Theory on aggression (Buss)
Frustration
(e.g. the cat bottles up anger - it is frustrated - because it does not get as much to eat as it wanted to have)
need of a vent
(to get rid of its frustration the cat needs a target)
the target is not identifiable
(the cat does not know that it gets its food by his lordling)
the target is
identifiable and strong
(the cat knows that it will be punished when it attacks its lordling)
the target is identifiable and weak
(the cat knows that its lordling gives it the food)
substitute
(the cat takes the mouse as a substitute to get rid of its frustration - although it is not the mouse's fault that the cat did not get enough food)
aggression against the target
