Two groups of 6 preschoolers were matched on baseline aggression level. One group hit a punching bag toy and the other drew on a chalkboard for 5 min. during 19 1-hr. free-play sessions. Aggressive behavior immediately following each treatment was recorded. The groups increased equally in aggression between baseline and treatment.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
FeshbachS.The catharsis hypothesis and some consequences of interaction with aggressive and neutral play objects. Journal of Personality, 1956, 24, 449–462.
2.
MaluckS. K.McCandlessB. R.A study of catharsis of aggression. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1966, 4, 591–596.
3.
MendozaA.The effects of exposure to toys conducive to violence. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Univer. of Miami, 1972.
4.
SteuerF. B.ApplefieldJ. M.SmithR.Televised aggression and the interpersonal aggression of preschool children. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 1971, 11, 442–447.
5.
TurnerC. W.GoldsmithD.Effects of toy guns and airplanes on children's antisocial free play behavior. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 1976, 21, 303–315.