. The extreme manifestation of heteroaggression is murder and infliction of grievous bodily harm. Auto-aggression is characterized by the individual’s focus on himself or, more precisely, on the mental image of himself. Extreme forms are self-abasement up to and including murder, self-destructive behavior, and psychosomatic illnesses. The causes of auto-aggression are perceived differently by researchers. The only thing that most authors agree on is that it is not typical for a person, as an individual, to direct aggression towards himself. After all, there is an instinct of self-preservation.

In psychoanalysis, auto-aggression (or “turning against oneself”) is considered as a defense mechanism of the psyche. For the first time, this phenomenon was considered by S. Freud. He believed that such behavior is a consequence of the redirection of aggression that was originally directed at an external object. In situations where a person’s life and well-being depends on a given external object (or its existence), aggression can be redirected. In some cases, to another external object (“displacement”), and in other cases, if such an object is not found or, more often, if such redirection turns out to be unacceptable (condemned, punished), aggression turns out to be directed at oneself. Despite the fact that auto-aggression creates serious problems for the one who uses this defense, emotionally they turn out to be more acceptable for him than awareness of the original object of aggression.

Arthur Aleksandrovich Rean, in a study of teenage aggression, proposed introducing the concept of “auto-aggressive personality pattern.” Auto-aggression, in his opinion, is a complex personal complex that functions and manifests itself at various levels. In the structure of the auto-aggressive personality pattern, he distinguishes 4 subblocks:

Characterological subblock - the level of auto-aggression positively correlates with some character traits and characteristics: introversion, pedantry, demonstrativeness, as well as with depression and neuroticism.

Self-esteem subblock - the connection between auto-aggression and self-esteem. The higher the self-aggression of a person, the lower the self-esteem of one’s own cognitive abilities, the lower the self-esteem of the body, the lower the self-esteem of one’s own ability to be independent, autonomous behavior and activity.

Interactive subblock - the connection between personal auto-aggression and the ability - inability to successfully socially adapt, with the success - failure of interpersonal interaction. The level of personal self-aggression correlates negatively with sociability and positively with shyness.

Social-perceptual subblock - the presence of auto-aggression is associated with the peculiarities of perception of other people. Auto-aggression is practically not associated with the negativity of the perception of others. On the contrary, the level of self-aggression correlates with the positive perception of significant others.

Thus, auto-aggression is one of many means of a teenager’s adaptation to society. This adaptation occurs under the influence of the psychotraumatic actions of others (usually physical punishment from parents). This is a learned norm of aggressive behavior. However, if you do not pay enough attention to this topic, then auto-aggression can turn into either neurotic diseases or other forms of aggression.

Due to their appearance, reactive and spontaneous aggression are divided. Reactive aggression is a reaction to an external stimulus (quarrel, conflict). for example, teenagers did not share something during recess, could not come to a compromise, and quarreled. One in relation to the other is an external irritant, which means the other will carry out an aggressive act. In general, this form of aggression is caused only by external factors.

Spontaneous aggression appears for no apparent reason, usually under the influence of some internal impulses. Perhaps this form of aggression is most consistent with the frustration-aggression theory. For example, a teenager’s parents are called to school for one reason or another. Returning home, the teenager thinks about how to break this news to his parents. Having come up with nothing, he breaks the mailbox in the front door. He does this under the influence of accumulated negative emotions, they must get a way out. Also, the manifestation of spontaneous aggression is possible in case of illness. Thus, the stimulus that provokes spontaneous aggression is internal. A teenager can show aggression towards any object, but only in a certain (psychotraumatic for him) situation.

According to purposefulness, instrumental and targeted aggression are divided. Targeted (motivational) aggression acts as a pre-planned action, the purpose of which is to cause harm or damage to an object. For example, a schoolboy was offended by a classmate and beat him up. It does not matter what the aggressor receives for his actions, nor does he care about the consequences of his actions. The only goal (need) is to cause physical or moral harm to the opponent (inanimate object). Instrumental aggression is the opposite of motivational; for it, an aggressive act is a means to achieve another goal, and not the goal itself.

Separation according to the openness of manifestations. Direct aggression is directed directly at an object that causes irritation, anxiety or excitement.

Indirect aggression is directed at objects that do not directly cause excitement and irritation, but are more convenient for the manifestation of aggression (it is safe to address them). For example, some teenagers show aggression towards the weakest members of their group.

