Citation

Borden RJ. J. Pers. Soc. Psychol. 1975; 31(3): 567-573.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1975, American Psychological Association)

DOI

10.1037/h0076480

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Conducted 2 experiments with a total of 56 male undergraduates to investigate the effects of the presence of an O on aggressive responding. In Exp I, Ss observed by a male aggressed more than those observed by a female. When the male O was removed from the situation, Ss' level of aggressiveness more closely matched the level mainfested by the opponent. The removal of the female O had little effect on the S's behavior. In Exp II, the male or female O of the S's behavior was disguised as a member of an organization with explicit values (aggressive or pacifistic) regarding the use of aggression. In this case, significant differences in aggression were associated with the O's values but not the O's sex. Following the departure of the O, the shock settings of Ss in the 2 aggressive-value O groups showed a significant decrease. The average shock settings of Ss, in the 2 pacifistic-value O groups remained at about the same level. Results suggest that the Ss' aggressive behavior was apparently a function of their expectations of approval for such behavior, based on the inferred or explicit values of the O. The results are further discussed in terms of social learning theory. (22 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)