Question

​participants in one experiment were either frustrated or not frustrated. they then were given what they thought was an opportunity to administer electric shocks to either the person who had frustrated them or a stranger. this experiment was designed to test which part of the frustration‑aggression hypothesis?

Answer 1

The experiment aimed to test the frustration-aggression hypothesis, which posits that frustration can lead to aggressive behavior, especially if the aggression is directed towards the source of frustration. The study aligns with research such as the Milgram experiment and the Zimbardo prison experiment, which examine human obedience, roles, and the situational factors influencing aggression.

Step-by-step explanation:

Frustration-Aggression Hypothesis Experiment

The experiment you're referring to was designed to test a specific aspect of the frustration-aggression hypothesis. This hypothesis suggests that when individuals are blocked from achieving a goal, their frustration can elicit an aggressive response. In this particular experiment, participants who were either frustrated or not were given what they believed to be an opportunity to administer electric shocks to someone else. The purpose was to see if frustrated individuals would display more aggression, measured by their willingness to administer electric shocks, towards the source of their frustration or a stranger.

One key study by Stanley Milgram explored obedience to authority, which is often associated with understanding why people might commit aggressive acts when instructed by a figure of authority. The participants' behavior in Milgram's study, where many continued to deliver high-voltage shocks despite the evident discomfort of the 'learner', provides insight into the complex nature of human obedience and aggression. The frustration-aggression hypothesis adds another layer, suggesting that aggression is also a result of frustration and blocked goals.

Other famous studies, such as the Zimbardo prison experiment, have also contributed to our understanding of aggression and role adherence, indicating that social context and perceived authority can dramatically affect human behavior. These studies are important for understanding the psychological mechanisms behind aggression and how the situation can influence people's actions.

Answer 2

The correct answer is displacement.

According to Dollard et al.'s frustration-aggression hypothesis, aggression is caused by and followed by feelings of frustration or anger. In terms of this hypothesis, displacement refers to the phenomenon where frustration causes individuals to direct their aggression on to something or someone who has nothing to do with the actual cause or source of the person's frustration.