General Aggression Model

Proximal Processes

Proximal processes can best be understood by examining a single-cycle episode of GAM (see lower portion of Figure 1). A single episode begins with two forms of input. The first of these forms is the situation, factors within the present event that can influence social behavior. The second of these forms of input involves intrapersonal factors. These are individual differences—person factors—that may directly influence behavior, such as mood or trait aggressiveness, or may moderate the effects of situational factors.

In the next stage of GAM’s single-cycle episode, proximate processes influence internal states. The primary internal states of interest concern affect, cognitions, and physiological arousal, each of which interacts with the others (e.g., heart rate increases following frustration). General aggression model does not state which of these internal states are affected by which input variables; that is the task of more specific research. Instead, GAM specifies [Page 183]that factors that ultimately influence the likelihood of aggressive behavior do so through at least one of these three types of internal states. For example, research has demonstrated that the short-term effects of media violence on aggressive behavior are mediated primarily by aggressive cognitions. However, aggressive affect and physiological arousal also play a part in some cases.

Figure 1 The General Aggression Model: Single-Cycle and Distal Processes

Source: Anderson, C. A. & Carnagey, N. L. (2004) Violent evil and the general aggression model. Chapter in A. Miller (Ed.) The Social Psychology of Good and Evil (p. 183). New York, NY: Guilford Publications. Copyright Guilford Press. Reprinted with permission of The Guilford Press.

The single-cycle episode of GAM continues with decision and appraisal processes (Figure 2). It posits that the contents of an individual’s internal state both influence and are influenced by these decision and appraisal processes. Research regarding individuals’ attributions (e.g., Anderson, Krull, & Weiner, 1996) has shown that after a significant event occurs, an individual will immediately attempt to determine why it occurred. This initial appraisal can occur without conscious awareness. Furthermore, the appraisal may include behavioral response options. For example, if someone believes he or she has been provoked, a retaliatory response may occur as an immediate reaction. If an individual does not have the time, motivation, or cognitive resources to further evaluate his or her initial attribution, then an impulsive, reactionary decision will occur. However, if time, motivation, and cognitive resources are available, the individual must decide whether his or her initial attribution is both important and unsatisfying. If this is not the case, and the initial attribution is either unimportant or satisfying, then an impulsive behavior will likely occur. If this is the case, then one or several reappraisals of the event will occur. Reappraisals will continue to be made until the individual is satisfied with the attribution or until a response is required, in which case a thoughtful action will likely occur. Thoughtful or impulsive actions can be either aggressive or nonaggressive, and reappraisal of events does not necessarily guarantee that an initially hostile attribution will be altered by reappraisal.

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