Kamis, 08 Juli 2010

THEORIES OF AGGRESSION





Aggressive and violent behavior can be viewed along a continuum with verbal aggression at one end and physical violence at other end. Specific reasons for aggressive behavior vary from person to person. Anger occurs in response to a perceived threat. This may be a threat of physical injury or more often a threat to the self concept. When the self is threatened, people may not be entirely aware of the source of their anger. A threat may be internal or external. Examples of external stressors are physical attack, loss of a significant relationship and criticism from others. Internal stressors might include a sense of might include a sense of failure at work, perceived loss of love and fear of physical illness.

Anger is the only one emotional response to these stressors. Some people might respond with depression or withdrawal. However, those reactions are usually accompanied by anger which may be difficult for the person to express directly. Depression is sometimes viewed as anger directed towards the self, and withdrawal may also be a passive expression of anger. A number of theories on the development of aggressive behavior have influenced the treatment of violent patients. They can be categorized as psychological, socio cultural and biological.

1. PSYCHOLOGICAL THEORY

One psychological view of aggressive behavior suggests the importance of predisposing developmental or life experiences that limit the person's capacity to select nonviolent coping mechanisms. Some of these experiences may include:

  • Organic brain damage , mental retardation or learning disability, which impair the capacity to deal effectively with frustration.
  • Severe emotional deprivation or overt rejection in childhood, or parental seduction, which may contribute to defects in trust and self esteem.
  • Exposure to violence in formative years , either as a victim of child abuse or as an observer of family violence, which may instill a pattern of using violence as a way to cope

It has been also suggested that a disruption in the mother infant bonding process can lead to the development of poor interpersonal behavior that may increase the likelihood of violent behavior. When combined with neurological deficits, the risk of violent behavior is increased.

Social learning theory proposes that aggressive behavior is learned through the socialization process as a result of internal and external learning.

Internal learning occurs through the personal reinforcement received when enacting aggressive behavior. This may be the result of achieving a desired goal or experiencing feelings of importance, power and control.

External learning process occurs through the observation of role models such as parents, peers, siblings and sports and entertainment figures. Sociocultural patterns that lead to the imitation of aggressive behavior suggest that violence is an acceptable social status.

Activities such as violent crime, aggressive sports, and war depicted through the media or witnessed, in person reinforce aggressive behavior.

2. SOCIOCULTURAL THEORY

Social and cultural factors also may influence aggressive behavior. Cultural norms help to define acceptable and unacceptable means of expressing aggressive behavior feelings. Sanctions are applied to violators of the norms through the legal systems. By this means, society controls violent behavior and attempts to maintain a safe existence of its members. A cultural norm that supports verbally assertive expressions of anger will help people deal with anger in a healthy manner. A norm that reinforces violent behavior will result in physical expression of anger in destructive ways.

Social determinants of violence are:

  • Poverty and the inability to have basic necessities of life
  • Disruption of marriages
  • Production of single-parent families
  • Unemployment
  • Difficulty in maintaining interpersonal ties, family structure and social control.

3. BIOLOGICAL THEORY
Current biological research ahs focused on three areas of the brain believed to be involved in aggression:

  • Limbic system
  • Frontal lobes
  • Hypothalamus.

Neurotransmitters have also been suggested as having a role in the expression or expression of the aggressive behavior.

I. Limbic system

t is associated with the mediation of basic drives and the expression of human emotions and behaviors such as eating, aggression and sexual response. It is also involved in the processing of information and memory. Alterations in the functioning of limbic system may result in an increase or decrease in the potential for aggressive behavior. In particular, the amygdala, part of the limbic system, mediates the expression of the rage and fear.

II. Frontal lobe:

  • The frontal lobe plays an important role in mediating purposeful behavior and rational thinking.
  • They are the part of the brain where reason and emotion interact.
  • Damage to the frontal lobes can result in impaired judgment, personality changes, and problems in decision making, inappropriate conduct and aggressive outbursts.

III. Hypothalamus

It is situated at the base of the brain, is the brains alarm system. Stress raises the level of steroids, the hormones secreted by the adrenal glands. Nerve receptors for these hormones become less sensitive in an attempt to compensate and hypothalamus tells the pituitary glands to release more steroids. After repeated stimulation, the system may respond more vigorously to all provocations. That may be one reason why traumatic stress in childhood may permanently enhance one's potential for violence.

Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that are transmitted to and from neurons across synapses, resulting in communication between brain structures. An increase or decrease in this behavior can influence behavior. People who commit suicide and homicidal have lower than average levels of 5-HIAA, the breakdown product of the serotonin, in their spinal fluid. Other neurotransmitters often associated with aggressive behavior are dopamine nor epinephrine and acetylcholine and the amino acid GABA. Animal studies indicate that increasing in brain dopamine and nor epinephrine activity significantly enhances the likelihood that animal will respond to the environment in an impulsively violent manner.

PREDISPOSING FACTORS
GENETIC FACTORS

a). Twin studies : concordance rate for monozygotic twins exceed the rates for dizygotic twins

b). Pedigree studies: the persons with family histories of mental disorders are more susceptible to mental disorder and engage in more aggressive behavior than those without such histories. Those with low IQ scores appear to have frequency of delinquency and aggression than those with normal IQ scores.

c) Chromosomal influences: XYY syndrome contributes to aggressive behavior. The person with this syndrome are tall, below average intelligence and likely to be apprehend and in prison for engaging in criminal behavior.

NEUROTRANSMITTERS

Cholinergic and catecholaminergic mechanisms seem to be involved in the induction and enhancement of predatory aggression whereas seroteonergic system and GABA seem to inhibit such behavior. Dopamine seems to facilitate aggression, whereas nor epinephrine and serotonin appears to inhibit such behavior. Some human studies have indicated that 5-HIAA levels in CSF inversely correlates with the frequency of aggression, particularly among persons who commit suicide.

NEUROPHYSIOLOGICAL DISORDERS

Epilepsy of temporal lobe and frontal lobe origin results in episodic aggression ad violent behavior .Tumors in the brain ,particularly in the areas of the limbic system and the temporal lobe ,trauma to the brain ,resulting in cerebral changes and the disease such as encephalitis have been implicated in the predisposition to aggression and violent behavior.

PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS

Instinctive behavior
Freud's view:

According to Sigmund Freud held that all human behavior stems either directly or indirectly from two instincts. These are Eros and Thanatos. Eros -It is the life the life instinct –whose energy or libido is directed towards the enhancement or reproduction of life. In this frame work, aggression was viewed simply as a reaction to blocking or thwarting of libidinal impulses and was neither an automatic nor an inevitable part of life. Thanatos: It is the death force-whose energy is directed towards the destruction or termination of life. According Freud , all human behavior stem from the complex interplay of Thanatos and Eros and the constant tension between them. Because the death instinct, if unrestrained, soon results in self-destruction. Freud hypothized that through the mechanism such as displacement, the energy of Thanatos is redirected towards and serve as the basis of aggression against others. Thus according to him, aggression primarily stems from the redirection of the self destructive death instinct away form the self and towards others.

Lorenz's view:

According to Konard Lorenz , aggression that causes physical harm to others springs from a fighting instinct that humans share with other organisms. The energy associated with this instinct is produced spontaneously in organisms at a more or less constant rate.

Learned behavior

Aggression is primarily a learned form of social behavior. According to Albert Bandura, neither innate urges toward violence nor aggressive drives aroused by frustration are the roots of human aggression. He said that aggression is the learned behavior under voluntary control. The learning of aggressive behavior occurs by observation and modeling. For example, a child watches an angry parent strikes out another person. Learning aggressive behavior also takes place by direct experiences. The person feels anger and behaves aggressively. If behaving aggressively brings rewards, the behavior is encouraged.

Moreno believed that anger is a natural by product of the learning process; it is signal that a person wants to learn something. The more inadequate a person feels, the more anger may be present. Moreno also believed that anger is spontaneous energy that propels an individual into new learning.

SOCIAL FACTORS

a). Frustration: The single most potent means of inciting human beings to aggression is frustration. Widespread acceptance of this view stems from John Dollard's frustration, aggression hypothesis. This hypothesis indicated that frustration always leads to a form of aggression and that aggression always stem from frustration.

