The stimulus qualities of the scapegoat.

Abstract
In the present study 72 college men were distributed evenly among 4 experimental conditions created by a 2 X 2 factorial design. Each S (working in pairs) was first induced to either like or dislike his partner (P). After this, ½ of the Ss were individually frustrated, while the others received a more pleasant treatment. In the last phase the 2 pair members and a neutral peer (a confederate) were brought together to work on a cooperative task. Each S's evaluation of his P and the confederate constituted the dependent variables. The results indicated that the disliked P was the primary victim of the resentment aroused by the frustrating E. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)