article

Frustration, aggression and the non-violent Semai

American ethnologist4 (4) • Published In 1977 • Pages: 762-779

By: Robarchek, Clayton Allen.

Abstract
This source examines the frustration-aggression hypothesis formulated by Dollard and his co-workers in the light of a body of ethnographic data on the Senoi including various theories about and research on the nature of emotion. The result of this analysis seems to indicate that the frustration-aggression hypothesis by itself is inadequate to explain observed behavior. Robarchek postulates an alternative theory or model within a system-oriented framework that would incorporate not only the basic tenets of the frustration-aggression hypothesis, but also other extant approaches to the study of aggression and emotion. This alternative model is then employed in an attempt to understand better the origins of “…and the relationships between, the subjectively perceived emotions of fear and anger and their behavioral concomitants in a specific ethnographic context” (p. 777). After a careful identification of the significant variables involved (e.g., physiological status, psychological processes, interaction patterns, and culturally defined beliefs and values), the model is applied in various situations to predict behavior in contexts different from that in which it was initially drawn. These predictions, says the author, were largely supported by additional ethnographic data.
Subjects
Drives and emotions
Personality disorders
Spirits and gods
Magic
Ethnopsychology
Premarital sex relations
culture
Semai
HRAF PubDate
2012
Region
Asia
Sub Region
Southeast Asia
Document Type
article
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
John Beierle; 1989
Field Date
1973-1974
Coverage Date
1962-1974
Coverage Place
Perak and Pahang, Malaysia
Notes
Clayton A. Robarchek
Includes bibliographical references (p. 778-779)
LCCN
74644326
LCSH
Senoi (Southeast Asian people)