PERSONALITY THEORY & GENDER DIFFERENCES IN AGGRESSION
The personality is defined as referring to a unique style of behavior or thought; a kind of self or inner agent. Psychologists differ in their views of the personality, they use different terms to refer to the concept, such as types, traits, and social learning. Each of the terms is associated with a different personality theory; each theory offers its own definition of personality and human behavior (Gatchel & Mears, 1982). Gender differences in aggression have been found; Bandura's social learning model of the personality can be used to explain the development of these differences.
Research demonstrates that men view aggression as a functional interpersonal act aimed at imposing control over other people, and women view aggression as a breakdown of self control over anger. Rewards for aggression might include: coercive power, social control, normative approval, management of identity, and acquisition of territory, money and peer approval. Studies demonstrate that men feel more positive about aggression and are more likely to be aggressive in public than in private, and they are more willing to use physical as well as verbal forms of attack and experience less quilt and anxiety about aggression than women (Campbell & Muncer, 1994).
Men are found to be characterized by self-assertive traits such as independence, competitiveness and ability to stand up under pressure, suggesting views of aggression as acts of control or coercion, with a readiness to exploit others in the service of personal or social benefit. Women are found to exhibit interpersonally-oriented, expressive traits, such as devoting the self to others, being kind and understanding of others, suggesting a less positive view of aggression and a need to maintain self-control (Campbell & Muncer, 1994).
Additional studies state that findings clearly demonstrate sex differences in aggression, with the ...