Frustrations, appraisals, and aversively stimulated aggression

Abstract

The frustration-aggression hypothesis advanced by Dollard, Doob, Miller, Mowrer, and Sears is briefly summarized and it is noted that 1) a frustration can be defined as the nonfulfillment of an expected gratification, and 2) the instigation to aggression produced by a frustration is an inclination to hostile (or angry) and not instrumental aggression. The objections to this thesis holding that only arbitrary (or illegitimate) frustrations produce aggressive reactions and/or that only controllable and intentional misdeeds give rise to anger are then examined. Evidence is reported showing that frustrations can create an instigation to aggression even when they are not arbitrary or intentionally directed at the person. However, it is argued that the frustration-aggression hypothesis should be revised: Frustrations produce aggressive inclinations only to the extent that they are aversive and give rise to negative affect. Berkowitz's model of aversively stimulated aggression is summarized, and supporting evidence is cited.

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