Stuart P. Taylor

Aggression as a function of the interaction of alcohol and threat.

Intoxicated and nonintoxicated subjects competed in a reaction time situation against either a potentially threatening opponent or a nonthreatening opponent. The results indicated that the intoxicated subjects initiated higher levels of attack than the nonintoxicated subjects only in the threatening situation. It was concluded that aggression is not just a consequence of the pharmacological action of alcohol. Instead, alcohol-induced aggression appears to be a function of the interaction of alcohol consumption and the degree of threat or provocation inherent in a particular situation.

The effects of hormones, Type A behavior pattern, and provocation on aggression in men

Thirty-eight male college students, classified as either Type A or Type B based on their Jenkins Activity Survey (JAS-T) scores, competed in a reaction time task that allowed them to administer shocks to an increasingly provocative fictitious opponent. Salivary testosterone and cortisol were measured both prior to and after the task. Aggression was defined as the level of shock the subject was willing to set for the opponent. The results of this study indicate that a relationship exists between endogenous testosterone levels in men and direct physical aggression. Some evidence for the moderating effects of hormones on the level of aggression expressed by Type As was observed. No direct relationship between Type A and aggression was found.

Effects of alcohol and aggressive disposition on human physical aggression

Abstract Intoxicated and nonintoxicated subjects with self-reported high, moderate, and low aggressive dispositions were given the opportunity to administer electric shocks to an increasingly provocative opponent within the context of a competitive reaction time task. Intoxicated subjects selected higher levels of shock than non-intoxicated subjects under low provocation conditions. The highly intoxicated high and moderate aggressors tended to increase their shock settings more rapidly as a function of the opponents provocation than the highly intoxicated low aggressors.

Effects of cocaine on human aggression

Thirty male undergraduates received either a placebo, low dose (1 mg/kg), or high dose (2 mg/kg) of orally administered cocaine. Subjects were then given the opportunity to administer electric shocks to an increasingly aggressive fictitious opponent during a competitive reaction-time task. Aggression was defined as the intensity of shock the subject was willing to set for his adversary. The results of this study indicate that subjects in the high-dose cocaine condition reacted more aggressively than placebo subjects irrespective of level of provocation.

The effects of diazepam (valium) and aggressive disposition on human aggression: An experimental investigation

Sixty male subjects with self-reported high, moderate, and low aggressive dispositions were given the opportunity to aggress, by administering electric shocks, against an increasingly provocative fictitious opponent within the context of a competitive reaction time task. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: (1) 10 mg of diazepam or (2) placebo. Results indicated that diazepam-intoxicated subjects aggressed by selecting the highest shock setting (10) more frequently than did nonintoxicated subjects. High hostile subjects were also more influenced by the aggression-enhancing effects of diazepam than moderate and low hostile subjects. Benzodiazepine-facilitated aggression is discussed in the context of individual differences and the importance for physicians to assess a patients disposition prior to prescribing such medication.

The control of alcohol-related aggression: Redirecting the inebriate's attention to socially appropriate conduct

Forty male undergraduates ingested either a high dose of alcohol or a placebo, and were either provided with a nonaggressive norm or not, prior to being provoked by an opponent during a competitive reaction time task. Aggression was assessed by the intensity of shocks administered by the subject to the bogus opponent. Results suggest that the provision of an explicit nonaggressive norm enabled highly intoxicated subjects to moderate their aggressive responding even in a highly competitive situation. These findings are discussed in terms of current cognitive disruption models of alcohol-related aggression which assume intoxicated persons are unable to process information concerning appropriate standards of conduct.

The effects of alcohol and delta‐9‐tetrahydrocannabinol on human physical aggression

Forty male undergraduates were provoked following their ingestion of high or low doses of either alcohol or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The expression of physical aggression was related to the quantity of alcohol ingested. The high dose of alcohol instigated more intense aggression than the low dose. The high dose of THC, on the other hand, did not increase aggressive behavior. In fact, it tended to produce a weak suppression effect.

The effects of alcohol and extreme provocation on the use of a highly noxious electric shock

Intoxicated and nonintoxicated subjects were given the opportunity to administer a potentially injurious level of shock to an opponent who behaved in either a provocative or an extremely provocative manner. The provocative opponent attempted to administer high-intensity shocks to the subject. The extremely provocative opponent attempted to administer high-intensity shocks and the potentially injurious level of shock. The intoxicated subjects in the extreme provocation condition evidenced the greatest increase in the use of the potentially injurious shock. It was concluded that aggression is a function of the interaction of alcohol consumption and level of provocation.

Effects of Alcohol and Self-Awareness on Human Physical Aggression

The present study investigated the effect of self-awareness on the aggressive behavior of intoxicated subjects. Forty male undergraudates competed in a reaction-time task in which they could hurt and/or be hurt by their opponent. In the self-aware condition, subjects competed in the presence of a mirror and video camera. In the non-self-aware condition, the mirror and video camera were not present. Intoxicated and nonintoxicated subjects in the self-aware condition were less aggressive than subjects in the non-self-aware condition. This effect was observed on the initial trial and under conditions of increasing provocation. The results were discussed in terms of a cognitive disruption model of alcohol-related aggression.

Effects of clorazepate, diazepam, and oxazepam on a laboratory measurement of aggression in men.

The effects of three benzodiazepines on human aggressive behavior were examined in 44 medically healthy men. Volunteers were administered either placebo, 10 mg diazepam, 15 mg chlorazepate, or 50 mg oxazepam orally using double-blind procedures. Approximately 90 min after drug ingestion, participants were given the opportunity to administer electric shocks to an increasingly provocative fictitious opponent during a competitive reaction-time task. Aggression was defined as the level of shock the participant was willing to administer to the opponent. Results support the notion that diazepam (but not all benzodiazepines) can elicit aggressive behavior under controlled, laboratory conditions. Implications regarding the clinical use of various benzodiazepines for the tranquilization of potentially assaultive patients are discussed.