Cohen et al. (1996) - Insult, aggression, and Southern Culture of Honor: An experimental ethnography

Question 1

Culture of honour definition (insult-aggression cycle)

Answer 1

Insults diminish a man’s reputation which has to be restored by using violent or aggressive behaviour - when small disputes and arguments become contests for reputation and social status.

Question 2

2 causes for culture of honour

Answer 2

1. Lawlessness
2. Great risk of theft

Question 3

Acceptance of kinds of violence

Answer 3

Southerners are more accepting of violence used to protect or answer an insult, but is limited to this type of violence only. Other violence is disapproved of.

Question 4

Results:

Answer 4

1. Southerners behave more dominantly after being insulted
2. Southerners gave stronger handshakes after being insulted
   3.Southerners feel less manly after having been insulted publicly
3. Southerners experienced more hormonal changes after an insult: higher cortisol and testosterone levels