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Social psychologists have studied the social forces that influence aggressive behavior. Research on aggression highlights personal, situational, and environmental factors that may uniquely influence the likelihood of aggressive behavior (Bushman & Huesmann, 2010). The media in this week’s Learning Resources demonstrates how aggressive behavior happens, even when it was unintended.

For this Discussion, review this week’s Learning Resources. Students with last names beginning with the letters A–M review the Stanford Prison Study. Students with last names beginning with the letters N–Z review the media on Abu Ghraib.

Note: In the event of a broken link, please review the articles on each of the studies to complete the assignment.

With these thoughts in mind:

Post by Day 3 the identity of the event to which you were assigned. Then explain two potential situational factors that may have influenced the aggressive behavior demonstrated in the event. Explain two possible personal factors that may have influenced this aggressive behavior. Finally, employing a social psychology perspective, explain two ways the aggressive behavior might have been prevented. Use the current literature to support your response.

Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the Learning Resources.

Read a selection of your colleagues’ postings.

Respond by Day 5 your colleagues’ postings in one or more of the following ways:

• Respond to a colleague who reviewed the opposite study.
• Share an insight from having read your colleague’s posting.
• Offer and support an opinion.
• Validate an idea with your own experience.
• Make a suggestion.
• Expand on your colleague’s posting and ask a probing question.

Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note what you have learned and/or any insights you have gained as a result of the comments your colleagues made.

Reference:

Bushman, B. J., & Huesmann, L.R. (2010). Aggression. In S. T. Fiske, D. T. Gilbert, & G. Lindzey (Eds.), The handbook of social psychology (Vol. 2, 5th ed., pp. 833–863). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

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Discussion 2: Dehumanization and Online Aggression

Dehumanization has been defined as a denial of humanness to others and has been associated with aggression and a host of negative consequences (Moller & Deci, 2009). In contemporary society, the use of computer-based communications and social media outlets creates an open opportunity for people to be aggressive. For example, the increase of anonymity through technology has provided a medium for aggression. The current literature suggests that the power differential between the online aggressor and the victim is not considered enough (Bushman & Huesmann, 2010; Fiske, 2014). Both of these issues can lead to dehumanization.

For this Discussion, consider a situation in which aggressive behavior could occur online and think about how it might foster dehumanization.

Post by Day 4 a brief description of the situation you selected. Then explain three potential factors that might foster dehumanization/de-individuation and lead to online aggressive behavior. Finally, using a social psychology perspective, explain two ways online aggression could be reduced. Be specific and use the current literature to support your response.

Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the Learning Resources.

Read a selection of your colleagues’ postings.

Respond by Day 7 to your colleagues’ postings in one of the following ways.

• Ask a probing question.
• Share an insight from having read your colleague’s posting.
• Offer and support an opinion.
• Validate an idea with your own experience.
• Make a suggestion.
• Expand on your colleague’s posting.

Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note what you have learned and/or any insights you have gained as a result of the comments your co