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The effect of alcohol on male aggression toward female targets

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Abstract

This study attempted to determine the effects of alcohol, verbal provocation, and target strategy on male aggression toward female targets. Intoxicated and nonintoxicated male research participants competed with a female confederate in a reaction time task designed to measure aggression. Intoxicated participants responded more aggressively than did nonintoxicated participants. Verbal provocation had no effect on participants' aggressive response. Effects of target strategy and trial outcome lent support to a cognitive disorganization interpretation of the effect of alcohol on aggression.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, 30602, Athens, Georgia

    Deborah Richardson

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  1. Deborah Richardson
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The author wishes to express her appreciation to Stuart P. Taylor, William Graziono, and Robert Vandenberg for their comments on earlier versions of the manuscript.

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Richardson, D. The effect of alcohol on male aggression toward female targets. Motiv Emot 5, 333–344 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00992552

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