Understanding the relationship between boredom propensity and aggression propensity in the general public

Master's Thesis , 2016 , 55 Pages , Grade: 2.1 (Merit)

Psychology - Forensic Psychology and Penal System

Aggression is a common characteristic of human behaviour, which has shaped and impacted societies, politics, cultures of nations and billions of people (Mitoma, 2014). Defined as a state of feeling bored (Oxford Dictionary, 2015), which itself is vague, there has been little research done to understand the relationship between boredom propensity and aggression. In fact, the most recent studies were completed in 1997 and 2004, justifying the need for further, more relevant, current research in regards to the subject.

Theories, such as Fenichel, (1951), suggest that boredom is the internal manifestation of anger, which indicate that there is a significant correlation between boredom and aggression. Considering the lack of agreement as to the definition of boredom, which it has been suggested by Melton & Schulenberg, (2009), is a contributing factor in the lack of research into boredom, the relationship between boredom and aggression is one which could provide insights and help define or adjust current proactive and reactive activities in wide variety of areas including work performance Bruursema, Kesler, & Spector, 2011), safe driving (Dahlen, Martin, Ragan, & Kuhlman, 2005), and relationships (Elpidorou, 2014), for example.

This correlational and cross sectional, quantitative research aimed to establish if there is a relationship between Boredom Propensity (BP) and Aggression Propensity (AP), in the general public, and used multivariate regression testing. Participants were volunteers (n = 102), recruited from social media, as well as professional and personal contacts, who completed the Boredom Propensity Test (Sundberg, & Farmer, n.d) and the Aggression Questionnaire, (Buss and Perry, 1992). Whilst not attempting to define the cause, results (independent of age or gender) indicated that there is a high moderate, positive correlation between BP and AP. Results also show that BP can be predictor of two specific aspects of aggression, Physical Aggression (PA) and Hostility (H); however, is less reliable in predicting verbal aggression (VA) and anger (A).

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Abstract
• Acknowledgements
• Chapter 1 - Introduction
• Chapter 2 - Literature Review
• Chapter 3 - Methods
• Chapter 4 - Results
• Chapter 5 - Discussion
• Chapter 6 Conclusions & Recommendations
• References
• Appendices
  • Dissertation Proposal
  • Boredom Propensity Test
  • Aggression Questionnaire

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This dissertation examines the relationship between boredom propensity and aggression propensity in the general public. It aims to determine whether a correlation exists between these two traits and to understand the nature of this relationship. The research employs a correlational and cross-sectional design, using multivariate regression testing to analyze data from a sample of 102 participants.

• Relationship between Boredom Propensity (BP) and Aggression Propensity (AP)
• Impact of Boredom Propensity on Different Types of Aggression (Physical Aggression, Hostility, Verbal Aggression, Anger)
• Exploring the Potential of Boredom Propensity as a Predictor of Aggression
• Relevance of Findings for Understanding and Managing Aggressive Behaviour in Various Contexts
• Implications for Public Health, Education, and Law Enforcement

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Chapter 1: Introduction - This chapter provides a general overview of aggression and its impact on society. It highlights the prevalence of aggressive behaviour in various contexts, including criminal behaviour, domestic violence, and workplace interactions. The chapter emphasizes the need to understand the contributing factors to aggression in order to develop effective strategies for management and reduction.
• Chapter 2: Literature Review - This chapter presents a comprehensive overview of existing research on boredom propensity and aggression, exploring various theoretical frameworks and empirical findings. It examines the relationship between boredom and aggression from different perspectives, highlighting key concepts and ongoing debates within the field.
• Chapter 3: Methods - This chapter details the methodology employed in the research, including the research design, participant recruitment, data collection methods, and the instruments used to measure boredom propensity and aggression propensity.
• Chapter 4: Results - This chapter presents the findings of the statistical analysis conducted on the collected data. It examines the correlation between boredom propensity and aggression propensity and analyzes the relationships between boredom propensity and specific types of aggressive behaviour.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This study focuses on the connection between boredom propensity and aggression propensity. Key concepts include boredom propensity, aggression propensity, physical aggression, hostility, anger, verbal aggression, and the relationship between these factors. The study explores the potential of boredom propensity as a predictor of aggression, and its implications for understanding and managing aggressive behaviour in various societal contexts.

• College: The University of Liverpool
• Course: MSc Forensic Psychology & Criminal Investigations
• Grade: 2.1 (Merit)
• Author: Ashley Ratcliffe (Author)
• Publication Year: 2016
• Pages: 55
• Catalog Number: V338405
• ISBN (eBook): 9783668280977
• ISBN (Book): 9783668280984
• Language: English
• Tags: understanding