Question 1

In the context of aggression, which of the following statements is true?
A) Twin studies indicate that aggression is never genetic.
B) A single spot in the brain controls aggression.
C) Alcohol enhances aggressiveness.
D) Aggression is typically caused by brain damage.

Accepted Answer

Research has consistently shown that consumption of alcohol increases aggression in both humans and animals. In fact, alcohol is considered one of the most reliable predictors of aggression. A and D are false, as there is evidence that genetics and brain damage can play a role in aggression. B is also false, as there is no single spot in the brain that controls aggression.

Question 2

_____ aggression aims to hurt only as a means to some other end.
A) Manipulative
B) Duplicitous
C) Hostile
D) Instrumental

Accepted Answer

Instrumental aggression is a type of aggression where the aim is to hurt someone else as a means to an end, such as achieving a goal or getting something one wants. This type of aggression is different from hostile aggression, which is motivated by anger, frustration, or a desire to harm someone else.

Question 3

Which of the following is the best example of instrumental aggression?
A) An angry football player tackles a quarterback after he attempts a long pass.
B) A wife finds her husband with another woman and shoots them both.
C) A group of mercenaries, hired to kill the dictator of a small country, arrange to poison him.
D) A man smashes his TV set after he cannot get it to work.

Accepted Answer

Instrumental aggression is goal-oriented and used as a means to an end. In this case, the mercenaries are using aggression (poisoning) to achieve a specific goal (killing the dictator).

Question 4

Sigmund Freud argued that aggression ultimately springs from
A) an innate sexual drive.
B) a self-destructive impulse.
C) observation of aggressive adult models.
D) blocking of goal-directed behavior.

Accepted Answer

Freud believed that aggression stems from a self-destructive impulse, which he referred to as the death drive or Thanatos, contrasting with the life drive, Eros.

Question 5

The study of neural influences on aggression has indicated that
A) one specific region of the brain controls aggression.
B) activating the amygdala can facilitate aggressive outbursts in humans.
C) activating the occipital lobe can cause a tyrant monkey to be more docile.
D) activating the frontal lobe can trigger aggressive behavior.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that activating the amygdala, a region of the brain associated with emotional processing, can facilitate aggressive outbursts in humans. However, there is no one specific region of the brain that solely controls aggression, and activating other regions such as the occipital lobe or frontal lobe may not necessarily trigger aggressive behavior.

Question 6

Instinct theories of aggression fails to account for
A) silent and social aggression in animals.
B) wide variations of aggressiveness from culture to culture.
C) biochemical influences on aggression.
D) unprovoked outbursts of aggression.

Accepted Answer

Instinct theories of aggression suggest that aggression is an innate behavior, but they do not explain the cultural differences in aggression levels, which are influenced by social and environmental factors.

Question 7

In contrast to Freud's view of aggression, Lorenz argued that aggression is
A) innate.
B) adaptive rather than self-destructive.
C) biologically influenced but not instinctive.
D) socially learned.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In contrast to Freud's view of aggression,...

Question 8

_____ aggression springs from anger, and its only goal is to injure.
A) Manipulative
B) Duplicitous
C) Hostile
D) Instrumental

Accepted Answer

Hostile aggression is characterized by a desire to harm or injure others and is usually driven by anger or frustration. It is different from instrumental aggression, which is characterized by a goal or purpose other than just causing harm. Manipulative and duplicitous aggression both involve deceit and manipulation rather than direct harm.

Question 9

Instinctive behavior is behavior that is
A) survival-oriented and common to most members of a species.
B) innate, unlearned, and shown by all members of a species.
C) reflexive and automatic but easily overcome by learning.
D) taught to members of a species.

Accepted Answer

Instinctive behavior is innate and unlearned, and is exhibited by all members of a species. It is also often survival-oriented and serves a specific purpose in the life of the animal.

Question 10

Physical or verbal behavior intended to cause harm is known as
A) aggression.
B) subjugation.
C) destruction.
D) frustration.

Accepted Answer

Aggression refers to behavior that is intended to cause harm or injury to another person, either physically or verbally. It can be an instinctive response to a threat or frustration, or it can be the result of learned behaviors and attitudes. Subjugation and destruction are related to aggression but are more specific in their meaning, while frustration can lead to aggression but is not always the cause of it.

Question 11

Most terrorism is considered _____ aggression.
A) manipulative
B) duplicitous
C) hostile
D) instrumental

Accepted Answer

Terrorism is often considered instrumental aggression because it is a deliberate and strategic use of violence to achieve political, social, or religious goals. It is not an emotional or impulsive act of aggression, but rather a calculated means of achieving a specific outcome. Manipulative, duplicitous, and hostile may also be used to describe some aspects of terrorism, but instrumental is the most appropriate term for the overall nature of terrorism.

Question 12

In 2003, American and British leaders justified attacking Iraq not as a hostile effort to kill Iraqis but as an act of liberation and of self-defense against presumed weapons of mass destruction. Social psychologists would consider this an example of _____ aggression.
A) manipulative
B) duplicitous
C) hostile
D) instrumental

Accepted Answer

This is an example of instrumental aggression because the justification for the attack was to achieve a specific goal (to remove presumed weapons of mass destruction), rather than a hostile intent to harm Iraqis.

