This study used two scenarios to examine how a perpetrator's degree of responsibility and the magnitude of damage caused influence their cognitive and behavioral responses to an expression of anger by their victim. The results show that when the magnitude of damage and perpetrator's degree of responsibility were low, the expression of anger was viewed as being less justifiable, motivated by self interest rather than social concern, and socially inappropriate. It is suggested that these influences can lead to a perpetrator becoming more defiant and less willing to accept responsibility for his/her actions.
