Social norms, arbitrariness of frustration, and status of the agent of frustration in the frustration-aggression hypothesis.

Some of the conditions under which frustration will produce aggression are further specified. Pastore's work with the role of arbitrariness in the frustration-aggression hypothesis is considered, in addition to two other variables, the effect of social norms, and the social position of the agent of frustration. Based on a sample of 60 college women, less aggression appears when (1) the instructions are designed to stress ideal behavior, (2) the situation is non-arbitrary, (3) the agent of frustration is an authority figure rather than a peer. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)