Factors determining substitute behavior and the overt expression of aggression.

Four hypotheses bearing on factors determining substitute behavior and degree of overt aggression have been deduced from the general laws of frustration and of learning, and evidence gathered from a questionnaire designed to permit standardized recall of real-life situations has been presented to substantiate them. Several generalizations may be made: The frequency of substitute responses varies positively with the strength of anticipatory responses to punishment-for-being-aggressive. The frequency of substitute responses varies inversely with the strength of instigation to the frustrated goal response. Overtness of aggression varies inversely with the amount of punishment anticipated as a consequence of such behavior. Overtness of aggression varies positively with the strength of instigation to the frustrated goal response. Overt aggression is more satisfying than non-overt aggression or substitute responses in the sample frustrating situations used in this study. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)