Thematic Aggression, Hostility—Guilt and Aggressive Behavior

Abstract

Thematic aggression, which was elicited by thematic stimuli of high and low stimulus relevance was related to the aggressive behavior of 98 Boy Scouts who socio-metrically rated one another for fighting behavior. Thematic aggression to high pull cards was related significantly (t=2.63) to physically aggressive behavior, but thematic aggression to low pull cards was not related (t=.01) to aggressive behavior. There was no relationship between self-reported hostility-guilt and fighting behavior; nor was there any relationship between hostility-guilt and thematic aggression elicited by cards of high stimulus relevance. However, hostility-guilt was significantly negatively correlated (r=.36) with aggressive stories told to cards with little aggressive stimulus relevance.