Effects of Direct or Displaced Cathartic Aggression on Subsequent Aggression

Abstract

The effect of an initial opportunity for aggression upon subsequent aggression was tested with 42 male undergraduates. All those in the experimental groups received both a direct and displaced target. The order of the two targets was counterbalanced. Half the subjects knew they would have two targets, while half thought they would have only one. In two other control groups, subjects waited for 5 min. before receiving either a direct or displaced target. The initial opportunity for aggression had neither a cathartic nor a facilitative effect on subsequent aggression. Direct aggression was greater than that displaced in the control conditions and when subjects expected to aggress against only one target. Foreknowledge of the two targets' availability resulted in an equalization of aggression to both.