Four Factors Affecting Perceived Aggressiveness

Summary

In the first of three experiments a distinction was made between cause (intent) and reason, and predictions about their respective effects on perceived aggressiveness were assessed. Both factors were found to influence subjects' perceptions. A second experiment found the effects of six different modes of harming to vary under different conditions of intent and reason. In a third experiment the four factors—intent, reason, mode of harm, and severity of harm—were all found to influence subjects' perceptions of aggressiveness. Different experimental designs were used to control for demand characteristics. In order to control for sophistication that might be associated with students of behavioral science, employees at a hospital were chosen as subjects in two of the experiments. A phenomenon common for all three experiments—most of the subjects who had attributed no intent to harm to the actor nevertheless rated him as displaying aggressiveness—was discussed with reference to the factors of mode and severity in harm.