aggression

n. A general term for behavior with the intention of harming another or controlling another for one,s own needs and to the other’s detriment. The term has been used with widely different theoretical points of view in psychology. Freud viewed aggression as an expression of thanatos, the death wish. Adler regarded aggression as a flawed expression of superiority striving. Murray supposed there was a basic need for aggression. Dollard supposed it was the outcome of frustration. Ethologists have subcategorized aggression in many ways, including predation, territorial defense, play, status competition, and altruistic or protection. Hormone theory proposes that hormones, such as testosterone, lead to an increased tendency to show toss and tumble behavior in pre- and adolescent development and more physical as opposed to verbal aggression in males as compared to females.