Talk:Motivation and emotion/Book/2011/Aggression

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Comments on this Work in Progress[edit source]

Whilst edits of this page are more than welcome (it is a wiki page, after all), any feedback in the form of comments would be even more greatly appreciated. In lieu of a forum, the author will respond to any comments left below and consider them in the development of the preceding book chapter. Thanks to James, too, for moving this here.

Please start your comment on an indented new line, by typing two colons (::) and, if you are logged in, end with a tag, by typing four tildes (~~~~).

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Cheers guys!


The set up of your page is really clear and logical. Colours and quiz make it appealing too. Maybe you could discuss whether there are differences between genders and type/levels of aggression?AngeM 07:34, 23 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]
The idea of Aggression and whether or not it can be useful is an interesting one. Maybe in self defence? I.REID 03:23, 22 September 2011 (UTC)[reply]
It certainly is. Obviously, there is a fairly straightforward evolutionary explanation for the rise of aggressive traits in humans. Usefulness today, though? Well, without having done much research for this assignment yet, I have only a few examples. One that I mentioned above (in my subsection 'Levels') was aggressive attitude. Certainly, this might be described by some as a strength if not a definite advantage in business, for instance. Whether or not defensive actions, though, could be considered 'aggressive' is perhaps another matter entirely - certainly, the motivations underlying the aggressive 'behaviour' might be considered different. Tyrtaeus 03:48, 22 September 2011 (UTC)[reply]
What an arrogant thing to say - "Obviously, there is a fairly straightforward evolutionary explanation...". It may seem obvious in a commonsense way, and there are certainly some well-thought out evolutionary explanations for aggression, but I really can't say that yet, can I? Just thought I'd retract that comment without actually removing it from the current appearance of the page, for the sake of preserving this conversational history as visbly as possible. Cheers again Ian. Tyrtaeus 13:42, 25 September 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Your page looks excellent so far - I think the format is going to be really great for seamless communication with your audience. From a content perspective, I was wondering about the adaptive, versus maladaptive, purpose of aggression? For example, is there times when aggression in relationships is productive, and other times when it's counterproductive? Anyway, it looks like my suggestion may be outside the scope of your outline as you've got a lot of good content listed to far. Have a great day, TabithaJ 05:08, 24 September 2011 (UTC).[reply]
Thanks for the comments! I sort of got stuck in the world of page-development for a couple of hours on Thursday, and got everything looking pretty. It's proven to be a wonderful little procrastinatory aid, this presentation format. Anyway, I think that you've raised a good point, there; I think that it's the same point at which I.REID was also getting; I'm positive it's the same point I've been raising to myself, when trying to pull myself away from being merely descriptive and being somewhat more prescriptive in terms of my chapter content. You know - more 'self-helpful' and less encyclopædic. I keep saying that I recognise this pitfall, but then I am constantly having to remind myself that it's not where I'm focusing, as silly as that might sound. Thinking as I write this, I suppose that at its heart, one of the problems I'm having is trying to understand who would be asking for help in this area, and what questions they would be looking to have answered. Without any false pretense of saintliness, I don't really identify that strongly with aggressive behaviours or feelings... Then again, following that line, maybe that's where I should be looking - for either where my aggression 'healthily' lies, so unobtusely, or where it would help me had it a greater influence on my motivation. Anyway, food for my own thought, but I hope someone else reading this finds it a little stimulating!
I had a look over at your page, too - it looks like you've already got a large bit of content sorted! I've thrown some updates up for you. Nothing major - just a couple of spelling and grammar corrections - just trying to return the contributory favour. :) Looking forward to seeing how your chapter progresses! Tyrtaeus 13:42, 25 September 2011 (UTC)[reply]
Hey T1. Thanks for your little edits on my page - you'll see now that I've reduced my table of contents significantly too :-) Certainly I agree wtih you - I'm not an aggressive person at all (a rather loooong fuse) so I would find it difficult to know what a person who is very aggressive should be asking in order to get help. I can only relate through a friend of mine who definatey has a BAS system (I'm more BIS!) - she will always approach a problem with a lot of aggression whereas my natural inclination is to inhibit my approach. In actual fact, the only time I might "approach" an issue is when something clashes with my personal values. Well I think your page looks excellent and I can tell by your structure that your content will be too :-) I'm still refining my content (i.e. adding linking sentences between paragraphs, but I feel somewhat satisfied with my progress. Have a great day, T2 :-)
Hello, again! I am very glad I got a lot of reading and sorting out done early - it's been a crazy few weeks and I almost completely forgot this page (or maybe even the unit!) existed. Congratulations on your chapter - it looks fantastic. I like the level of class brought to your project with the use of the Van Gogh. :P I haven't really had a good read of your page, but I will probably do so this week when I get stuck into mine. As you've done quite well in terms of making me feel quite guilty about the amount of work I have done lately, it should be sooner rather than later. Thanks for the 'motivation'. :) Tyrtaeus 04:19, 18 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Hey T1. Oh don't worry I completely understand - this week for me has been crazy at work so I haven't had a chance to work on my chapter. Though I've received some good feedback from others in terms of making it a little more "casual" so I plan to do that with some more text boxes and maybe a self-help survey or something. Oh and as long as we're at least putting some thought into our pages during a spare five mins, I think that is still progress :-) Your page is well advanced and looks very technical so I am really looking forward to seeing the end result! Why did you choose the topic of aggression? I wanted to actually choose an eating behaviour topic but missed out on it. However, I'm really happy I chose the relationships and happiness topic as it has refreshed me to be a little more attentive to others :-) If we both put in a bit of work this weekend I'm sure we'll be much happier with ourselves :-) Have a great day, T2 TabithaJ 09:29, 20 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]


