AbstractIn a series of three experiments using a restrained target procedure the influence of shock punishment of shock‐induced aggression in rats was assessed. Regardless of prior experience with shock‐induced aggression, punishment resulted in a suppression of the frequency and total duration of the fighting behavior. In addition, possible alternative explanations that have clouded studies of punishment of irritable aggression were ruled out by demonstrating that the suppression was not a consequence of altered parameters of shock frequency and durat