OBSERVER-MODEL SIMILARITY IN THE CONTAGION OF AGGRESSION,

Abstract

Each subject engaged in a 'discussion' with two tape recorded confederates. The 1st confederate expressed opinions designed to anger the subject; the 2nd confederate (the model) then aggressed against the 1st confederate. Prior to the 'discussion,' the subject had been made to feel very similar in background to the model or very dissimilar. Results: subjects who observed a dissimilar model aggressed more toward the instigating confederate than did subjects who were paired with a similar model. Attitude toward the dissimilar model changed radically as a result of the 'discussion.'

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1966
Accession Number
AD0640704

Entities

People

  • Ladd Wheeler
  • Lewis Levine

Organizations

  • Naval Medical Research Center

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Psychology

Readers

  • Brain and Cognitive Science; Experimental Psychology; Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.
  • Theoretical Analysis.