"freud has some interesting information on aggression. Just a thought (Miz.mira 00:25, 26 September 2011 (UTC))[reply]
Thanks for the tip - I know a little about his idea that outward aggression is simply an expression of thanatos, the death instinct; the basic principle is that aggression, violence et cetera are actually just external 'versions' or expressions of the human instinctual drive towards self-destruction. Is this the 'information' to which you refer? Tyrtaeus 03:47, 4 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]
That sounds really great but I was thinking more along the lines of Defense mechanisms such as projection, displacement, reaction formation etc...
Thanks for you feedback. Just wondering if you know how I could put a picture and a box in my book chapter sorry I am technophobic :)
Do you know much about shopping addictions?
I love the book chapter so far. Great effort!Miz.mira 05:18, 15 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]
I'd love to help with the formatting of your page. Maybe this might be easier if you email me at tyrtaeus@gmail.com, so you can tell me exactly what you need.
And do I know much about shopping addictions? Well, as a poverty ridden student, I'd have to say that I don't, but my girlfriend might be an interesting case-study for you.
Looking forward to hearing from you Tyrtaeus 04:11, 18 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Hi, this looks like a really interesting chapter. I was browsing through the APA website and found an article on revenge, in particular why people seek revenge and what motivates them. It also give a cultural perspective. I know agression is not revenge but thought there is an interesting link between the two given that revenge is aggression based...perhaps you may be interested: Revenge. BTW love the interactive questionnaire. --Flow 02:21, 23 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]


I remember doing a similiar topic earlier for a psych unit. I found that in particular the psychoanalytic (displaced aggression and catharsis) and behavioural perspectives provide a good insight into exaplaining aggression. Additionally, i look foward to seeing your piece on the general aggression model as i am incorporating this into my chapter (i would appreciate any feedback you have on my page :)). Atice 01 03:15, 28 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]


Looks like you've got some really useful feedback already! I just had a look at the 'anger' page and was wondering about the difference between anger and aggression? maybe that could be defined? looks really good with the set out and headings, very thorough! Naomi 11:20, 1 November 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Comment by Magnolia - the test is excellent - love the bright colour yellow - keep going with this excellent paper