Does spectator aggression lead to catharsis?
• Berkowitz (1972), Goranson (1970), and Leith (1982)–In these studies subjects that watched violent films were willing to deliver electic shock of higher magnitude to an accomplice as compared to controls that viewed non-violent films. • Fenigstein (1979)–Aggressive male subjects were more likely to select a violent as opposed to a neutral movie. Sport Aggression and Psychological Constructs AROUSAL AS THE “READYING MECHANISM” FOR HOSTILE AGGRESSION Zillman, Katcher, & Milarsky (1972)–Subjects who were both aroused by exercise and angered by shock delivered the highest levels of electric shock to an accomplice. One speculation stemming from this report is that sports that involve high levels of arousal, and a substantial amount of contact, will also result in increased levels of hostile aggression. GENDER AS THE “READYING MECHANISM” FOR HOSTILE AGGRESSION The overwhelming majority of studies conducted on sport aggression involved only male subjects. More recent studies conducted in
