Aggression Debate- Action Plan

Group members: Phoebus, Melody, Roshni

1. General Overview of debate
Research question: How can we explain aggression?
Our Stance: Nature is the primary cause of aggression
My role within the debate:
Presenter: Summarizes the theory for the class
Summarizer: Summarizes the arguments for the class and makes final rebuttals.
Arguments that the debaters will discuss:
-Evolution as a catalyst for aggression (the survival instinct)- Melody
-Genetics as a role in aggression (can link to evolution- aggression from previous generations
inherited as a result of wanting to survive) - Roshni
-Chemicals as a catalyst for aggression (again, can link to genetics)- Phoebus
2. What are my criteria (points to cover) in this debate?
As a presenter:
- Provide an interesting hook to grab the audiences attention.
- Relate the theory to the research question.
- Define aggression in a way that will sway the audience towards nature as the cause of aggression.
- Provide overview on general theory of the debate.
- List broad, persuasive points.
-(If possible/ if second group to speak) Rebut the first presenters definition of aggression so that it
appeals more to the nature side of arguments
As a summarizer:
-Rebut final points made by opposite team
-Provide a clear and concise summary of the arguments being discussed in the debate.
-Provide explanations on why the following points are important.
- Find an interesting way to end the debate that seals all three points together and leaves an
impression on the audience
3. Notes for debate:
Presenter:
Hook/Attention Grabber:
There is one question that psychologists have struggled to answer throughout the years: How can
we explain aggression?
-Some believe nurture, some believe nature.
-Aggression has appeared in all different parts of history (Roman, 1960s discrimination,
now),throughout all different kinds of circumstances, in different forms
Accept or reject the definition (if 2nd speaker): because of this, external factors do not take account
all members of society, therefore internal factors have an effect/are instrumental in causing
aggression.
Basic Information:
-Merriam Webster definition: a forceful action or procedure, intended to dominate or master
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-Aggression is defined as any behavior directed to a certain individual (whether it is towards others
or oneself) with the general intention to cause harm.
-The aforementioned behavior can take many forms- physical, verbal, direct, passive.
-Present team line: Aggression is caused by nature as a biological response for survival.
-(If first speaker) external factors do not take account all members of society, therefore internal
factors have an effect/are instrumental in causing aggression.
-Our main goal as species-continue our bloodline, and nature has programmed us with certain
aspects that cause us to be aggressive.
-In the following debate, we will discuss natures role in aggression through the survival instinct,
genetics and the chemical makeup of our body.
Summarizer:
Hook/Attention Grabber:
Rebuttal here: SEE BELOW.
Basic Information:
-Transition: Therefore, nature as a reasoning for aggression remains the more valid of the two
arguments.
-Survival instinct causes aggression: history + nature shows how it protects us from harm, and helps
us create stronger members of society.
-Genetics causes aggression: some people are more aggressive than others for various reasons e.g.
an extra X or Y chromosome can make you more aggressive- possible response to survival instinct.
-Chemicals also cause aggression: high levels of testosterone and low levels of serotonin make
people more aggressive, and these levels are often dictated by genetics.
Through this, it becomes evident that aggression is a product of nature as a response in order for
humans to survive, and that while external factors may have an affect on this, it is largely a
biological phenomenon.
4. Rebuttals- points that can be raised.
Guide: You have to show why the other side is wrong. This is best done by taking a main point of
the other side's argument and showing that it does not make sense. Also, try to rebut the most
important points of the other side's case.
Begin with: First, Id like to address a few issues with what youve said. While I can
understand......however, there are a few flaws in this argument.
Media is a cause of aggression/exposure to images of violence:
- People attracted to violence/ have an aggressive personality will naturally gravitate to more
violent games/programs- their affinity towards aggression is not a result of the media they absorb,
but rather their choice of media is a reflection of personality.
- You have to consider the large amounts of people consume violent media and yet are not prone to
aggression- this argument does not in account the majority.
