A Psychology Essay Exploring Sex Differences in Aggression: Analysis

This essay delves into the complex topic of sex differences in aggression, examining it through the lenses of sexual selection theory and gender role theory. It explores how these theories explain the origins, development, and causal mechanisms of aggression, considering both biological and societal influences. The essay provides examples of aggressive behaviors, differentiating between male-male and female-female competition, and highlighting the impact of social roles and stereotypes. Furthermore, it discusses psychological phenomena, such as cognitive dissonance, the online disinhibition effect, and reverse psychology, and how they influence aggressive behavior. The essay uses real-world examples to illustrate these concepts, providing a comprehensive analysis of the topic.

Running head: SEX DIFFERENCES IN AGGRESSION
SEX DIFFERENCES IN AGGRESSION
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Response to question 1: Theoretical perspective
The theories of sexual selection theory and gender role theory relates to the concept of
sex differences in aggression (Björkqvist & Österman, 2018). The importance of sex
differences in aggression is considered die to its application in the societal challenges caused
by the implication of violent behavior, and are mainly found among young men (Björkqvist
& Österman, 2018).
Ecological environment which is known for affecting male competition reflects the
concept of sexual selection theory. The sexual selection theory reflects the concept of
evolution in characteristics. The theory of sexual selection represents two processes,
intrasexual competition and preferential choice. Intrasexual competition reflects the
competing practices of members from a common sex (Puts, 2016). Second process in the
theory reflects the preferential choices, where member opposite sex is selected based on
certain characteristics and intelligence. In the context of sexual selection theory, the principle
reflects the inclusion of cultural evolution. The principle explains that variations occurs
horizontally as well as the potentiality of evolution of inherited, culturally and genetic traits
may occur in separate timescales (Puts, 2016). The concepts and principles of sexual
selection shapes the base for sexual differences in aggression. The concept of sexual selection
in the origin, development and causal mechanism of aggression comprises of choice
regarding members of opposite sex and the competing behavior by the members in one sex
for others. Aggressiveness is usually found in males
Social role that includes an assortment of attitude and behavioral pattern, which are
acceptable, desirable or appropriate in accordance with the people with perceived or actual
sex is termed as gender role. The theory of gender roles is linked with the aspect of
femininity and masculinity with the exception of variations. The contradictory nature of the
conception gender role occurs from the origin, which is debated between ‘socially

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constructed’ and ‘biologically determined’. The principle of gender role depicts the
similarities and differences, which arise due to primary distribution of women and men in
different roles in society (O’Neil, Denke & Blazina, 2016). The division created in workplace
and society is created due to the behavior deduced from separate genders. In accordance with
the origin, development and causal mechanism of aggression, the conception of gender role
theory can be explained through the reason behind aggression (O’Neil, Denke & Blazina,
2016). The reason for occurring sex differences in aggression is that the state of
aggressiveness is constituent of the masculine role and discouraged by feminine roles. Both
genders restricts and discourages aggression during various circumstances (O’Neil, Denke &
Blazina, 2016). Another implication of gender role theory in aggression can be the influence
of societal status. High status of men can result in the perception of agentic characteristics
(O’Neil, Denke & Blazina, 2016).
Response to Question 2: Examples of aggressive behavior
An example of aggressive behavior based on perspective of the sexual selection can
be categorized in two forms, same-sex competition for position and territories and fight
between male satin bowerbirds for competing for decorated bowers, which helps in attracting
mates. In human being the aggression in regards with the perspective of sexual selection are
based on certain boundaries, rules and behavioral pattern. Aggressiveness in the perspective
of sexual selection occurs due to natural competition, rarity of food, resources and
opportunities.
From the perspective of social role, aggressiveness varies through variation of
perceived position and behavioral pattern of gender role. In humans, female-female
competition and male-male competition adheres different norms. Male-male competition in
human are perceived or characterized by evident violent and female-female aggression are
comparatively subtle in terms of expressions in violence (O’Neil, Denke & Blazina, 2016).

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The female-female aggression reflects significant reproductive variances. Female are not
considered for competing directly for mates as the competitive interaction is based on the
aspect of dominance and/or by the competition of territories.
The social roles includes stereotypes and gender role beliefs is the base for shaping
perception regarding aggressiveness. Society possess certain perception of behavioral pattern
regarding both sexes. For instance, the industrialized society tends to perceive women in the
role of caretaker in home and in the place of employment (Hay, 2017). The communicator
inferences of female are associated with caring individuals. The base of categorization of
women and men in humans originated by the consideration of various characteristics, such as,
the physical differences among opposite sex. It is believed that men possess greater physical
strength than women. Women are majorly involved in nursing child and carrying a child.
These reasons leads to the culture of performing certain activities by one sex in comparison
to other. The concept of socialization enables the stimulation of specific skills, characteristics
and personality traits, which results in performance of sex-typical social roles. Moreover, the
social roles are known for affecting behavioral pattern by set of biosocial processes including,
self-regulation regarding standards of gender role, hormonal fluctuations and societal
expectations. Therefore, it is believed that the collaborative approach of psychology with
biology results in the role performance. For instance, men are inclined towards reflecting
aggressiveness for the act of heroism, by helping people in situations when they are
witnessed. Female are believed to be aggressive for helping in regards with their motherly
instincts and out of the role of caretaking.
Response to Question 3: Psychological phenomenon influencing aggressive behavior
Psychological phenomena is considered as the phenomenon that are established in
responses and human behavior. Psychological phenomenon are known for stimulating and
influencing aggressive behavior in response to various opportunities and experiences. Few

