Effects of viewed violence and aggression: stimulation and catharsis

Tests of the catharsis hypothesis involving viewed violence have led to conflicting results. It was suggested that the inconsistencies were due in part to the use of two different types of response measures, aggressive responses and hostile responses. This study involved a direct comparison of the two types of responses under conditions of instigation versus no instigation and aggressive versus neutral film. It was hypothesized that viewing an aggressive film would lead to a decrease in hostile responses (catharsis) and an increase in aggressive responses (stimulation) when compared with a neutral film condition. It was also hypothesized that both stimulation and catharsis effects would be enhanced under instigation conditions. A main effect of instigation was found with subjects in the instigation condition having higher scores than those in the noninstigated condition. A main effect of film was found with subjects having lower scores in the aggressive film condition than in the neutral film condition. A significant Film times Response Outlet interaction was found which offered support for the predicted catharsis effect on the hostility measure. There was no support for the predicted stimulation effect on the aggression measure. The results of the study offer support for the main thesis that in examining the effects of viewed violence, separation of hostile responses and aggressive responses is necessary for full understanding.