- Therefore, people that commit aggression must have a separate reasoning for it, stemming back to
nature as its cause. (also can apply to influence of peers, family life and neighborhood factors)
Frustration/Aggression Theory (also applies to environmental factors):
-Frustration doesnt always lead to aggression, and aggression is not always the result of frustration.
-Frustration only leads to aggression when it is seen as malicious or intended to cause harm- is a
result of a protective instinct, leading back into the survival instinct as a reason for aggression.
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Social learning theory:
-(ref. Bobo doll experiment) Critics argue that children were manipulated into behaving
aggressively rather than through example.
-The experiment was under a very artificial circumstance- would not happen in real life and does
not reflect reality accurately.
-Aggression can be seen as playfighting, as the doll did not resemble a human greatly. In the event
of a real child/human replacing the doll, it is unlikely the results would be replicated. (note- this
argument may be weaker as it does not have any connections to how nature relates to this, may be
better to avoid if possible)
-Completely disregards an individuals biological state- is a depersonalized theory and not effective.
5. Bibliography
References
1. Aggression [Def. 1]. (n.d.). In Merriam-Webster. Retrieved September 28, 2013, from http://
www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aggression
2. Aggression. (2007). In World of Health. Gale. Retrieved from http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/suic/
ReferenceDetailsPage/ReferenceDetailsWindow?query=&prodId=SUIC&displ...
3. Aggressive behaviour. (2013). In Encyclopdia Britannica. Retrieved from http://
global.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/9093/aggressive-behaviour/
4. Anderson, C., & Bushman, B. (2002). Human Aggression [Scholarly project]. Retrieved from
http://www.psychology.iastate.edu/faculty/caa/abstracts/2000-2004/02AB.pdf
5. Beck, H. (2011, August 20). An Ethological Analysis of Aggression. Skip Beck's Social
Psychology Course. Retrieved from http://www1.appstate.edu/~beckhp/aggethology.htm
6. Boundless. (n.d.). Critiquing the Social-Cultural Perspective. Retrieved from https://
www.boundless.com/psychology/personality/social-cognitive-perspective/critiquing-the-social-
cultural-perspective/
7. Dennen, J. (n.d.). Psychoanalytic Theories of Aggression. Psychoanalytic Theories of
Aggression. Retrieved from http://rint.rechten.rug.nl/rth/dennen/a-panal.htm
8. Drumwright, B. (2009). Criticisms on the social learning theory. Retrieved from http://
www.bdrum.com/Bandura/Criticisms.htm
9. Drumwright, B. (2009). Criticisms on the social learning theory. Retrieved from http://
www.bdrum.com/Bandura/Criticisms.htm
10. Ferguson, T., & Eyre, H. (1999). Aggression. Utau State University. Retrieved from http://
www.usu.edu/psy3510/aggression.html
11. Oxford Dictionaries. (n.d.). Definition of aggression in English. Aggression: Definition of
Aggression in Oxford Dictionary (British & World English). Retrieved from http://
oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/aggression
12. Personality. (2013). In Encyclopdia Britannica. Retrieved from http://school.ebonline.com/
levels/high/article/108533#36151.toc
Hayley Wu 10.6
13. Rummel, R. (n.d.). Aggression and the Conflict Helix. Understanding Conflict and War: Vol. 3:
Conflict in Perspective. Retrieved from http://hawaii.edu/powerkills/CIP.CHAP2.HTM
14. Samenow, S. (2012, February 24). Watching violence in the media does not cause crime.
Psychology Today. Retrieved from http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/inside-the-criminal-
mind/201202/watching-violence-in-the-media-does-not-cause-crime
15. Skills You Need. (n.d.). Dealing with Aggression. Skills You Need. Retrieved from http://
www.skillsyouneed.com/ps/dealing-with-aggression.html
16. The Student Room. (n.d.). Revision:Bandura and Social Learning Theory. The Student Room
RSS. Retrieved from http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/
Revision:Bandura_and_Social_Learning_Theory
Hayley Wu 10.6