Exposure to an aggressive model and apparent probability of retaliation from the victim as determinants of adult aggressive behavior

Abstract

Sixty undergraduate males participated in an experiment designed to examine the effects of exposure to an aggressive model and apparent probability of retaliation from the victim, on adult aggressive behavior. It was hypothesized that exposure to the model would be effective in raising the level of aggression directed against an anger instigator by Ss under conditions where the apparent probability of retaliation from this individual was low, but would fail to raise the level of aggression shown by Ss under conditions where the apparent probability of retaliation was high. The dependent measures of aggression were the intensity and duration of electric shocks ostensibly delivered to the anger instigator by Ss. Results indicated that shock intensity was significantly influenced by both exposure to the model and apparent probability of retaliation. However, shock duration was significantly influenced only by exposure to the model. Contrary to the hypothesis, even a high apparent probability of retaliation failed to elimimate the influence of the model on Ss' behavior.