Projective Aggression and Social Attitudes

Abstract

This study investigates the extent to which styles of aggression and modes of response to frustration are predictive of individual differences in social attitude and belief patterns. The Rosenzweig Picture-Frustration Study was administered along with the Conservatism Scale to a sample of 47 female and 44 male students. Extrapunitiveness was associated with “realistic” and “toughminded” attitudes (particularly racialism and sexual freedom), but Ego-defensiveness on the PF-Study was more strongly predictive of racialism. Need-persistence (concern with finding solutions to problems) was associated with liberalism and the absence of racist and religious attitudes. Results are discussed in relation to “psychodynamic” and “trait” theories of personality.