Norfolk State University

Distinguishing Between Antisocial Behavior, Aggression and Violence

Tanikqua Epps
Social Psychology 250-91
Dr. Boyd
11/24/2019

Based on Chapter 10:

Explain the differences between antisocial behavior, aggression, and violence, as defined in the
textbook. Then explain the distinction between hostile aggression and instrumental aggression,
and give an example of each.
What does social psychological research say about the impact of violent media on aggressive
behavior? Discuss all of the key conclusions from this research.
Describe the evidence that suggests that poor self-control is the primary cause of crime.
 In this paper I will define antisocial behavior, violence, and aggression. What exactly is

antisocial behavior? “Antisocial behavior is a term that research psychologists have used in

casual and somewhat inconsistent ways (though clinicians have a more precise definition). In

general, it seems to refer to behavior that either damages interpersonal relationships or is

culturally undesirable.” (Baumeister, R.F. & Bushman, B.J. (2017). Social Psychology and Human

Nature, Brief Version (4th Ed.). Wadsworth-Cengage.) Antisocial behavior can consist of two

components prosocial and antisocial. “Some children may exhibit high levels of both antisocial

and prosocial behaviors; for example, the popular but rebellious child. Some, however, may

exhibit low levels of both types of behaviors; for example, the withdrawn, thoughtful child. High

levels of antisocial behavior are considered a clinical disorder.” (Antisocial Behavior – Causes

and characteristics, Treatment) Even though antisocial behavior is about behavior that causes

damage interpersonally aggression on the other hand is entirely unalike. “Most social

psychologists define human aggression as any behavior intended to harm another person who

does not want to be harmed.” (Baumeister, R.F. & Bushman, B.J. (2017). Social Psychology and

Human Nature, Brief Version (4th Ed.) Aggression has various degrees or levels that function

coherently. Violence is a depth of aggression with physical harm.

Antisocial behavior has two parts. First being the presence of antisocial, which is

characterized by an aggressive behavior. Antisocial behavior can be caused by family problems;

such as child abuse, marital discord, or health problems. (Antisocial Behavior – Causes and

characteristics, Treatment) Many attention disorders are linked to antisocial behavior like

ADHD. “A child may exhibit antisocial behavior in response to a specific stressor (such as the

death of a parent or a divorce) for a limited period of time, but this is not considered a
psychiatric condition.” (Antisocial Behavior – Causes and characteristics, Treatment) Having

antisocial behavior can lead to a negative future for adolescents. “Children and adolescents

with antisocial behavior disorders have an increased risk of accidents, school failure, early

alcohol and substance use, suicide, and criminal behavior.”(Antisocial Behavior – Causes and

characteristics, Treatment) Secondly, prosocial behavior is the complete opposite of antisocial

behavior. Prosocial behavior is a behavior that helps benefit others such as with

communication, sharing, or even volunteering.

Aggression behavior has many different forms, but the two I will be referring to are

hostile and instrumental aggression. Hostile aggression is a violent attitude or action that

involves anger and a desire to dominate. “Hostile aggression or reactive aggression is “hot,”

impulsive, angry behavior that is motivated by a desire to harm someone.” (Baumeister, R.F. &

Bushman, B.J. (2017). Social Psychology and Human Nature, Brief Version (4th Ed.) Instrumental

aggression is an aggression that is used to achieve a goal. According to the book, “Instrumental

aggression or proactive aggression is “cold,” premeditated, calculated behavior that is

motivated by some other goal (obtaining money, restoring one’s image, restoring justice).”

(Baumeister, R.F. & Bushman, B.J. (2017). Social Psychology and Human Nature, Brief Version

(4th Ed.) Instrumental aggression and hostile aggression are two different aggressions that have

different motives. Hostile is more violent and instrumental aggression is more calm and more

awarding.

What does social psychological research say about the impact of violent media on

aggressive behavior? According to the textbook, “One can, however, draw causal inferences

about the link between exposure to media violence and aggressive behavior in milder forms
than violence. Hundreds of experiments have shown that exposure to media violence causes an

increase in aggressive behavior.” (Baumeister, R.F. & Bushman, B.J. (2017). Social Psychology

and Human Nature, Brief Version (4th Ed.) Also, “Studies also have shown that parents who set

limits on the amount and content of children’s media use provide a powerful protective factor

against aggression.” (Baumeister, R.F. & Bushman, B.J. (2017). Social Psychology and Human

Nature, Brief Version (4th Ed.) Studies have also said, “Women as well as men who were heavy

childhood viewers of violent TV shows were much more likely to have abused their spouses and

assaulted another adult at least once in the last year, according to self-reports, other-reports,

and police records.” Research has also shown that violent games increase aggression. “ There

are also long-term effects of viewing violent sexual media, such as desensitization to the pain

and suffering experienced by women who have been the victims of sexual assault. Research has

shown that even several days after watching violent sex scenes in “slasher” films, men still

displayed an increased tolerance for aggression directed toward women.” (Baumeister, R.F. &

Bushman, B.J. (2017). Social Psychology and Human Nature, Brief Version (4th Ed.)

Next, poor self-control is the primary cause of crime because individuals can not

suppress themselves emotionally. “For example, intoxicated people have less control over their

aggressive behavior than do sober people, perhaps because alcohol interferes with executive

functions.” (Baumeister, R.F. & Bushman, B.J. (2017). Social Psychology and Human Nature,

Brief Version (4th Ed.) People who have no self-control do not always have a substitute that

interferes with judgment. For example, someone with a temper does not have a substitute they

are just a ticking time bomb.

 In conclusion, I have discussed antisocial behavior, aggression, and violence. Antisocial

behavior, aggression, and violence all coexist coherently, but all differ. Antisocial behavior,

violence, and aggression involve the intent to harm someone. “Aggression and violence aren’t

the only forms of antisocial behaviors, although they are the forms social psychologists have

studied the most.” (Baumeister, R.F. & Bushman, B.J. (2017). Social Psychology and Human

Nature, Brief Version (4th Ed.)

 Works Cited

Antisocial Behavior - Causes and characteristics, Treatment. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://psychology.jrank.org/pages/37/Antisocial-Behavior.html.

.” (Baumeister, R.F. & Bushman, B.J. (2017). Social Psychology and Human Nature, Brief Version (4th
Ed.). Wadsworth-Cengage.)