Effects of modelled censure/support of media violence and need for approval on aggression

Subjects in a between-subjects design viewed a fight-filled video of ice hockey action in the company of an experimental confederate who either openly deplored, watched passively, or, supported the violence. Subjects (N = 179) subsequently completed measures of displaced aggression, aggressive mood, and social desirability. Neither measure of aggression was influenced by the confederate’s behavior. However, an individual differences analysis yielded a social desirability x remarks interaction. Subjects scoring high on social desirability displaced more aggression than lows in the confederate-supportive condition. Subjects scoring high on social desirability additionally rated the film clip as more violent, and, were more critical of violence in hockey and sports generally. The results were discussed against the background of psychological reactance theory.