MAIN THEORIES OF AGGRESSION AND FRUSTRATION: CAUSES AND WAYS TO OVERCOME THEM

Authors

  • Herasymchuk Oksana Dragomanov Ukrainian State University image/svg+xml Author
  • Lisyanskaya Taisa Dragomanov Ukrainian State University image/svg+xml Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31392/UDU-nc.series12.2025.26(71).01

Keywords:

aggression, frustration, psychology, psychoanalysis, behaviorism, cognitive psychology, instrumental aggression, hostile aggression, frustration-aggression, social learning.

Abstract

This article explores theoretical approaches to the study of the complex and multifaceted phenomena of aggression and frustration. It highlights theoretical frameworks for examining the psychological content of these concepts, the formation and essence of these phenomena, and the identification of similarities and differences between aggression and frustration. Particular attention is paid to the investigation of the mechanisms of occurrence and the interrelationship of these phenomena within the context of various psychological schools, including psychoanalysis (S. Freud), behaviorism (L. Berkowitz), and cognitive psychology (A. Bandura, A. Buss). The article reviews the key theories of aggression and frustration that exist in contemporary psychological science, and separately examines diverse approaches to the interpretation of the frustration phenomenon. Core tenets of the theory of aggression instinct, frustration-aggression, social learning, cognitive theory of aggression, and others are analyzed. Particular attention is paid to the study of the phenomenon of frustration in the context of J. Dollard's goal-blocking theory, John B. Rotter's expectancy theory, and E. Erikson's imbalance theory. The contemporary, actualized neurobiological approach, which involves identifying brain structures responsible for reactive and proactive aggression, is considered. The importance of event interpretation, individual differences, and the necessity of accounting for the sociocultural context in the analysis of aggression are underscored. The conclusions of the article prove the complexity and multifaceted nature of aggression and frustration phenomena, as well as the importance of further research to develop effective strategies to prevent and correct destructive behavior. The necessity for methodological pluralism and integration of knowledge from various fields, such as psychology, sociology, and neurobiology, is stressed to achieve a deeper understanding of the causes and mechanisms of aggression, as well as methods for its mitigation, thereby contributing to the creation of a safer and more harmonious society.

Author Biographies

  • Herasymchuk Oksana, Dragomanov Ukrainian State University

    Postgraduate Student of the Department of Psychology

    https://orcid.org/0009-0006-5061-3675

     

  • Lisyanskaya Taisa, Dragomanov Ukrainian State University

    PhD in Psychology, Professor of the Department of Psychology

    https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0081-2773

References

1. Бандура, А., Росс, Д., & Росс, С. (1961). Передача агресії через імітацію агресивних моделей. Журнал аномальної та соціальної психології, 63(3), 575-582.

2. Вовк, М. (2022). Переживання фрустраційних ситуацій в юнацькому віці та їх трансформація в життєвий досвід. Проблеми гуманітарних наук. Психологія, 49, 35-50. https://doi.org/10.24919/2312-8437.49.256116

3. Іщенко, Д.I. (2020). Агресивнiсть сучасної молодi: причини, шляхи профiлактики. Актуальні проблеми психології в закладах освіти, 10, 55-62. https://doi.org/10.31812/psychology.v0i10.3905

4. Магомедшаріпова, О.Д. (2020). Агресія та вимір агресивності за методикою БасаДарки. Світова наука, 3(36), 322-325.

5. Руденко, Л.М. (2012). Детермінанти виникнення агресивної поведінки. Збірник наукових праць Кам'янець-Подільського національного університету імені Івана Огієнка. Серія : Соціально-педагогічна, 19(1), 231-242. Режим доступу: http://nbuv.gov.ua/UJRN/znpkp_sp_2012_19%281%29__27

6. Atkinson, T., & Anthony, B. (1970). On the measurement of inequality. Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, 2(3), 244-263

7. Bandura, A., & Walters, R.H. (1959). Adolescent aggression: A study of the influence of child-training and family interrelationships. New York : Ronald Press.

8. Baron, R., & Richardson, D.R. (1994). Human aggression: Perspectives in Social Psychology. New York: Plenum Press.

9. Berkowitz, L. (1989). Frustration-aggression hypothesis: Examination and reformulation. Psychological Bulletin, 106(1), 59-73.

10. Blair, R.J. (2022) The motivation of aggression: A cognitive neuroscience approach and neurochemical speculations. Motivation Science, 8(2), 106-120.

11. Buss, A. (1952) Some determinants of rigidity in discrimination-reversal leaning. J. Exp. Psychology, 44, 222-227.

12. Cook, P.J., & Ludwig, J. (2000). Gun Violence: The Real Costs. Oxford : Oxford University Press.

13. Dollard, J.L., & D.G. Miller (1939) Frustration and Aggression. New Haven.

14. Dollard, J., Doob, L.W., Miller, N.E., Mowrer, O.H., & Sears, R.R. (1939). Frustration and aggression. New Haven, CT : Yale University Press. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/10022-000

15. Dugré, J.R., & Potvin, S. (2023) Neural bases of frustration-aggression theory: A multi-domain meta-analysis of functional neuroimaging studies. Journal of Affective Disorders, 331, 64-76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2023.03.005

16. Erikson, E.H. (1993). Childhood and society. New York : W.W. Norton.

17. Freud, Z. (1991). Beyond the principle of pleasure. In « I and It» (pp. 193-350). Tbilisi.

18. Kirkpatrick, L.A., Waugh, C.E., Valencia, A., & Webster, G.D. (2002). The functional domain specificity of self-steem and the differential prediction of aggression. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 82(48), 756-767. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.82.5.756

19. Lebon, H. (1982) The Crowd: A Study of the Popular Mind. (2nd edition). Atlanta, GA : Cherokee Publishing Company.

20. Rotter, J.B. (1966). Generalized expectancies for internal versus external control of reinforcement. Psychological Monographs, 80, 1-28.

21. Runciman, W.G. (1983). A Treatise on Social Theory. Volume I: Methodology of. Social Theory. Cambridge : Cambridge University Press.

22. Seligman, M.E.P., & Maier, S.F. (1967). Failure to escape traumatic shock. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 74(1), 1-9.

23. Shibutani, T. (1961). Society and personality: An interactionist interpretation. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey : Prentice-Hall.

24. Zillman, D. (1970). Aggression as a function of residual excitation. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 15(1), 22-32.

Published

2025-02-28