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Aggression always carries an overtone of violence, hostility, anger, rage and authoritarian attitude and so it is condemned in every society. But these aggressive behaviours are tolerated when seen to be justified according to the social norms.
For instance, a sexual pervert wants to rape a woman. In defence, if the victim hurts or kills this antisocial person, society may not condemn this crime of the woman. In certain cases where aggression is used as a means of self protection or preservation or for the benefit of the society (by punishing corrupt people), it is excused.
A person in order to be aggressive must be assertive, he must have courage, self confidence and strength of character.
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Hence a certain amount of admiration with slight disapproval is expressed for an aggressive character. Aggressiveness is sometimes used in a good sense i.e. to praise someone. When I was in a top position, in the education department, once I requested the then finance secretary to sanction some special grants for my department.
I used to put forth my arguments in a loud voice and with strength and determination. He listened to me and then said in admiration “you are an aggressive lady.” This is an example of aggressiveness being appreciated.
Thus the common man shows an ambivalent attitude towards aggressive behaviour ranging from strong condemnation to mild disapproval at one end-and, from reluctant admiration to powerful fascination at the other end. For struggle for existence aggression is required.
My grand-son Anuraag aged seven years and studying in a renowned English Medium School was being beaten, kicked and assaulted physically by some of his class follows, but they never counteracted or complained against them to the class teacher. He used to tolerate all their kicks and slaps since his grand-father told him not to counter attack them as this amounts to violence.
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One day I told him that he must protect himself. So next day when these naughty boys came to assault him, he started countering them by proceeding towards them instead of withdrawing. Since that day they stopped showing aggressive behaviour to-wards him.
Anuraag told me, “They earlier thought I am a coward. Now they are scared of me since I started countering them.” I advised him “don’t first quarrel with any-body or physically assault him. But it you are assaulted you must protect your-self.”
Self protection is the most important utility of aggression. If a lion or tiger attacks you must counter him or kill-him if you have got a gun. This type of aggression is essential for self preservation. Otherwise you kill yourself and are known as a coward. Courage has a tinge of aggression and it is appreciated while a coward person is always disliked in the society.
The hostile feelings of a person if suppressed produce dangerous consequences. Through aggressive expressions the tension is relieved and this is one of the important utility of aggression. From clinical point of view people should vent their worst feelings (of course in socially acceptable ways) instead of suppressing them which is dangerous for one’s personality.
Aggression should be expressed as far as possible in a constructive manner. Mc Dougall has emphasized the positive value of aggression with the belief that the custom of going to war among primitive tribes also has its usefulness.
Jackson and Brown (1954) are of opinion that by stressing the destructive, antisocial aspects of aggression, Freud, Adler, Bovet and in a lesser degree Karen Homey and Suttie had unduly narrowed its meaning. This has been realized lately by some Freudian writers.
Joan Riviere (1937) thus comments that aggression which is closely allied to hate is by no means entirely destructive or painful, in its aims on functioning and love can be aggressive or destructive in its operation.
It seems that aggressive impulses are a radical and basic element in human psychology. We can say in fact that both the self preservative and love instincts need a certain amount of aggression if they are to attain satisfaction that is an aggressive element is an essential part of both these instincts in actual functioning.
The utility of aggression is explained from the following. Saurav Ganguly the captain of Indian cricket team supporting aggressive behaviour said “Aggression is the key to success of the Indian cricket team.” He said whenever his team performed well, that has been only when they are up for it and aggressive. That is what I try to instill in the minds of the players. he said.
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Non aggression can be insured through prevention, control and management of aggression. It is essential for a crime free society.