ABSTRACT
The frustration-aggression hypothesis is the easiest and by far the most popular explanation of social violence—whether political turmoil, the hot summers of riot and disorder, or robberies and juvenile delinquency. Aggression can stimulate further aggression, at least until physical exhaustion, fear, or guilt inhibits further violence. The instigating stimulus could be an attack by whites against Negroes—a report of police brutality against some Negro—or it might be the sight of aggressive objects such as weapons, or even police. Police probably can function as stimuli automatically eliciting aggression from angry Negroes. The amateur law enforcers do not have a strong association with aggression and arbitrary frustration, and thus are less likely to draw out aggressive reactions from the emotionally charged people.
