Psychology 3720F/G Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Konrad Lorenz, Fighting Instinct, Stuffed Toy

• School: Western University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: Psychology 3720F/G
• Professor: Doug Hazlewood

Document Summary

Instinct theories: neurological basis, genetic influences, abnormal sex chromosomes, sex differences. Oldest biological view of aggression: sigmund freud, early writings: all human behavior stems from eros (the life instinct ) Energy motivates humans to preserve and reproduce themselves. Aggression occurs when libidinal energy is blocked (so, it"s not inevitable) Reflects an unconscious desire to escape from the tensions of livingby becoming dead. Side note: something else must be present because everyone would just kill everyone else to achieve this desire for death/stillness. So the energy of thanatos must be re-directed away from the self sets the stage for aggression towards others. So freud"s later writing are very dark and pessimistic. Simply put: we can save our own lives only by attacking others. The safe expression of aggression could bring about a discharge of thanatos and reduce the likelihood of subsequent aggression.