Separation by shape. Verbal aggression is expressed in verbal form: threats, insults, the content of which directly indicates the presence of negative emotions and the possibility of causing moral and material harm to the enemy. According to representatives of domestic psycholinguistics (A.N. Leontyev, A.A. Leontyev), a verbal aggressive act can be considered as the internalization of an act, that is, “a transition as a result of which processes external in form are transformed into processes occurring in the mental plane, in in terms of consciousness; at the same time, they undergo a specific transformation - they are generalized, verbalized, reduced, and most importantly - they become capable of further development.” Consequently, the nature of verbal aggression lies in the special transformation of various reactions to negative emotional stimuli (external processes) into processes associated with verbal and mental activity (internal).

Expressive aggression is manifested by non-verbal means: gestures, facial expressions, voice intonation. In such cases, the person makes a threatening grimace, waves his fist or shakes his finger, and spews profanity. The important point is that destructive actions are not necessary. H. Heckhausen says that in adolescence, expressive aggression can be expressed in intimidation of others. The most common method is a procession (rallies) of teenage groups. Teenagers gather together to appear stronger.

Physical aggression is the direct use of force to inflict moral and physical harm on the enemy. A. Bass identifies several types of physical aggression. This is “physical - active - direct” aggression, which is expressed in striking, beating or wounding another person with a weapon. “Physical - active - indirect” is the use of force through intermediaries. Not only people, but also objects (mines, traps) can act as intermediaries. “Physical - passive - direct” is the desire to physically prevent another person from achieving a desired goal or engaging in a desired activity (boycott, sit-in demonstration). Finally, “physical - passive - indirect” is the refusal to perform necessary tasks (for example, refusal to fulfill obligations).

Thus, it can be argued that this classification has wide applied significance. With its help, you can analyze and characterize any aggressive act. For example, a student, after a bad grade on a test, leaves the boss’s office, breaks a mop, overturns a trash can - indirect spontaneous physical heteroaggression. But how to explain the connection between individual characteristics and actions performed?

L.M. Semenyuk. (“Psychological characteristics of aggressive behavior of adolescents and conditions for its correction”) provides data on the age-related dynamics of forms of aggressiveness. 10-11 year olds are more prone to physical aggression (50% of the sample), while 14-15 year olds are more prone to verbal aggression (75% of the group). Does this mean that 10-11 year olds are more aggressive than others? It seems to me that the more frequent manifestation of physical aggression does not mean that the level of aggressiveness of these adolescents is higher than that of others. Each individual combines many characteristics and personality traits. It is not possible to fully find the relationship between these traits and the characteristics of aggressiveness.

As an example, it is possible that a teenager's intelligence level correlates with the frequency of physical aggression. But all researchers, studying certain groups (criminals), claim a connection between the level of intelligence and aggression in general (the higher the aggression, the lower the intelligence). It can also be assumed that people with higher intelligence exhibit indirect and verbal aggression.

But what about gender differences? Are women really as aggressive as men? To answer these questions, it is necessary to trace the specific development of both men and women. Again, it is worth considering both biological and social factors. The next chapter will focus on gender differences in aggressive behavior.

Forms of aggression

Aggressive energy is a product of our body, programmed by nature for survival. In other words, aggressive feelings are born in us to ensure the fulfillment of vital needs. We need aggression in order to defend ourselves and develop, to create and implement our projects in real life.

However, man, unlike animals, has not yet learned to adequately express aggressive energy. Most often it is expressed in conflicting forms that are dangerous to health.

Forms of physical violence

In intraspecific relationships among animals, an attack on a rival is used extremely carefully: it is enough for the dominant male to demonstrate his power in order to exclude all attempts to attack his power.

In humans, the aggressor uses only superior physical strength, weapons are used, the victim is injured, material values ​​are destroyed along the way, and animals suffer.

“Joking” forms of violence against loved ones are practiced: spanking, pinching, painful jolts, which are extremely unpleasant for the victim and bring sadistic pleasure to the aggressor.

Another purely human form of physical aggression is sports competitions. It is believed that sports anger is one of the components of the qualities of a winner. How destructive this form of energy is is proven by the showdown between football fans after the next match.

Verbal attacks

Verbal expression of hostility is unique to humans and manifests itself in a wide variety of forms.

Conversation in a dismissive or commanding tone, raising your voice, unceremoniously interrupting a conversation leaves no doubt about the negative attitude of the interlocutor - this is direct and open aggression. This also includes insults, threats, obscene speech, screaming, and hysterical cries.

The use of humor: jokes, sarcasm, ridicule, banter - refers to a type of active indirect aggression. The father of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud, considered humor to symbolically destroy the enemy, and wit to be an outlet for hostility when there is no other way to express it. “Innocent” jokers can always blame the offended victim for lacking a sense of humor.