Frustrated persons do not always respond with aggressive thoughts and words, or deeds. They may show a wide variety of reactions ranging from resignation, depression and despair to attempts to overcome the sources of frustration. Examination of the evidence indicates that whether frustration increases or fails to enhance covert aggression depends largely on two factors. First, frustration appears to increase aggression only when the frustration is intense. When it is mild or moderate, aggression may not be enhanced. Second frustration is likely to facilitate aggression when it is perceived as arbitrary or illegitimate, rather than when it is viewed s deserved or legitimate.

b). Direct provocation: Evidence indicates that physical abuse and verbal taunts from others often elicit aggressive actions. Once aggression begins, it often shows an unsettling pattern of escalation; as a result even mild verbal slurs or glancing blows may initiate a process of in which a stronger and stronger provocation are exchanged.

c). Television violence: A link between aggression and televised violence has been noted. The more televised violence children watch, the greater is their level of aggression against others. Mechanisms underlying the effects of televised and filmed violence on the behavior of the viewers

Mechanism Effects
Observational learning Viewers acquire new means of harming others not previously present in their behavior
Disinhibition Viewers restraints or inhibition against performing aggressive action are weakened as a result of observing others engaging in such behavior
Desensitization Viewer's emotional responsivity to aggressive actions and their consequences –signs of suffering on the part of victims –is reduced. As result they show little, if any, emotional arousal in response to such stimuli.

d). Computer games: Similar concerns have been raised the bout computer game with violent themes. Some studies indicate that adolescents become desensitized to homicidal activities after repeated exposure, especially if the game involves killing the virtual opponents, which is common in many computer programs.

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

    • Air pollution: Exposure to noxious orders ,such as those produced by chemical plants and other industries ,may increase personal irritability and therefore aggression , although this effect appears to be truly up to a point. If the odors in question are truly foul , aggression appears to decrease –perhaps because escaping from the unpleasant environment becomes a dominant goal for those involved.

    • Noise: several studies have reported that persons exposed to loud ,irritating noise direct stronger assaults against others than those not exposed to such environmental conditions.

    • Crowding: some studies indicates that overcrowding may produce elevated levels of aggression, but other investigations have failed to obtain such evidence of such a link.

    SITUATIONAL FACTORS

      • Heightened physiological arousal: Vigorous exercises ,exposure to provocative films enhances overt aggression.

      • Sexual arousal: Exposure to photos of attractive nude , aggression is reduced. Aggression is enhanced by the exposure to films of couples engaged in various sex acts.

      • Pain: Physical pain may arouse aggressive drive . this drive intern may find expression of against available targets including those not in any way responsible for the aggressors discomfort.

      source :http://nursingplanet.com/pn/nursing_management_aggression.html

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      Nursing Management of Aggression

      Posted: 07 Jul 2010 08:55 AM PDT

      Aggression arises from an innate drives or occurs as a defense mechanism and is manifested either by constructive or destructive acts directly towards self or others. Aggressive people ignore the rights of other people. They must fight for their own interests and they expect same from others. An aggressive approach to life may lead to physical or verbal violence. The aggressive behavior often covers a basic lack of self confidence. Aggressive people enhance to their self esteem by overpowering others and there by proving their superiority. They try to cover up their insecurities and vulnerabilities by acting aggressive.

      Meaning

      • Anger: Anger is defined as a strong uncomfortable emotional response to provocation that is unwanted and incongruent with one's values, beliefs or rights.
      • Aggression: Aggression refers to behavior that is intended to cause harm or pain. Aggression can be either physical or verbal.

      Characteristics of aggressive behavior


      • Aggressive behavior is communicated verbally or non verbally
      • Aggressive people may invade the personal space of others
      • They may speak loudly and with greater emphasis
      • They usually maintain eye contact over a prolonged period of time so that the other person experiences it as an intrusive
      • Gestures may be emphatic and often seem threatening. (For example they may point their figure, shake their fists, stamp their feet or make slashing motion with their hands)
      • Posture is erect and often aggressive people lean forward slightly towards the other person. The overall impression is one of power and dominanc

      Types of aggression

      • Instrumental aggression -- aggression aimed at obtaining an object, privilege or space with no deliberate intent to harm another person
      • Hostile aggression -- Aggression intended to harm another person, such as hitting, kicking, or threatening to beat up someone.
      • Relational aggression – A form of hostile aggression that does damage to another’s peer relationships, as in social exclusion or rumor spreading

      Moyer Classification
      Moyer (1968) presented an early and influential classification of seven different forms of aggression, from a biological and evolutionary point of view.

