Aggression: Social Learning & Cognitive Neoassociation in the Iraq War

From the mundane conflict in Iraq to natural incidents akin the torture of pris championrs at Abu Ghraib, dehumanisation of the enemy and the square off of the environment in which they are encountered can excuse how and why soldiers on both sides attack. societal education theory is at the root of the dehumanizing process, for as seen in Faces of the Enemy, such behavior is consistently back up & rewarded by the media and by armed forces (Jersey & Friedman, 1987). Equally important is the role of cognitive neoassociation analysis by Berkowitz, which acknowledges the environment and situational influences that can lead to feelings of aggression. Through the intersections of these cardinal theories emerges a more(prenominal) comprehensive analysis than would be possible from one alone. In this case, amicable learning theory often plays its role by teaching finished observation. When individual Iraqi insurgents or al-Qaeda in Iraq see others dehumanizing American soldier s and earning praise for it, they become accustomed to such thoughts, and as stated, find it easier to aggress. such(prenominal) insurgents learn by the example of others that dehumanization is acceptable. The less(prenominal) human another(prenominal) seems, the easier it is to harm often, soldiers orders require them to do just that. In some shipway this process mimics the BoBo doll experiment by Bandura (1977) in which children performed similar ravening acts after seeing adults perform them (Kassin, Fein & Markus, 2008 p. 403). In June of this year, cardinal American soldiers were killed, by and large by attacks by Shiite militias (Associated Press AP, 2011). Moktada al-Sadr, an influential Shiite divine who is known for his anti-Americanism, give tongue to the American troops should be treated as tyrannical occupiers (AP, ... ...ar attacks, tether to additional stress (2007, p. 351). Pappas, apparently affected by the attacks, often make the soldiers sleep inside the pr ison cells for protection (Zimbardo, 2007 p. 335). With factors of heat, lavishly stress, time mechanical press and lack of training, such stimulus likely helped score the soldiers readiness to aggress towards the detainees. In reality, it is a combination of contributing theories alternatively than a erratic theory that explains such aggression in situations like Iraq. While learning to dehumanize prepares soldiers on both sides for aggression, cognitive neoassociation demonstrates how electronegative environmental factors lend to the violence. However, though such theories of aggression stress the vastness of the situation, social psychology does not excuse or condone extreme actions taken by both parties it can only explain. Aggression Social Learning & Cognitive Neoassociation in the Iraq War From the daily conflict in Iraq to extreme incidents like the torture of prisoners at Abu Ghraib, dehumanization of the enemy and the influence of the environment in which they are encountered can explain how and why soldiers on both sides aggress. Social learning theory is at the root of the dehumanizing process, for as seen in Faces of the Enemy, such behavior is consistently supported & rewarded by the media and by armed forces (Jersey & Friedman, 1987). Equally important is the role of cognitive neoassociation analysis by Berkowitz, which acknowledges the environment and situational influences that can lead to feelings of aggression. Through the intersections of these two theories emerges a more comprehensive analysis than would be possible from one alone. In this case, social learning theory often plays its role by teaching through observation. When individual Iraqi insurgents or al-Qaeda in Iraq see others dehumanizing American soldiers and earning praise for it, they become accustomed to such thoughts, and as stated, find it easier to aggress. Such insurgents learn by the example of others that dehumanization is acceptable. The less hu man another seems, the easier it is to harm often, soldiers orders require them to do just that. In some ways this process mimics the BoBo doll experiment by Bandura (1977) in which children performed similar aggressive acts after seeing adults perform them (Kassin, Fein & Markus, 2008 p. 403). In June of this year, fifteen American soldiers were killed, mostly by attacks by Shiite militias (Associated Press AP, 2011). Moktada al-Sadr, an influential Shiite cleric who is known for his anti-Americanism, said the American troops should be treated as tyrannical occupiers (AP, ... ...ar attacks, leading to additional stress (2007, p. 351). Pappas, apparently affected by the attacks, often made the soldiers sleep inside the prison cells for protection (Zimbardo, 2007 p. 335). With factors of heat, high stress, time pressure and lack of training, such stimulus likely helped produce the soldiers readiness to aggress towards the detainees. In reality, it is a combination of contributing theories rather than a singular theory that explains such aggression in situations like Iraq. While learning to dehumanize prepares soldiers on both sides for aggression, cognitive neoassociation demonstrates how negative environmental factors contribute to the violence. However, though such theories of aggression stress the importance of the situation, social psychology does not excuse or condone extreme actions taken by both parties it can only explain.