The meaning of an observed event as a determinant of its aggressive consequences.

Abstract

Designed 2 experiments to show that the interpretation of an observed event affects the strength of the aggressive reactions provoked by the scene. In Exp I, employing films of either a prize fight or a football game, angry university men (n = 80) were more aggressive toward their tormentor immediately after the movie if the contest had been defined as an aggressive encounter (in which the victors wanted to injure their opponents) rather than a match between professionals engaging in their business. Exp II, making use of a war film, varied the appraisals of 51 undergraduates in terms of (a) the aggressive or anxiety-provoking aspects of the scene and (b) its realistic or fictional nature. After seeing this brief movie, previously angered Ss displayed the most impulsive aggression if the scene had been introduced as realistic aggression. The interpretation of the event as an aggressive encounter had presumably defined the occurrence as an aggressive stimulus, enabling it to elicit aggression-enhancing reactions in the Os. Viewing the event as fictional had presumably caused the Os to dissociate themselves from the scene, so that is was a less effective stimulus. Several alternative explanations for the findings are considered. (16 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved) Language: en