Social Psychology

Temperature:

Baron et al (1978) measured the number of riots on streets in American cities and correlated this with the temperature in those cities. A steady increase was found showing that the higher the temperature, the more riots were caused - until a certain point. 

Excitation Transfer Theory:

Arousal triggered by one stimulus can be transferred or added to the arousal of a second stimulus. The combined arousal is then perceived as having been caused only by one stimulus. 

DISCOMFORT ---- AROUSAL (negative affect) ---- AGGRESSION TOWARDS OBVIOUS OBJECT 

Example: Police officers saw a video of a man threatening a participant with a crowbar but did not attack. It was either 21 degrees (condition 1) or 27 degrees (2) in the room. The officers in condition 2 thought the man was more aggressive and expected them to attack more than those in 1. 

The Colour Black:

Frank et al (1988) investigated ice hockey players and…