Two studies were done to examine aggressive behavior in humans. In Experiment One, adults working on a plunger pulling task could receive a 3.5 ma shock at 75% probability every two minutes. The shock was unrelated to their plunger pulling behavior. Subjects could press a toggle switch to deliver electric shock to the experimenter, who was in the…

The Report to the Surgeon General on Television and Social Behavior appears to establish that televised violence, under certain circumstances, may increase to some degree aggressive behavior in children. This finding represents a substantial advance in our knowledge, and we at American Broadcasting Company (ABC) will manage our program planning…

The Surgeon General has stated that the time is here for action, and that the data is sufficient to justify actions. A clear and present danger of the effects of televised violence on children has been demonstrated to us all. The Foundation To Improve Television is presently before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) with a Petition for…

The author compares the aggressiveness of individuals who had a nonaggressive alternative available with those who did not, and assesses the interaction of the presence or absence of the nonaggressive response alternative with the opponent's pattern of attack. Results are discussed in terms of attribution and locus of control. (Author/RK)

The development of new evaluation treatment methods for rapists and child molesters has created unique legal and ethical problems for therapists and researchers dealing with this population. Explores the issues of confidentiality, privileged communication, and informed consent to acquaint the reader with the potential problems. (Author)

Examines the influence of both aggressive and nonaggressive models who are successful or nonsuccessful in reducing aggression from an aggressive opponent. Results are discussed in terms of current research and theory in aggression control. (Editor/RK)

Tests the validity of three hypotheses previously offered to explain the attenuating effects of pacifistic noncooperation on instigative aggression. Results indicated that all hypotheses, norm-conformity, compliance, and maintenance of power, were viable for subgroups of subjects. Also discusses individual differences and the temporarily…

The author examines nine commonly held beliefs concerning the value of physical activities and concludes that, while some may indeed be true, none are inherent to and develop of necessity from the activities themselves. (MJB)

Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children data were obtained from 18 violent juvenile offenders. The similarities ratio was computed and compared with the score from a random subsample of 18 juveniles from a larger population of 200 offenders. There was a significantly lower similarities ratio for the violent group. (Author)

This research attempted to determine whether child abuse influences aggression in young children. The results clearly indicate that abused children are significantly more aggressive than nonabused, normal children in three distinct areas: fantasy, free play environment, and a school environment. (Author/RK)

Three kinds of prosocial behavior (helping, sharing, and comforting) were studied in experimental and natural settings, in 108 children ages 3 to 7 1/2. (BRT)

The study compared child behavior in 21 child abusive and 21 nonabusive matched comparison families. While independent observations showed few significant differences in rates of either child or parental behaviors, both mothers and fathers in the abusive group rated their children as more aggressive and more hyperactive than did controls.…

Results from this study confirmed the hypotheses that child rearing styles characterized by acceptance, a nonauthoritarian approach to punishment, and identification of the child with the parent related to high levels of adult ego development 22 years later. (PCB)

This discussion is a response to the Saarni commentary (Merrill-Palmer Quarterly, October 1987) on the Miller and Sperry report (Merrill-Palmer Quarterly, January 1987) on the socialization of anger and aggression. (PCB)

The possible effect of the label "mentally retarded" to help ameliorate negative attitudes of 126 fourth-sixth graders toward mentally retarded peers with poor social behavior was examined. The label had a protective effect when the retarded child was withdrawn but little effect when the child was aggressive. (Author/CL)