Laboratory aggression where the victim is a small dog
- Authors
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Knud S. Larsen
Oregan State University
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Jim Ashlock
Oregan State University
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Chris Carroll
Oregan State University
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Susan Foote
Oregan State University
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John Feeler
Oregan State University
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Ernest Keller
Oregan State University
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Gordon Seese
Oregan State University
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David Watkins
Oregan State University
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- Keywords:
- laboratory aggression, victim, small dog, obedience, situational conformity processes
- Abstract
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Earlier experiments in laboratory aggression have demonstrated the willingness of participants to shock human victims as functions of obedience and situational conformity processes. In this experiment, 30 undergraduate college students shocked a small dog. The hypothesis that participants would shock this vulnerable victim less was confirmed. Females shocked the dog significantly less than males, a difference which does not occur for human victims. This difference may be attributed to different empathy levels, and different roles that pets play for the two sexes. Rationale supporting the shocking behavior evolved around the belief that punishment is legitimate and the dog received fair treatment.
- References
- Downloads
- Published
- 1974-08-01
- Issue
- Volume 2, 1974, Issue 2
- Section
- Articles
- License
-
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Social Behavior and Personality maintains an open editorial policy and may or may not endorse the conclusions made in its published articles. Neither the journal nor its publisher, editors or staff assume any responsibility for any material considered to be offensive or defamatory, or for obtaining any copyright permissions necessary for publication of articles.