Page 9 - NAMAH-Jan-2018

Editorial

Apropos aggression

Is aggression a basic instinct? Konrad Lorenz The psychoanalytic theory of Freud traced
had described it to be an innate and heritable aggression to the Death instinct or Thanatos
trait that facilitated survival. Yet sophisticated that interplayed with the Life-instinct or Eros
studies have found that even the Western and was therefore considered to be innate and
Lowland gorilla in the heart of the African ingrained. Other psychoanalysts stressed
equatorial rain-forest demonstrates a dynamic different factors like striving for superiority
social structure with a high degree of tolerance (Adler); protective (Lorenz) and regression
and peaceful co-existence (1). This raises a to primitive behaviour, if other tactics failed
metaphysical query, whether harmony is (McDougall). The humanistic theory regarded
more basic than aggression. aggression as an outcome of frustration, arising
from the blocking of goals in life. On the other
Scientists, psychologists and sociologists attempt hand, Albert Bandura’s social learning theory
to understand aggression in different ways. regarded aggression as a learned behaviour
While a section of behavioural scientists focus acquired through past experiences and
on the limbic system and neuro-transmitters, reinforced by rewards. The determinants of
others focus on the neuro-endocrinal factors. aggression could be social, environmental
Psychologists are more divided, with or situational.
groups of researchers favouring different
psychoanalytic, humanistic and social learning It is not surprising to have such a divergence
theories. of views on aggression. This world of
differentiated multiplicity has endless
variations of human nature, which is perfectly
logical or else we would have a bald and
boring scenario without any uniqueness. In a
creation where endless variability is allowed,
there would automatically emerge divergent
perspectives of a single phenomenon,
especially for basic human characteristics.
And as different planes of consciousness are
simultaneously represented in the individual
and the universe, it is no wonder that thinkers
and researchers would dive deep down
different planes to unearth secrets that could
explain basic phenomena like aggression.

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