Etiology - Anger, Hostility, and Aggression

 ETIOLOGY 

Neurobiologic Theories

 

Researchers have examined the role of neurotransmitters in aggression in animals and humans, but they have been unable to identify a single cause. Findings reveal that sero-tonin plays a major inhibitory role in aggressive behavior; therefore, low serotonin levels may lead to increased aggressive behavior. This finding may be related to the anger attacks seen in some clients with depression. In addition, increased activity of dopamine and norepineph-rine in the brain is associated with increased impulsively violent behavior. Further, structural damage to the limbic system and the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain may alter the person’s ability to modulate aggression; this can lead to aggressive behavior (Siever, 2008).


Psychosocial Theories

 

Infants and toddlers express themselves loudly and intensely, which is normal for these stages of growth and development. Temper tantrums are a common response from toddlers whose wishes are not granted. As a child matures, he or she is expected to develop impulse control (the ability to delay gratification) and socially appropriate behavior. Positive relationships with parents, teachers, and peers; success in school; and the ability to be responsible for oneself foster development of these qualities. Children in dysfunctional families with poor parenting, children who receive inconsistent responses to their behavior, and children whose families are of lower socioeconomic status are at increased risk for failing to develop socially appro-priate behavior. This lack of development can result in a person who is impulsive, easily frustrated, and prone to aggressive behavior.

 

Leary, Twenge, and Quinlivan (2006) found a relation-ship between interpersonal rejection and aggression. Rejec-tion can lead to anger and aggression when that rejection causes the individual emotional pain or frustration, or is a threat to self-esteem. Aggressive behavior was often seen as a means of re-establishing control, improving mood, or achieving retribution.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Anorexia Nervosa

Image
  ANOREXIA NERVOSA   Onset and Clinical Course   Anorexia nervosa typically begins between 14 and 18 years of age. In the early stages, clients often deny they have a neg-ative body image or anxiety regarding their appearance. They are very pleased with their ability to control their weight and may express this. When they initially come for treatment, they may be unable to identify or to explain their emotions about life events such as school or relationships with family or friends. A profound sense of emptiness is common.   As the illness progresses, depression and lability in mood become more apparent. As dieting and compulsive behaviors increase, clients isolate themselves. This social isolation can lead to a basic mistrust of others and even paranoia. Clients may believe their peers are jealous of their weight loss and may believe that family and health care professionals are trying to make them “fat and ugly.”   In long-term studies of clients with anorexia...
Read more

Bulimia - Eating Disorders

Image
  Onset and Clinical Course   Bulimia nervosa usually begins in late adolescence or early adulthood; 18 or 19 years is the typical age of onset. Binge eating frequently begins during or after dieting. Between binging and purging episodes, clients may eat restrictively, choosing salads and other low-calorie foods. This restric-tive eating effectively sets them up for the next episode of binging and purging, and the cycle continues.   Clients with bulimia are aware that their eating behav-ior is pathologic and go to great lengths to hide it from others. They may store food in their cars, desks, or secret locations around the house. They may drive from one fast-food restaurant to another, ordering a normal amount of food at each but stopping at six places in 1 or 2 hours. Such patterns may exist for years until family or friends discover the client’s behavior or until medical complica-tions develop for which the client seeks treatment.   Follow-up studies with clients w...
Read more

Tasks of Grieving

  Tasks of Grieving   Grieving tasks , or mourning, that the bereaved person   faces involve active rather passive participation. It is some-times called “grief work” because it is difficult and requires tremendous effort and energy to accomplish.   Rando (1984) describes tasks inherent to grieving that she calls the “six R’s”:   ·      Recognize:  Experiencing the loss, and understanding   that it is real, it has happened.   ·      React:  Emotional response to loss, feeling the feelings.   ·      Recollect and re-experience:  Memories are reviewed and   relived.   ·      Relinquish:  Accepting that the world has changed (as a   result of the loss), and there is no turning back.   ·      Readjust:  Beginning to return to daily life; loss feels less   acute and overwhelming.   ·   ...
Read more