Arbitrariness of frustration and aggression.

Pastore (1952) suggested a revision to the frustration-aggression hypothesis of Dollard, et al, 1939, viz., whether or not aggression appears after a frustrating experience depends upon the perceived arbitrariness of the frustration. The present research tests this hypothesis under conditions of nonarbitrariness of frustration, adding the dimensions of reasonableness and expectedness of the frustration. Expectation of frustration alone and in interaction with reasonableness reduced the number of potential aggressive responses directed externally, and increased those directed against the self. From Psyc Abstracts 36:04:4HJ83K. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)