A Computer Program to Assess Human Aggressive Behavior

Summary:

University faculty have produced psychological testing software to measure human aggressive responses under laboratory conditions using a copyrighted program, Point Subtraction Aggression Paradigm Software©. Specifically, the frequency of subject provocation can be controlled, and the consequent level of aggressive and/or escape responding can be measured. In addition, the effects of environment manipulations or drugs on these behaviors can be evaluated (1, 2). Presently, the software runs on Apple IIGS computers.

During test sessions, subjects accumulate points on the computer screen which can be exchanged for money at the end of the session. Subjects are provoked by subtraction of earned points. The frequency of provocation is controlled by the software. Subjects are instructed that these points were subtracted by another research subject, and added to the other subject's earnings. The subject can respond either by subtracting points from the other person (aggressive response), or by protecting their accumulated points for a brief period of time (escape response). This software can be used to evaluate individual response tendencies, and the effects of other variables on those responses.

Technology Status:

This patent is available for licensing from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

This technology has been copyrighted.

Inventor:

Don Cherek, Ph.D.

Publications:

1) Cherek, D.R., Spiga, R., Roache, J.D., Cowan, K.A.,
Effects of triazolam on human aggressive, escape and point-maintained responding. Pharmacology Biochemistry & Behavior (1991) 40: 835-839.
2) Cherek, D.R., Bennett, R.H., Grabowski, J.,
Human aggressive responding during acute tobacco abstinence: Effects of nicotine and placebo gum. Psychopharmacology (1991) 104: 317-322.