Elsevier

Biological Psychology

Volume 22, Issue 1, February 1986, Pages 69-79
Biological Psychology

A method to elicit aggressive feelings and behaviour via provocation

https://doi.org/10.1016/0301-0511(86)90021-9Get rights and content

Abstract

A technique is described which elicits hostility via provocation in a competitive reaction time task incorporating a predetermined failure rate of 50%. When the subject loses he is exposed to a white noise which increases in intensity through the experiment. When he wins he is able to administer one of 8 levels of noise to his opponent. Heart rate and skin conductance level and fluctuations were monitored throughout the experiment. Self-ratings of mood, aggression and anxiety were completed both pre and post task. It was found that the task elicited hostility which could be measured behaviourally, physiologically and emotionally.

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