Effects of erotic stimuli on male aggression toward females.

In order to examine the effects of highly erotic films on aggression toward females, male subjects were first either angered or treated in a neutral manner by a male or female confederate. After viewing a highly erotic film or a neutral film, subjects were given an opportunity to both aggress against and reward the confederate. Erotic films were found to increase aggression overall, but there was no indication of differential aggression as a function of sex of target. Results for physiological arousal, however, suggested that aggression was possibly inhibited for subjects exposed to an erotic film and paired with a female. Various suggestions for future lines of research based upon the notion of inhibition are offered, as well as suggestions regarding the sexual arousal and aggression relationship.