Citation

Zillmann D, Bryant J, Cantor JR, Day KD. J. Res. Pers. 1975; 9(4): 282-293.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1975, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/0092-6566(75)90003-3

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Subjects were aggressively instigated by a provoker. They then performed either a nonstrenuous or a strenuous task in order to be placed in either a moderate or an extreme state of sympathetic arousal. Following the task, they either learned or did not learn about mitigating circumstances behind the provoker's behavior. This information was received prior to the provision of an opportunity to retaliate. Under conditions of moderate arousal, mitigating circumstances were found to reduce retaliation. In contrast, these circumstances failed to exert any appreciable effect on retaliation under conditions of extreme arousal. In addition, the induction of extreme arousal was observed to increase retaliatory behavior. The findings were considered to support a model of hostility and aggression that postulates a specific interdependency of cognitive and excitatory processes.