Trolling is active indirect aggression; trolls organize conflicts in the communication environment with the help of mocking remarks and provocative messages. Staying on the sidelines, they watch with pleasure how, through their fault, forum participants insult each other.

aggression

Causes of aggression

The main cause of aggression is the conflict between a person’s vital needs and an obstacle to their satisfaction. Each individual reacts to this conflict in his own way, depending on how much external circumstances influence his inner world. There are several theories explaining the appearance of aggressiveness in people.

1 Aggression is a natural instinct, a biological mechanism for protecting the living space of an individual. Indeed, the central nervous system contains certain centers for receiving stressful information and developing response actions. The release of “fear” and “rage” hormones into the blood provides the body with a fighting spirit.

2 Aggression is a reaction to frustration (disappointment from the fact that it is impossible to satisfy a significant need). Frustration is accompanied by a whole complex of negative emotions: irritation, malice, anger, despair, anxiety. They are a “breeding ground” for aggressive actions.

3 Aggression is the result of social experience. A child who grows up in an aggressive environment adopts the behavior model of his parents. The successful use of physical force (he took a toy from one neighbor and gave it back to another) arouses the approval of others. Aggression is promoted by the media, consolidated in fashionable martial arts sections - and becomes the main tool for solving life's problems.

4 Aggression is the result of unfavorable natural conditions: heat or prolonged cold, dirty air and stuffiness, noise and crowded conditions - negatively affect the physical and mental state of people, cause irritation, and, as a result, attacks on others.

The most common motives for aggressive behavior are hurt pride, reluctance to accept someone’s attentions, an act that causes sharp rejection, or an unexpected obstacle to the implementation of cherished plans. All these are triggers that give vent to accumulated irritation.

Causes of aggressiveness

Personal characteristics that influence the development of a person’s aggressiveness are as follows:

- tendency to impulsiveness;

- thoughtfulness, absent-mindedness;

- emotional sensitivity, as well as a feeling of vulnerability, dissatisfaction, discomfort;

— hostile attribution, which refers to the assessment and interpretation of intentions and actions as aggressive.

Aggression in people is observed in a number of nervous and mental disorders.

The reasons for a person’s aggressiveness are: various kinds of conflicts, intimate problems, abuse of alcohol, psychotropic drugs, narcotic drugs, unsettled personal life, personal problems, feelings of loneliness, mental trauma, strict upbringing, watching thrillers, overwork, and refusal to rest.

The term “aggressive” in relation to athletes began to be used as a characteristic that means persistence in overcoming obstacles, as well as activity in achieving set goals.

Personal factors of increased aggressiveness

It is important to discover problems at the root of aggressive behavior that a person cannot understand without outside help.

Dissatisfaction with life status. A person who, for example, has natural talent, but has not developed it in time, is doomed to eternal dissatisfaction with life, work, and his environment. He sees himself as worthy of a better life, despises his loved ones, and takes out his anger on them.

Fears and phobias that were not overcome in childhood. Fear is an individual’s experience associated with a threat to his existence. A person who is afraid of everything is almost always in a state of stress - in combat readiness for aggressive actions.

Development crises, reluctance to change. Aggressive energy is a natural mechanism for overcoming obstacles and moving forward. A person who has stopped in his development is inclined to become a parasite, to live at the expense of close people. He reacts aggressively to any reproaches addressed to him and perceives them as an attack on freedom.

Life style. The following people have an increased level of aggressiveness: workaholics who work extremely hard and neglect rest; smokers (especially in the absence of cigarettes); alcoholics (in a state of intoxication, during abstinence).

Upbringing. Aggression is rooted in childhood, in the mistakes of family upbringing. Lack of warmth, respect, freedom for self-realization are the main reasons for future dissatisfaction with life. Manifestations of child aggression are a signal for parents. They must understand in time what important need their child cannot satisfy and help him solve the problem.

“Our first priority is to see frustration in children’s aggression. Children should cry not in a corner, abandoned by everyone, but in loving hands.” G. Neufeld

Aggression and aggressiveness

At the moment, there is some uncertainty about the concepts of “aggression” and “aggressiveness”. This is due, first of all, to the fact that at the initial stage of the formation of the problem of studying aggressive human behavior, these terms were used as synonyms. Then, as socio-psychological knowledge about the phenomenon of human aggression expanded, the boundaries between the concepts of “aggression” and “aggressiveness” began to be defined and a certain system of relations between them was fixed. At the moment, aggression as a psychological phenomenon acts as a broader concept in relation to the concept of “aggression,” which is directly revealed through the understanding of aggression as a psychological phenomenon.

