INTERACTION OF DEVELOPMENTAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL VARIABLES IN SHOCK-ELICITED AGGRESSION

Results indicated that maturation interacted with previous experience with both shock and fighting and with available fighting space in influencing shock-induced aggression. However, the effects of enclosure size and fighting experience, as well as the increase of exogenous testosterone levels, was not great enough to account for the previously reported relationship between age and aggression. Although experience with shock-elicited fighting increased the probability of later aggressive behavior, prior shock without the opportunity to engage in fighting debilitated later aggression. Results were incompatible with a reflexive analysis of shock-induced aggression but compatible with the effects of prior shock on instrumental behaviors. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1969 American Psychological Association.