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common instances of sunk cost includes, sunk cost and Hawthorne effect. Sunk cost effect
depicts the psychological behavior of investing in a program, which is not fruitful. The
Hawthorne effect depicts the improving behavior or level of performance that results in
focused attention from clients, colleagues and superiors.
List of Psychological phenomenon that reflect the ability of influencing the display of the
aggressive behavioral response in regards with sexual selection and social role theory are as
follows:
 Cognitive Dissonance: The theory was represented in the year 1957 by Leon
Festinger. The phenomenon of cognitive dissonance depicts a state involving various
conflicting beliefs, attitude and behavior (Lewis et al., 2017). The process is a state of
the mental discomfort resulting in alteration of beliefs, behavior and attitudes for
reducing the level of discomfort. Cognitive dissonance phenomenon usually indicates
the change in behavior, offering improvements in behavioral prediction on attitude
changes. The involvement of male and female in aggressive behavior for the purpose
of accomplishing certain position or utilizing limited opportunities (Lewis et al.,
2017). ‘Being competitive’ in class for holding the position of a winner amongst
opposite gender may lead to change in behavior, even though the individual (male) is
aware of the fact that aggression will not directly result in positive outcome. The
social role of a mother (female) usually restricts aggression in context of opposing to
a final decision of a home, in spite of the understanding of an unfair activity
represents cognitive dissonance phenomenon.
 Online Disinhibition Effect: The tendency of expressing things or emotions online
that people usually hide or keep under the personal boundaries stimulate a series of
responses or reaction leading to aggression (Lim et al., 2019). For adhering to the
social role of an influencer or the sense of superiority from other gender, male and/or
female tends to share things, which are not usually shared with people in the fear of

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missing out. Lack of the feeling of restraint an individual feels during communicating
on online platform in contrast to the communication in-person (Lim et al., 2019). The
factors that stimulates the online disinhibition phenomenon are invisibility,
anonymity, empathy deficit and asynchronous communication (Lim et al., 2019). The
indicators of this phenomenon are the hyper active emotions and feeling for the
purpose of holding a position in the same sex group or for the power of dominance
over other sex group through aggressive approach (Lim et al., 2019). For maintaining
a social role in the society, male and female tends to develop a different picture of self
for a superior position in same sex group of humans.
 Reverse Psychology: Reverse Psychology is another phenomenon that influences the
demonstration of aggression. This phenomenon that reflects the capacity of
influencing aggressive behavior of children in regards with the social role of creating
disregarding dominance for ‘not listening to their parents’ by the state of stubbornness
is reverse psychology (Lewis et al., 2017). The representation of aggressive behavior
can be addressed by the phenomenon of reverse psychology (Lewis et al., 2017). For
instance, the social role of children especially male in reflecting stubbornness for
various commands can be addressed by incorporating a reverse stimuli than expected.
The phenomenon of reverse psychology depends on reactions, during the negative
reaction on persuasion, but reacts in the act that is persuaded for not doing (Lewis et
al., 2017). This is also application in the competition of opposite sex in community,
when a female or male is restricted of behaving nice to each other, they will start
behaving properly irrespective of the feeling of competition.
References:

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Björkqvist, K., & Österman, K. (2018). Sex differences in aggression. In The Routledge
International Handbook of Human Aggression (pp. 19-30). Routledge
Hay, D. F. (2017). The early development of human aggression. Child Development
Perspectives, 11(2), 102-106.
Lewis, D. M., Al-Shawaf, L., Conroy-Beam, D., Asao, K., & Buss, D. M. (2017).
Evolutionary psychology: A how-to guide. American Psychologist, 72(4), 353.
Lim, M. C. M. H., Ooi, M. R. R., Ooi, M. F., & Wong, C. H. (2019). A study of
cyberbullying victimization and the moderating role of mindfulness on online
disinhibition and cyberbullying (Doctoral dissertation, UTAR).
O’Neil, J. M., Denke, R., & Blazina, C. (2016). Gender role conflict theory, research, and
practice: implications for understanding the human–animal bond. In Men and Their
Dogs (pp. 11-45). Springer, Cham.
Puts, D. (2016). Human sexual selection. Current opinion in psychology, 7, 28-32.