Citation

Bettencourt BA, Miller N. Psychol. Bull. 1996; 119(3): 422-447.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1996, American Psychological Association)

DOI

10.1037/0033-2909.119.3.422

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In this article, we meta-analytically examine experimental studies to assess the moderating effect of provocation on gender differences in aggression. Convergent evidence shows that, whereas unprovoked men are more aggressive than women, provocation markedly attenuates this gender difference. Gender differences in appraisals of provocation intensity and fear of danger from retaliation (but not negative affect) partially mediate the attenuating effect of provocation. However, they do not entirely account for its manipulated effect. Type of provocation and other contextual variables also affect the magnitude of gender differences in aggression. The results support a social role analysis of gender differences in aggression and counter A. H. Eagly and V. Steffen's (see record 1987-10140-001) meta-analytic inability to confirm an attenuating effect of provocation on gender differences in aggression. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)