The second problem that can be traced as a result of studying the literature on the problem of aggressiveness is the problem of determining the content of the concepts “aggression” and “aggressiveness”.

The term "aggression" implies a wide variety of actions. When people characterize someone as aggressive, they may say that he habitually insults others, or that he is often unfriendly, or that he, although quite strong, tries to do things his own way, or perhaps that he is a strong advocate. his beliefs, or, perhaps, without fear he rushes into the maelstrom of insoluble problems. That is, all manifestations of aggression are associated with another person and are realized in the form of a behavioral act, since it manifests itself primarily in the form of activity.

Some American researchers of aggression note that in order to judge the aggressiveness of an act, it is necessary to know its motives and how it is experienced. However, the legitimacy of including its motivational characteristics in the concept of “aggression” raises serious doubts among some researchers.

Most often, aggression is considered as a form of behavior in which aggressiveness is realized (A. Bass, A. Yakubik, A.V. Petrovsky, M.G. Yaroshevsky, L. Berkowitz, etc.), or as an attitude towards dominance (Morrison ), or as an individual’s reaction to the surrounding reality that is hostile to a person (Horney, Fromm).

A.A. Rean identifies two global polar points of view on the phenomenon of aggression:

1. The ethical-humanistic approach considers aggression as behavior that contradicts the positive essence of people. In the human sciences, this approach is represented in humanistic psychology, existential and humanistic philosophy, as well as in pedagogical concepts based on them. According to A.A. Rean, this point of view goes back to the tradition of Christian teaching;
2. The evolutionary-genetic approach considers aggression as an instinct that, together with other instincts, serves to preserve life. Within this approach, the phenomenon of aggression is considered a condition for its survival and adaptation.

Most modern psychological theories of aggression belong to the second point of view. Thus, Z. Freud (psychoanalytic approach), K. Lorenz (ethological approach), R. Hardy (hunting hypothesis) considered aggression as “an integral and natural side of the personality, which can be weakened by directing instinct in a socially acceptable direction.” Although each of these approaches has its own point of view on the causes of aggressive behavior: S. Freud believed that the source of human aggression is the individual’s transference of the energy of the primitive death drive from himself to external objects. K. Lorenz viewed aggression as adaptive rather than self-destructive behavior. Ardrey argued that thanks to natural selection, a new species of man appeared - the hunter: “We attacked so as not to starve. We ignored the dangers, otherwise we would have ceased to exist. We have adapted to hunting anatomically and physiologically.” This hunting “nature” is the basis of human aggressiveness.

Within the framework of the frustration approach (J. Dollard, L. Doob, N. Miller, O. Maurer and R. Sears, S. Rosenzweig, L. Berkowitz), aggression was considered as a reaction to a situation of frustration. Researchers in this direction proceeded from the fact that all aggression stems from frustration - blocking a given goal - and any frustration sooner or later leads to a direct or hidden form of aggression. Aggression can be expressed directly towards the source of frustration or shifted towards another person or object. Subsequently, L. Berkowitz, knowing that in its original form the theory exaggerates the importance of connection and frustration, put forward the assumption that frustration causes anger and an emotional readiness to react aggressively. Bitterness grows when the one who caused you frustration had the opportunity not to perform the frustrating action. In addition, frustration is not a consequence of deprivation as such, as was considered at the beginning, but arises as a result of a deep discrepancy between the level of demands and the level of actual achievements of the individual.

Social learning theory (A. Bandura) defines aggression as “social behavior that manifests itself under certain conditions in the presence of skills for such behavior acquired in the learning process.” According to this theory, both our own experience and observation of the successes of others sometimes convincingly demonstrate to us that aggression brings certain benefits.

Thus, most researchers of various directions in the study of aggression and human aggressiveness, first of all, agree on the understanding of aggression as a behavioral act.

Features of male aggression

The specificity of male aggressiveness is explained by the action of hormones and behavioral stereotypes determined by the role of men in society. The male hormone testosterone ensures a man's sexual activity, as well as his physical superiority. It is easier for a man to decide on open aggression - he has enough energy and strength for this.

In addition, from childhood, boys learn about their social role as defenders of the family and the state. Constant fights and showdowns “who is stronger?” - a common occurrence among little men: they learn to attack, fight with the offender, and defend their rights.

One of the basic needs in men's lives is self-realization. If they have a social status that does not correspond to their needs, this inevitably leads to an increase in their aggressiveness. Anyone who has failed to assert himself at work tries to prove his worth by demonstrating physical strength. This mainly happens in the family. The most common types of male aggression are family, alcohol, and drugs.

