Aggressive Reactions to a Frustrating Phone Call

Summary Ninety male and female Chicano and Anglo Ss were called by six Es who were either polite or aggressive and had either called and hung up previously or not. No differences due to sex or ethnic background of Ss were found nor any effect of a previous ring. However, Ss called by a male E or by an aggressive E were more aggressive as evidenced by their tone of voice at the beginning and end of the call, their comments, and E's overall impression. Particularly in the aggressive condition, but even in the polite condition, Ss increased the aggressiveness of their tone of voice from beginning to end of the call.