Question 1
Aggression is a social behavior that I have tried for many years to avoid. It is a behavior that I have exhibited in many occasions. In my aggressive behavior, have been very hostile in some occasions and this has been unwelcomed by many. In addition, I normally attack others during conversation and forceful demand to drive my points or wants. Sometimes I exhibit aggressive behavior to retaliate when I am provoked with others. However sometimes I am very aggressive even when I have not been provoked. When I observe this social behavior keenly, I mostly exhibit it to my peers when I want to prove my social dominance. Worse still, when I see that I am being overwhelmed in conversation or friendly competitions, I usually tend to be aggressive to cause harm to my competitor. I show my social character of aggression in different forms depending with the situation. Sometimes when I want to prove to my peers that I am in control, I become aggressive either verbally or non-verbally. When I am verbally aggressive I use very provocative words that are intended to prove that I am in control. However, in some occasions I show my aggressive behavior by non verbal acts including my facial expression. In serious occasions though, I show my aggressive behavior by becoming physical. This means that I can physically challenge my peers to prove my points and show my dominance. Thus I exhibit all the forms of aggression, both emotional and retaliatory. Indeed I must admit that my violent reactions are rooted in my aggressive habit. I have closely analyzed this aggressive behavior and I realized that I use it in order to cope to my stresses (Aureli et al., 2002).
Question 2
When I have been triggered to state of anxiety, others shy away when they see the expression in my face. Sometimes they try to smile to cover up the harsh look in my face but because of my dominance I keep looking at them with anger. Since I only stop when they have looked and shied away, others feel embarrassed and disturbed, thus they walk away.
Others feedback only motivates me to continue with my aggression. When I become aggressive to show social manipulation and prove that I am dominant over my peers, others feedbacks only motivate me to continue. Sometimes when the aggression is for retaliatory purposes others feedback can only exaggerate the anger thus propelling me to continue with my aggression.
I am not always aggressive more so when my peer’s shows respect to me and they really prove my worth. In these circumstances I feel valued and important. Indeed this is the time that many people would prefer to socialize with me. In addition, when my peers appreciate me, I always tend to be calm and loving. Not once or twice has my friends told me that I can also be friendly, more so when I am happy. For sure, when I am valued and shown to that I am important I usually get anxious and happy and want to remain in this state of anxiety and happiness.
Usually my aggression behavior is inborn. This is because I have tried to be non-aggressive without success. I would say this behavior just come from the idea of natural selection. The reason behind this my argument is that when I am presented with a situation that need my dominance I immediately become aggressive. This implies that I mostly exhibit violence behavior or character due to my aggression and under specific circumstances. For instance, I usually attack when I think that it is the best way to defend and protect myself. Additionally, when I want to acquire a resource that is in limited supply, I always become aggressive to manipulate the acquisition process (Burke, 1991).
Burke, J. P. (1991). Identity Process and Social Stress. American Sociological Review, Vol. 56, pp. 836-849. Retrieved on 22/11/12 from http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/2096259?uid=3738336&uid=2&uid=4&sid=21101335864283
Aureli, F., Cords, M., Van Schaik, C. P. (2002). "Conflict Resolution Following Aggression in Gregarious Animals: A Predictive Framework" (PDF). Animal Behavior 64: 325–343. Retrieved on 22/11/12 from http://www.columbia.edu/~mc51/web-pages/More_PDFs/Aurelietal_AnimBehav_02.pdf
