The effect of induced aggressiveness on opinion change.

Abstract

The hypothesis that aggressively aroused persons are more influenced by a punitively oriented communication and less by a leniency oriented one than are nonaggressive persons is investigated. One group of Ss is exposed to a failure-insult procedure to evoke instigation to aggression, the other group of Ss to an ego-satisfying experience. Then half of each group read a communication urging punitive -ness toward delinquents and the other half read a communication suggesting leniency and consideration in America''s dealings with her allies. An immediate-after opinion questionnaire followed. The data support the research hypothesis.