There are several signs that help you see a future family despot in your chosen one:

he tastefully describes fights and scenes of violence, looks for the culprits of failure in everyone except himself, is very jealous and allows himself outbursts of rage, is indifferent and even cruel to children and animals

The family aggressor, reproaching his wife for all serious crimes, lists exactly those facts of which he himself is guilty

Manifestations of aggression in women

As the weaker sex, women suppress their aggression towards men, but take it out on children. That's why so many adult children are offended, first of all, by their mothers. Often women show aggression for emotional release, not wanting to harm anyone: screaming at the limit, crying bitterly, hysterics - all in order to be heard.

But this behavior irritates the man, scares the children - and the woman is left alone with her problems. Women's aggressiveness, more than men's, depends on hormonal levels; its outbreaks are caused by hormonal changes: PMS, pregnancy, lactation, menopause.

The birth of a child sharply increases the physical and mental stress on the female body. She becomes desperate because she does not have personal time and becomes irritable, taking out her anger on the child.

The reasons for children's aggressiveness directly depend on family relationships. “There is a direct connection between punishments, reprimands, lack of rewards, on the one hand, and parental attitudes towards rejection of the child as a whole, on the other.” A. Bandura, American psychologist

Aggression in women

Women use psychological implicit aggression; they worry about the resistance that the victim may provide. Aggression in women is observed during outbursts of anger to relieve nervous and mental tension.

Increased aggressiveness is observed in older women and is explained by manifestations of dementia in the absence of other negative character traits and reasons for such behavior. Increased aggressiveness in women is characterized by a change in character traits in a negative direction.

Aggression in women is provoked by the following factors:

- hormonal, congenital deficiency, provoked by pathology in early development;

- negative emotional experiences from childhood (abuse, sexual violence);

— mental pathologies (schizophrenia);

- hostile relationships with the mother, as well as childhood mental trauma.

Features of aggression in children and adolescents

The main reasons for people's aggressiveness are rooted in childhood.

With the help of aggression, the child got what he wanted: he took away a cherished toy, drove someone away from a convenient place - the model of aggressive behavior was successfully consolidated in the mind.

The tough behavior of significant people: relatives, teachers, older peers became role models.

The child got used to responding to injustice towards himself with aggression: calling him names, fighting, biting.

Receiving little attention from their parents, children try to attract attention to themselves through aggression.

Patterns of aggressive behavior are fixed on a subconscious level - in the future the child will use them automatically. Thus, a 4-year-old girl showed her aggression by digging her nails into her opponent’s skin with a fierce face, without letting go. It turned out that at the age of two she had to take a toy away from a cat, and the cat scratched her. The girl learned this method of protection and began to actively use it.

Children begin to consciously achieve what they want through aggressive behavior at the age of 2: they bite, throw tantrums, throw toys. By the age of 4, children already control their actions, monitor the reactions of others - whether this or that method of aggression will be successful. At the age of 5 years, a division occurs into male and female methods of aggression. Boys assert themselves through physical attack: fighting, pushing. Girls switch to verbal forms: calling names, ridiculing, threatening.

Younger schoolchildren show aggression spontaneously, in situations where they fail at something. Here it is important to monitor who the aggression is directed at and what are its reasons. Attacks on parents occur due to lack of attention or, conversely, as a protest against restrictions on freedom. Fights with peers indicate a desire to assert oneself and become a leader. Aggression against teachers is a protest against the rules of school life. Without the timely influence of parents, the aggressiveness of younger schoolchildren can turn from a way of emotional release into a character trait.

Destructive aggression

Variety of aggression

4. Destructive aggression

Since we usually think of aggression as destructive, in order to illustrate it, it will be enough for me to give a few personal examples. I was scheduled to speak at a conference of young administrators of the American Telephone and Telegraph Corporation (ATT). This conference was part of a six-week training course held on a college campus in New England and, I believed, was an expression of ATT's humanistic interest. I have spoken at such conferences before, and the results brought me satisfaction.

However, to my surprise and some bewilderment, my speech encountered strange invisible barriers. I have always been convinced of the truth of Walt Whitman's statement that “the audience makes the speech.” This audience seemed alive and fresh, but no matter how hard I tried, I could not convey my main ideas. During the break, I learned that this portion of the training had trained these young administrators (who were being evaluated for possible promotion to several senior corporate positions) to be “aggressive,” and that ATT had brought in a couple of college professors to evaluate the people on how effective they were. they can “pick holes” in the arguments presented. What I was really confronted with was not an audience that wanted to learn, or even a group that met for pleasure or intellectual simulation. Its goal was completely different: the audience did not listen to what I was saying, but looked for errors, weaknesses in argumentation. It was, in short, a sophistical form of listening aimed at cutting off the speaker. This aggression had a significant competitive reward, namely, promotion to the top office.

