Sex Differences in Aggressive Behavior Subsequent to Listening to a Radio Broadcast of Violence

Abstract

20 male and 20 female Ss were either insulted or not insulted and either listened to hostile or to a neutral news broadcast recording. Ss were then given an opportunity to shock a fellow student under the guise of a learning experiment. The results indicate that male Ss give significantly more shock than female Ss. Female Ss who are insulted and then listen to a hostile broadcast give less shock than those who listen to the neutral broadcast. The reverse is true for non-insulted female Ss. The results were interpreted as indicating the inhibitory effect of violent cues under strong arousal and the facilitating effect of violent cues under weak arousal.