ABSTRACT
This chapter describes sources of conflict and aggression from a theoretical point of view. Three main theories on the origin of aggression are analyzed: 1) instinct (Trieb) theory, 2) the frustration-aggression hypothesis, and 3) social learning theory. It is concluded that aggression is not an innate drive functioning in accordance with the reservoir model, like hunger or sex, but aggression may serve as a means to fulfill other drives, whether innate or learned. Scripts for how to behave in conflict situations are learned, and they are to a great extent dependent on culture. Anger, which is a natural human emotion, may serve as an invigorating factor, encouraging the choice of aggressive scripts. Whereas conflict constitutes an inevitable part of social life, violence can be avoided, and alternative scripts employed.