This is an example of lack of communication. Such an attitude will successfully suppress any speaker; you can't put forward your ideas if you don't feel like they're at least being heard. This does not mean that they will be agreed with; but this means they will be listened to for their inner merits. If I knew the purpose of this audience, I could simply change the topic of my talk and talk about aggression, its purpose and effect, then at least there would be communication between us.

5. Constructive aggression

The next example, this time of constructive aggression, comes from a glorious and inspiring chapter of American history that also has striking parallels in today's situation—the abolitionist movements of the decades immediately preceding the Civil War. I will focus on four men who were prominent in the movement: Wendell Phillips, William Lloyd Garrison, James Gillespie Burney, and Theodore D. Weld. No serious person will doubt that the main effect of the abolitionist movement was constructive. It is even possible that if it had been more successful, the Civil War, with its inevitable suffering, could have been prevented.

These people fit our definition of aggression very well. They actively operated on the territory of others (slaves were sacred as private property) to effect a restructuring of power. Their activity was characterized by great conflict, both internal and external, the latter posing a constant threat to their lives and health.

In their youth, these people seemed very unlikely candidates for the role of examples of the deep-seated aggression associated later with their actions against slavery. Wendell Phillips lived the typical life of a Boston Brahmin of his day, earning a law degree from Harvard; William Lloyd Garrison was initially interested in writing and politics; for the first time the name of Theodore Veld appears as a teacher of the art of improving memory; James Burney was twice expelled from Princeton for drunkenness, although he was reinstated and graduated with honors, eventually becoming a planter and living as a young Southern aristocrat, drinking and gambling to excess. What characteristics of these people determined that their aggression should have been constructive rather than destructive (as, for example, John Brown)?

When we look back at their childhood, it turns out that each of them was loved by their parents. I am convinced that this is of decisive importance for understanding the constructive nature of aggression. When a person is not loved, or love for him is unstable, or his mother or father themselves are extremely unsure of themselves, this forms in his subsequent aggression the desire to take revenge on the world, the need to destroy the world for others to the same extent that it is not good for him.

Each of them had - and we must admit that this begins in early childhood - a deep sympathy for others, which later took the concrete form of sympathy for slaves and the persecuted. Garrison and Weld were involved in the black compassion movement. Bernie wrote: “It is difficult to say what everyone’s duty to poor creatures is, but I have dedicated my soul to one thing: I will not allow any of them to be treated cruelly.” Phillips first became involved in the abolitionist movement after a mob killed his fellow abolitionist Elijah P. Lovejoy, and later joined the movement when he saw a mob threatening Garrison's life. Subsequently, his motivation was slightly different from that of others: he was extremely offended by the fact that such disregard for civil liberties could occur in his beloved Boston.

The physical courage of these four, necessitated by the constant threat of mob violence, withstood the deepest tests. For the kind of aggression with which they had to act, they had to have the ability to take risks, to exist on the limit. All four had an inexhaustible amount of energy as children, which took the form of vigorous play and fighting with peers. But their courage seemed more like their triumph over anxiety (which, if you really get right down to it, is what courage should be) rather than something they were born with. Harrison writes in a letter to a friend about his “knees shaking in anticipation” of a lecture he was to give at the Boston Learned Society, and a newspaper report of the day says that the audience could hardly hear him. But he recovered and gave a powerful speech about freeing the slaves. “Although Garrison suffered the least of the four abolitionists and did seem to enjoy the struggle, it would be a mistake to overlook the fear he felt on the countless occasions when his life was endangered by an angry mob.”

The civic courage required to do this is impressive. Bernie wrote that the pain of alienation from those “with whom we [walked] from Sunday to Sunday to the house of God - many of our close <...> relatives alienated from us, and a whole society <...> looking at you as the enemy of its peace , no small test.” In 1834, he wrote to Veld: “I have not a single assistant - not a single one from whom I could receive sympathy in this matter!” Again and again he faced the condemnation and threat of mob violence, and at the time believed “that if ever there should be a time for it, it is now, when our republic with its cause of universal freedom is in trouble, when all everything a patriot can risk must be put on the line for the sake of her liberation <…> [Men must] themselves die free, and not slaves, or our country, glorious in its hopes, will disappear forever.”

