This study investigated the vicarious hostility catharsis hypothesis, i.e., the idea that the experience of vicarious aggression (aggressive film exposure) following aggressive arousal, serves to reduce partially the instigation to aggress and the probability of subsequent aggressive behaviour. Concurrently, three other hypotheses yielding differential predictions were also investigated. These were the Distraction-Attentional Shift Hypothesis, independently suggested by J. Singer and A. Bandura, D. Zillmann's Modified Attentional Shift Hypothesis, and L. Berkowitz's Aggressive Cue Model. Two film segments were produced that significantly differed in aggressive-cue potential and did not significantly differ in their distraction-attentional shift potential (interest, excitement, involvement and enjoyment), or in their excitatory potential (degree of physiological excitation produced by the films). Ss were differentially instigated verbally (angered, non-angered) during a bogus verbal aptitude test after which they saw the aggressive film, the non-aggressive film, or no film. Following this, they either filled out an evaluation questionnaire which was potentially harmful to the instigator and reflected their aggressive behaviour, or they answered a mood check list assessing hostility (aggressive arousal or anger) and tension. Results did not support the vicarious catharsis hypothesis. With respect to the hostility measure, both films reduced hostility in angered Ss to that of the non-instigated groups. There were no significant differences in hostility between these conditions. This was interpreted as evidence for the Distraction-Attentional Shift Hypothesis. With respect to the measure of aggressive behaviour, the instigated groups expressed significantly more aggression than the non-instigated groups. In the instigated conditions, compared to the no-exposure control group, the non-aggressive film reduced aggression significantly. The reduction in aggression following aggressive film exposure was generally not significant. These results could alternatively be explained by Berkowitz's Aggressive-Cue Model or Zillmann's excitation-transfer paradigm. The difference between hostile motive and aggressive behaviour in tests of vicarious catharsis, seems to be indicated in this study.

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