Question 13

A study of brain activity in the prefrontal cortex of murderers found
A) no differences between these men and normal controls.
B) less activity than normal.
C) spikes in activity level.
D) more activity than normal.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that murderers often have less activity in the prefrontal cortex compared to normal controls, which is associated with impulse control and decision-making.

Question 14

Long-term studies of New Zealand children revealed that
A) "bad genes" cause aggressive behavior.
B) "bad environments" cause aggressive behavior.
C) neither genes nor environment is responsible for aggressive behavior.
D) the interaction of genes and the environment can cause aggressive behavior.

Accepted Answer

Long-term studies of New Zealand children have shown that the interaction of genes and the environment can lead to aggressive behavior. While genetics do play a role in temperament and personality, it is the environment and experiences that modulate expression of these genes. Children who are exposed to negative or abusive environments are more likely to exhibit aggressive behavior, and those with certain genetic variations may be even more susceptible to these effects. Similarly, children with positive and supportive environments may have the same genetic predispositions, but are less likely to display aggressive behavior due to a more nurturing environment. This highlights the importance of understanding gene-environment interactions in predicting and preventing aggressive behavior.

Question 15

Juanita is upset with Rose, so during a social gathering she verbally cuts Rose down in front of others. Juanita's behavior exemplifies
A) assertion.
B) manipulation.
C) aggression.
D) submission.

Accepted Answer

Juanita's behavior of verbally cutting Rose down in front of others is an act of aggression, as it is intended to harm Rose's reputation and cause emotional distress.

Question 16

Which theory is most susceptible to the criticism that it tries to explain aggression by naming it?
A) instrumental aggression theory
B) instinct theory
C) frustration-aggression theory
D) social-learning theory

Accepted Answer

The instinct theory suggests that aggression is an innate, biological drive that is present in all individuals. However, this theory is often criticized for simply naming aggression as an instinct without providing a clear explanation for why people engage in aggressive behavior.

Question 17

Which of the following is an example of aggression?
A) Sam accidentally slams the car door too quickly, and it hits Tim's knee.
B) Luisa urges her classmates not to vote for Marcy for dormitory senator, citing some rumors about Marcy's social life.
C) Carla, a dentist, delivers a shot of Novocain before pulling her patient's tooth.
D) Joe's eagerness and enthusiasm resulted in his being promoted to sales manager in a very short time.

Accepted Answer

Luisa is intentionally trying to harm Marcy's reputation by spreading rumors. This is an example of verbal aggression.

Answer: C
 Carla is intentionally causing the patient pain by administering a shot of Novocain before pulling the tooth. This is an example of physical aggression.

Therefore, the best choices are B and C as they both involve intentional harm to others.

Question 18

How intense and reactive we are in infancy reflects our
A) defense mechanisms.
B) aggressive instinct.
C) temperament.
D) social learning.

Accepted Answer

Infancy temperament refers to our innate tendencies and characteristics such as activity level, approach/withdrawal, and adaptability. It can influence our emotional reactions and how we interact with our environment. Defense mechanisms, aggressive instinct, and social learning develop later and are influenced by experiences and our environment.

Question 19

Most murders are considered _____ aggression.
A) manipulative
B) duplicitous
C) hostile
D) instrumental

Accepted Answer

Most murders are considered hostile aggression, which is characterized by impulsive, emotion-driven actions intended to harm someone.

Question 20

The death penalty does not effectively deter homicide. One reason for this is that most murders are the result of
A) hormonal influences.
B) hostile aggression.
C) instrumental aggression.
D) a malfunctioning amygdala.

Accepted Answer

According to research, most murders are the result of hostile aggression, which is impulsive and emotional in nature. The decision to commit murder is often not a rational one and therefore, the fear of the death penalty is unlikely to have a significant deterrent effect.

Quiz 10: Intelligence

In the context of aggression, which of the following statements is true?

_____ aggression aims to hurt only as a means to some other end.

Which of the following is the best example of instrumental aggression?

Sigmund Freud argued that aggression ultimately springs from

The study of neural influences on aggression has indicated that

Instinct theories of aggression fails to account for

In contrast to Freud's view of aggression, Lorenz argued that aggression is

_____ aggression springs from anger, and its only goal is to injure.

Instinctive behavior is behavior that is

Physical or verbal behavior intended to cause harm is known as

Most terrorism is considered _____ aggression.

In 2003, American and British leaders justified attacking Iraq not as a hostile effort to kill Iraqis but as an act of liberation and of self-defense against presumed weapons of mass destruction. Social psychologists would consider this an example of _____ aggression.

A study of brain activity in the prefrontal cortex of murderers found

Long-term studies of New Zealand children revealed that

Juanita is upset with Rose, so during a social gathering she verbally cuts Rose down in front of others. Juanita's behavior exemplifies

Which theory is most susceptible to the criticism that it tries to explain aggression by naming it?

Which of the following is an example of aggression?

How intense and reactive we are in infancy reflects our

Most murders are considered _____ aggression.

The death penalty does not effectively deter homicide. One reason for this is that most murders are the result of