Konraz Lorenz
Aggression can be describes as that particular behavioral form that is characterized by attack (verbal or physical). It has a number of characteristics that may come into view as suitable and defensive (in some cases, even positive and helpful) particularly when there is vigorous self-assertiveness. On the other hand, aggression may also appear as improper, wrong and disparaging. Aggression is sometimes intended for others i.e. It is directed outwards. At other times, it may be directed against one's own self and may lead to self-destructive or desperate events. It is often caused by emotional stimulation/provocation/awakening or due to frustration. People also tend to behave aggressively when they want to make a reward safe and protected ("aggression").
According to the Austrian ethologist, Konrad Lorenz, aggression is an inborn fighting instinct that is prominent in both animal and human behaviors. He put forwarded the argument that "the suppression of aggressive instincts, common among human societies, allows these instincts the chance to build up, occasionally to the point where they are released during instances of explosive violence" ("aggression").
Lorenz's Theory of Aggression
In his book, On Aggression, Lorenz has described aggression as an inherent fighting characteristic in animals and human being which is often intended to harm the members of identical species. According to Lorenz, this aggressive instinct helps both the individual and the species to survive and continue their existence. In case of animals, aggressive behavior helps them (the stronger males in particular) to mate and occupy territories. Thus, aggression is the essential characteristic that allows animals to use their status, terrain, or developed patterns of instinctual behavior for avoiding any tangible fighting and life losses. Lorenz concludes that it is the human nature only that makes them to kill each other on purpose and he has attributed this fact to the increase and expansion of artificial weapons that has outpaced the human evolution of exterminating hang-ups ("Konrad Lorenz").
The psychological, behavioral and other similar social sciences have given another name to aggression i.e. combativeness and it is referred as the behavioral instinct in members of the same species that is directed towards causing pain or harm to others. Whereas animals are known to have an extremely aggressive nature, human beings also exhibit various forms of aggression in certain situations and these forms can vary from verbal, emotional or physical. It is extremely important to mention here that the characteristic of assertiveness is not related with aggression. As already mentioned, aggression is categorized into two types that include antagonistic, sentimental, or corrective aggression and helpful, goal-oriented or voracious aggression.
Comparison of Human and Animal Aggression
According to the empirical research, there is a psychological and physiological contradiction between the two stated aggression forms. Those who demonstrate "emotional or affective" aggression are thought of as being spontaneous, explicit and wild people with lower IQ levels. On the other hand, people demonstrating "predatory or voracious" aggression are considered as individual with goals, plans and having full control on themselves. As far as business atmosphere is concerned, it is very easy for one to find people with the mentioned aggressive personality types. It is also important to note here that violence must not be confused with aggression as there is a distinct difference among them. Aggression is, if truth be told, the starting point of violent behavior. Time and again, corrective violence and self-protective violence are not categorized as aggression due to the fact that both are initiated as responsive actions.
As far as animals are concerned, aggression helps them to reproduce and stay alive. Most of the times, aggression is used by animals for acquiring and protecting their territories and other obtained resources that may include water and food. They also make use of aggression to get most out of mating opportunities. The most obvious example of aggression can be observed when a predator and its prey interact. An animal becomes aggressive when it defends itself against a killer animal. This aggressive instinct helps it to continue living and making sure that the offspring are protected as well. For the reason that death ultimately occurs after the show of aggression against a much larger rival or grouping of rivals, there is a good sense in animals that help them to know whether they are outnumbered or not. Another situation when aggression reaches its peak in animals is when they try to have sex with the female partner. Thus, animals make use of aggression...
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