A method to elicit aggressive feelings and behaviour via provocation.

A technique is described which elicits hostility via provocation in a competitive reaction time task incorporating a predetermined failure rate of 50%. When the subject loses he is exposed to a white noise which increases in intensity through the experiment. When he wins he is able to administer one of 8 levels of noise to his opponent. Heart rate and skin conductance level and fluctuations were monitored throughout the experiment. Self-ratings of mood, aggression and anxiety were completed both pre and post task. It was found that the task elicited hostility which could be measured behaviourally, physiologically and emotionally.