’s frustration toward his boss was bottled up inside, and later taken out overtly on other objects. According to Dollard, et al., aggression does not always appear in overt movements. Dreams, phantasies, and plans to revenge are also ways one can express their aggressive behavior. However, turning aggression inward can result in suicide, masochism, or martyrdom.The two theories above can in some aspects run congruent. Frustration, though not overtly expressed in Fromm’s theory, seems to be a major factor/drive to the reason why one becomes aggressive. For example, Fromm said that feeling helplessly compelled to conform to rules of society, work, and authority, our lack of freedom (or perceived lack of freedom) to make decisions, and our inability to find meaning in our lives causes resentments, which then leads to aggression. However, one needs to become frustrated before she or he can feel resentment. The above-mentioned issues can cause frustration, which then breeds resentment, which then fuels aggression. Therefore, both theories use frustration as a presupposition to aggressive behavior. The problem with Bandura’s social learning theory is that is excludes frustration from its theory. Take into account a 6-year-old boy who has positive role models in his life (parents are not criminals, extended family members are upstanding citizens, religion has been integrated into his life via his parents, etc.). His parents monitor what he watches on T.V. and are quick to turn off a program that promotes violence in any form. He knows that if he does something bad he will be punished by having to take a time out or by having a privilege taken away from him. Yet, when he wants a cookie and his mother says it is too close to dinnertime, he throws the toy in his hand across the room. How does Bandura’s learned behavior theory account for or explain the boys overt aggressive behavior when it would seem that his environment ...
