Role-playing techniques: the differential effect of behavior simulation interventions of the readiness to inflict...

Investigated the differential effect of two kinds of behavior simulation (role-playing) interventions: The spontaneous and the mimetic-pretend, on the readiness and the responsibility attributions associated with delivering electric shocks to others (N = 25). Shocks were administered in a teaching situation using the Buss Aggression Machine in the "teacher-learner" paradigm. The results showed that the spontaneous Ss were more ego-oriented and more inhibited in administering shocks than the mimetic-pretend Ss. Unlike the latter Ss, who evinced task-oriented behavior and attributions, the spontaneous Ss assumed personal responsibility for their actions and evaluated the outcomes by minimizing their contribution. Implications for clinical use of role-playing are discussed.