A fight that breaks out in a bar with a stranger is a classic example of hostile aggression. The behavior is typically impulsive and motivated by feelings of anger, with the direct intention of causing physical pain to the other person.

Example of Hostile Aggression: Bar Fight

A soccer player, frustrated after an opponent legally tackled them and took the ball, waits for an opportunity. Later in the game, when the referee is not looking, the player deliberately trips the same opponent far from the ball, causing them to fall. Which statement best analyzes why this action is a form of hostile aggression?

Hostile aggression refers to aggression to emotionally or physically harm someone, with anger as the motivation to do so, such as getting into a fight with a stranger. 

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Based on the underlying motivation, human aggression can be categorized into two primary forms: hostile and instrumental. This distinction hinges on whether the aggression is driven by emotional anger with the intent to cause pain (hostile) or by the pursuit of a separate goal (instrumental).

Types of Aggression Based on Motive

Gilovich, T., Keltner, D., Chen, S., &amp; Nisbett, R. E. (2019). Social psychology. W. w. Norton &amp; Company. 

Social Psychology

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

Instrumental aggression is a form of harm-doing that is motivated by the desire to achieve a specific goal, where causing pain is not the primary objective. The aggressive act serves as a tool or instrument to obtain something else, such as money, resources, or status.

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