The opposition they encountered served to strengthen their conviction. Harrison responded by increasing aggression and closer identification with blacks. He wrote emphatically:

I realize that many people do not like the harshness of my language, but is there no reason for harshness? I will be harsh as truth and uncompromising as justice. On this subject I do not wish to think, or speak, or write with restraint. No no! Tell the man whose house is on fire to raise the alarm with restraint; tell him to be discreet in rescuing his wife from the hands of her rapists; tell the mother to gradually carry her child out of the fire into which he has fallen; but don't force me to use restraint on occasions such as these! I am serious. I will not wag - I will not forgive - I will not give an inch - AND I WILL BE HEARD. The apathy of the people is enough to make every statue jump off its pedestal and hasten the resurrection of the dead.

No sentient person can withstand such prolonged aggressive activity without seriously doubting from time to time the correctness of his position. Bernie's period of doubt and indecision concerns us especially because it is associated with typical modern anxiety. He was constantly afraid that his decisions would have too much impact on the senses, trying all the time to convince others with the help of reason, as well as himself: “When I remember how calmly and dispassionately my mind moves from truth to truth in relation to this subject [i.e. e. slavery], and even higher, I feel satisfaction that my conclusions are not the fruits of enthusiasm.” Later he despaired that the South could be conquered by reason. Despite his failing health, he came to New York to serve as secretary of the American Anti-Slavery Society. It is very interesting that he, who relied on reason, became disillusioned with the demand for gradualism in the abolition of slavery before his death in 1857: “When or how it [slavery] will end, I must say, I do not see.”

Constructive aggression entails suffering, as well as internal conflict. Suffering from the fact that the dedication caused by the situation is responsible for involving more and more participants in it. Prominent Bostonians became enraged when the mob threatened Garrison's life. Dr. Henry Ingersoll Bowditch, a famous physician, wrote: “It has now come to the point that a man cannot speak of slavery within the boundaries of Fanoyle Hall.” When Bowditch volunteered to help the city councilor, Samuel Eliot, who was standing nearby, put down the rioters, Eliot “on the contrary, hinted that the authorities, although not delighted with the crowd, were rather sympathetic ... to the desire to suppress the abolitionists by force. I was completely discouraged, and I swore with all my heart, as soon as I left him in utter disgust: “From this very moment I am an abolitionist.”

The role of the force of law and order during this period presents a sad picture, as it does in our time. It reveals a truth that we know but, for the sake of our peace of mind, try to forget. Not only were members of the government secretly provoking violence by their sympathy for him, as we saw above, but there also took place an incident whose image can be multiplied a thousandfold: the good people of Boston watched, in shame and helplessness, as a former slave was taken by force, only to be carried away again into slavery while their own militia stood guard. In fact, many of those who considered abolitionists to be daredevils and empty talkers changed their minds after witnessing incidents such as this.

The aggression of the abolitionists successfully served its main purpose - to combat the apathy that always arises in times of anxiety and guilt. The anxiety was caused by the shift in layers of society during this historical period; Guilt for slavery was felt even among the southerners themselves. But the abolitionists did not allow people to fall into apathy. They continued to excite the population and did not allow people's conscience to fall asleep.

These four men had a powerful grievance - the inhumane nature of slavery. They also had a powerful goal at stake—the opportunity to right a wrong. While destructive aggression sometimes contains only the former, constructive aggression must contain both. Unlike self-assertion and assertion of one's rights, aggression arises because the opposition has been so persistent and the apathy and inertia so strong that great force is required to initiate effective action. It is in the nature of any society to protect the status quo, and aggression from time to time erupts into violence, not only because of the blind rage of the crowds, but also because of the actions of the police and militia on the side of “law and order.”

It is inspiring to see how each of these four men found their individual strength, not present initially, and transcended themselves through their own effort, bringing the power of their eloquence and their example to stand in the face of opposition. In such self-transcendence there is often an experience of ecstasy, which we will describe in the next chapter.

Variety of aggression

Information about the work “Aggression by R. May (chapter from the book Strength and Innocence)”

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How to deal with an aggressive person

The main task in communicating with an aggressive person is to avoid conflict and not succumb to provocation. It’s good to go on the defensive - if possible, silently leave the room or at least remain completely silent. Let the aggressor speak out. The decisive factor in this case will be the attitude with which you will have to listen to insults addressed to you. You need to know for sure: the aggressor is an unhappy person, problems tear him apart, causing the release of negative energy.

