This study investigated the effects of three gaze patterns-staring, normal looking, glancing and avoiding eye contact-and verbal insult on instrumental aggression. It was hypothesized that the experimental manipulation of verbal insult will: (1) not affect shock intensity or duration (2) not increase the subjects self-reported hostility, and (3) cause the subjects to report greater dislike for the insulting victim. In regards to the victim's gaze patterns, it was hypothesized that: (4) the victim's stare will decrease intensity and duration of shock delivered by the subjects and that (5) the victim's visual avoidance behavior will cause the subjects to administer shocks of greater intensity and duration. Forty-eight male undergraduate subjects were randomly assigned to the cells in a 2x3x3 factorial design. The major measurement apparatus was a modified Bus Aggression Machine (BAM). The results showed that the insult condition was apparently not effective in arousing the subjects emotionally, and that gaze patterns did not significantly influence the intensity of the subjects' emotions. (Author/BW)