The effects of competition and attack on physical aggression

Abstract

The effects of competition on the expression of aggression, defined as the delivery of electric shock in a two-person reaction time situation, were examined in two studies. In the first study, the effects of high and moderate competition were examined while a S’s opponent was being nonprovocative. In the second study, a no-competition group was included and the opponent’s provocation increased across trials. The results of neither study revealed any competition effects on S’s shock settings, while the reaction time data from both studies indicated,that the Ss in the various competition conditions were differentially motivated to respond. The increasing attack of the opponent was found to significantly increase a S’s aggressiveness.