SOC 104 Chapter Notes - Chapter 10: Santa Barbara City College
Document Summary
This chapter looked at how social psychologists understand aggression and violence against humans. These actions surround us daily and cause many people much pain. We"ve seen how social psychologists are studying aggression, their understanding of why it"s happening, and how we might try to reduce it. You may have been surprised that social psychologists think aggression is primarily a matter of self-concern. Although violence is intended to harm others, this is not usually the underlying purpose or cause of the violence. Violence is more about and threat to self. For example, when we feel bad about ourselves when we feel our status is being threatened or when we experience other negative emotions, we react violently. But because you"re thinking like a social psychologist, you"ll realize how important the concept of yourself is so important, indeed, that threats to it can result in acts of extreme violence. Recent school shootings in the u. s. and in other countries.