      • Predatory aggression: Attack on prey by a predator.
      • Inter-male aggression: Competition between males of the same species over access to resources such as females, dominance, status, etc.
      • Fear-induced aggression: Aggression associated with attempts to flee from a threat.
      • Irritable aggression: Aggression induced by frustration and directed against an available target.
      • Territorial aggression: Defense of a fixed area against intruders, typically conflicts.
      • Maternal aggression: A female’s aggression to protect her offspring from a threat. Paternal aggression also exists.
      • Instrumental aggression: Aggression directed towards obtaining some goal, considered to be a learned response to a situation.

      source :http://nursingplanet.com/pn/nursing_management_aggression.html

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      Osteoporosis in Men

      Posted: 07 Jul 2010 08:29 AM PDT

      Osteoporosis in Men

      Today, the lack of awareness of osteoporosis and fractures as a disease in men is similar to the lack of awareness in women 50 years ago. Men do not realize that the ’silent epidemic’ of osteoporosis affects them and that their bones are becoming thinner, more porous and brittle during adult life.

      Traditionally thought of as a women’s disease, in the last decade the notion that bone loss is also an inevitable consequence of ageing in men has finally emerged. Although fragility fractures are less common in men than in women, when they occur, these fractures can be associated with higher morbidity and death than in women. Overall, one in five men over the age of 50 will have an osteoporosis related fracture in their remaining lifetime.
      Risk factors for osteoporosis
      The following risk factors are associated with osteoporosis in men:

      * Prolonged exposure to certain medications, such as steroids used to treat asthma or arthritis, anticonvulsants, certain cancer treatments and aluminum containing antacids
      * Chronic disease that affects the kidneys, lungs, stomach, and intestines and alters hormone levels
      * Undiagnosed low levels of the sex hormone testosterone
      * Lifestyle habits such as:
      o Smoking
      o Excessive alcohol use
      o Low calcium intake (see Calcium page)
      o Inadequate physical exercise

      The size of the problem

      Over a man’s lifetime just under half of his bone mass achieved during growth to young adulthood is lost. This loss of bone is the same as the amount lost in women but men compensate better by laying down more new bone on the outer surface of the bone as part of the natural process of bone remodeling. However, this addition of new bone on the outside surface does not entirely compensate for the loss of bone on its inside surface and so about one in five men over 50 will have a bone fracture that reduces the quality of their lives, and reduces the length of their lives. The lifetime risk of a man suffering an osteoporotic fracture is greater than his likelihood of developing prostate cancer.

      Men with spine fractures have smaller bones, and the shell of the bone is thin and porous. The honeycomb or sponge-like bone that functions like a spring or shock absorber is thinned, resulting in the honeycomb connections making the bone ’spring-like’ being lost, so that when a force is placed on the bone it does not ‘give’ but rather cracks under the load and may collapse completely, which causes a fracture of the spine. If fractures occur there may be severe pain, loss of height, and severe curvature of the spine. If there is severe curvature this can impair the function of the lungs and impair normal breathing.
      Fewer approved treatments for men than for women

      Only a handful of osteoporosis treatments have been approved for use by men – the others have not been subjected to the lengthy and expensive clinical trials that are required. Drugs have been less studied in men than in women with osteoporosis. At present the best studied drug for men is from the bisphosphonate drug group, alendronate.
      There is evidence also for other drugs such as risedronate and etidronate and the bone building drug parathyroid hormone, which makes new bone on the outside and inside surfaces of the bone, helping to reconstruct the skeleton and rejoin the disconnected trabeculae (struts and plates) in the spongy bone.

      Testosterone increases bone density in men with low levels of this male hormone.

      Calcium supplements have not been well studied in men but probably should be administered in men taking less than one gram of calcium daily.
      Role of the individual

      Osteoporosis is one of the more preventable diseases associated with ageing. Paying attention to bone health throughout life, from childhood onwards, is the most effective way of building and maintaining bone strength, thus decreasing bone loss and brittleness that can lead to the first fracture.

      source : http://www.iofbonehealth.org/patients-public/more-topics/osteoporosis-in-men.html

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