Escalation of aggression: Experimental studies.

Abstract

A finding commonly obtained in research using the Buss "aggression machine" is a main effect for trial blocks, indicating an escalation in shock intensity over trials. Theoretical explanations for this effect were tested in a modified verbal operant-conditioning situation. In Experiment 1, subjects could administer any of 10 levels of positive reinforcement to a "learner" for correct verbal responses or any of 10 levels of negative reinforcement to a learner for incorrect responses. Half of the subjects were required to begin with weak, and half with strong, reinforcements. Results indicated that, regardless of condition, subjects gave more intense reinforcements as the learning trials progressed. Those who administered negative reinforcements devalued the learner relative to those who administered positive reinforcements. In Experiment 2, a role-playing procedure was used in which subjects administered either positive or negative reinforcements to a learner whose performance either did or did not improve over trials. Again, in all experimental groups, subjects administered increasingly intense reinforcements over trials. The results are interpreted as supporting a disinhibition theory of anti-and prosocial behavior.Much current experimental work on aggression employs what has been referred to as the "aggression machine" (Buss, 1961) as a means of generating the dependent measure (e.g.,

Effects of provocation on emotions and aggression in males

“…Furthermore, few studies have attempted to distinguish the effects of provocation from other variables that could presumably result in the escalation of aggression. For example, escalation of overt aggression has been observed even without increases in provocation [e.g., Goldstein et al, 1975]. Goldstein et al [1975] speculated that increases in aggression over time may be due to a "disinhibition of aggressive impulses."…”

“…For example, escalation of overt aggression has been observed even without increases in provocation [e.g., Goldstein et al, 1975]. Goldstein et al [1975] speculated that increases in aggression over time may be due to a "disinhibition of aggressive impulses." In contrast, several studies have demonstrated that the escalation of aggression is a function of increased provocation, rather than the passage of time [Taylor, 1967;Epstein and Taylor, 1967].…”

Killing Begets Killing: Evidence From a Bug-Killing Paradigm That Initial Killing Fuels Subsequent Killing

“…Other support for this idea is provided by laboratory demonstrations showing that incremental increases in aggression facilitate further and more severe obedienceinstigated aggressive acts (Milgram, 1974). Research has also demonstrated a self-initiated or voluntary tendency toward elevations in aggression over time (e.g., Buss, Booker, & Buss, 1972;Geen & Stonner, 1973;Bandura, Underwood, & Fromson, 1975;Zimbardo, 1973;Goldstein, Davis, & Herman, 1975). In so-called "aggression machine" studies, where participants act as "teachers" administering electric shocks to "learners," the duration, intensity, and/or frequency of the shocks administered tends to drift upwards over the course of successive trials-often in the absence of incentive or pressure to increase the aggression (Goldstein, Davis, & Herman, 1975).…”

Cyprus: From an Argued Past to a Shared Future

“…Also, the atrocities presented in collective narratives of different groups are used to mobilize entire communities against each other (Lemarchand &Niwese, 2007). Harmful acts of the past can bring even more harmful acts in the present (Buss, 1966;Goldstein, Davis, & Herman, 1975). Working through collective memories of trauma, which shape conflict narrative, is essential and more important than revenge, forgiving or forgetting.…”