Frustration leads to aggression primarily when:

Frustration leads to aggression primarily when there is a perception of being thwarted in goal achievement. This principle is rooted in the frustration-aggression hypothesis, which posits that frustration occurs when an individual is blocked from achieving a desired goal, resulting in feelings of anger or aggression. When a person feels that their efforts are being obstructed, it intensifies their motivational state, leading to aggressive responses either towards the source of frustration or displaced onto other targets.

For example, if someone is put in a situation where they have worked hard toward an objective, such as a promotion, but are unfairly denied it, that feeling of thwarted effort can manifest as aggression toward colleagues or the management, or even internalized frustration. This dynamic highlights the importance of perceived obstacles in triggering aggressive behavior, making the connection between frustration and aggression clear.

The other options either downplay the necessary perception of obstruction in achieving goals or suggest conditions that don’t directly lead to aggression in various contexts. Understanding this principle helps to clarify the psychological processes underlying aggressive behavior in response to frustration.