Balloons: Aggression and Destruction Games

"Balloons: Aggression and Destruction Games" is a 1941 educational film that demonstrates a projective technique used to study aggression and destructive impulses in young children. The documentary focuses on two children, both aged between four and five and from similar backgrounds, as they respond to a series of invitations to break balloons. Through this controlled experiment, the film contrasts their reactions: one child exhibits rigid morality and a strong resistance to his own destructive tendencies, reflecting a sense of restraint and ethical awareness, while the other displays an easygoing, happy-go-lucky demeanor, casually embracing destruction without apparent guilt or hesitation. This study, developed by L. Joseph Stone, offers a fascinating glimpse into early child psychology, exploring how personality and upbringing influence responses to aggression and destruction, making it a valuable resource for educators and psychologists interested in developmental behavior.