Under no circumstances should you respond with anger to anger, or rudeness to rudeness. You should not engage in conversation until the unfortunate person has let off all the steam. After this, you should politely ask him not to talk to you in this manner anymore. At the same time, use body language: stay as straight as possible, look your interlocutor straight in the eyes, emphasizing with your entire appearance that you have no fear of him, but you are not going to offend him either. In the end, each of us has the right to make mistakes.

“Rudeness as a response to an insult indicates weakness of character; rudeness as a habitual behavior is about spiritual poverty; rudeness for the purpose of insult and humiliation is a moral defect.” Refat Shakir-Aliyev, psychiatrist

Methods of dealing with one's own aggressiveness

Each of us has encountered irritation growing in our souls, ready to spill out at the first opportunity. You can free yourself from internal aggression through awareness of its causes and getting rid of negative experiences.

Five steps to understanding

The first thing to do is to understand and forgive yourself in this state.

understand the emotions that will lead or have already led to the conflict, what thoughts arose during the conflict in relation to its participants, what needs should have been realized, analyze all the negative sides of what is happening, see the positive sides

An honest analysis of the situation is the most constructive way to relieve aggression within yourself.

When you need humor

Only those who know their worth can laugh at themselves; they have a greater chance of making their life successful. He does not dwell on his failures and failures. To work on your mistakes is to talk about them with humor. People will appreciate your courage and self-criticism and will be willing to learn from your mistakes. So it’s worth finding the funny sides in your aggressive state and laughing at it.

Active movement

Playing sports will help you cope with aggressive thoughts. Regular physical activity is a good energy release. There will be no strength left for negative emotions.

Jogging and exercise in the fitness room, cycling and tennis will help. Walking and forays into nature can have a calming effect. Perhaps nature will help you take a fresh look at the conflict situation. The main thing is not to sit cooped up, open yourself to new experiences.

Math clears your mind

Arithmetic exercise has helped many people cope with irritation and anxiety. You need to slowly count to yourself to ten. Then, slowly, count in the opposite direction - to one.

You can add three-digit numbers in your mind, multiply two-digit ones - as long as the left hemisphere of the brain is busy with work. At this time, the right hemisphere will not work - and it is responsible for the emotional state of a person.

While you are counting, aggressiveness will simply turn off. And the more difficult the work of the left hemisphere is, the more the emotions that feed aggressiveness will weaken.

Features of aggression in different sexes

Treatment of aggression in women is required only in some cases. After all, by her psychological nature, a woman is more emotional, sensual and has a greater capacity for empathy than a man. This is the reason for periodic outbursts of anger - this is how psychological relaxation occurs, stress relief, and getting rid of negative emotions. In addition, the hormonal changes that the female body experiences every month can have a significant impact.

However, if negative behavior persists for a long time, goes beyond accepted norms of behavior, or takes on socially dangerous traits, it is necessary to contact a specialist who will prescribe treatment for attacks of aggression in women.

As for men, for them aggression is a pattern of behavior “recorded” at the genetic level. After all, thanks to her, our ancestors achieved their goals, survived and continued their family line. However, there are a number of factors that may lead to the need to prescribe treatment for aggression in men:

• alcoholism;
• nicotine addiction;
• addiction;
• changes in hormonal levels (excess testosterone or, conversely, male menopause - andropause).

In such cases, qualified medical treatment of outbursts of anger in men is necessary, because without outside help such conditions do not go away, but on the contrary develop into more severe forms that are dangerous to human life and health.

Treatment of aggression

To combat aggressive outbursts, you will have to consult a psychotherapist. He will correct your behavior and teach you how to control anger and negative emotions. You will need to reconsider your attitude towards life situations and learn to perceive them correctly.

Pathological manifestations of aggression: fits of rage, violent and destructive acts require the intervention of a psychiatrist who will prescribe medication.

Neuroleptics - used to stop attacks of aggression. Their action enhances the processes of inhibition of the central nervous system.

Normalizers - used for long-term treatment. They balance the processes of inhibition and excitation and regulate mood.

Nootropics are used to strengthen the psyche and improve brain function.

Plant-based sedatives - valerian, St. John's wort, motherwort - have a mild sedative effect on the nervous system.

Essential oils of lavender, ylang-ylang, mint, and lemon balm will help improve sleep and ensure good relaxation.

Do not self-medicate or use strong psychotropic drugs that have serious side effects.

* * *

Aggressiveness is a property inherited from the animal world. Animal behavior researcher K. Lorenz considered aggression to be a time bomb operating in our brain.

To master this destructive gift of nature, great art is needed. After all, along with physical needs, a person needs love and respect, freedom for self-expression.