In an experiment in which participants were insulted either before or after they learned that the offender was upset due to a low grade (Johnson & Rule,1986),participants were more likely to retaliate when the situation was explained to them after the insult.These results support the idea that provocation is less likely to result in an aggressive response when

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The study found that participants were less likely to retaliate when they learned of mitigating circumstances (i.e. the offender's low grade) before the insult occurred. This suggests that having information that explains or reduces the severity of the provocation can decrease the likelihood of an aggressive response. Apologies (before or after the insult) and excuses were not specifically tested in this study. Empathy may play a role in reducing aggression, but it was not directly manipulated or measured in this experiment.

In an Experiment in Which Participants Were Insulted Either Before