Increasing the Physical Aggressiveness of Women

Summary Ninety-six females portrayed dramatic moods (angry, happy, or no role) in a morning session. After hearing a confederate (C) evaluate them (insult or no insult) in a cognitively separate afternoon session, Ss used shock to evaluate the “creativity” of the C's responses to stimulus words. E sex was also varied. Noninsulted Ss were aggressive in the presence of a female E. Insult increased aggressiveness more for angry role play Ss having a male E than for those having a female E. Implications for behavior disinhibition are considered.