In two experiments, late adolescents who recalled different parent-child experiences performed the Stroop Color-Naming Test while listening lo aversive cues from actors simulating a mother or a father. Generally, subjects experienced more cognitive disruption (as measured by reaction time) when their recalled experience of aversive control matched the aversive cue. In one phase of his investigation of childrearing patterns and schizophrenia. Heilbrun found such results lor the molher-son relationship. The present studies demonstrate the effect with daughters as well as sons, and with father, mother, or both parents as the recalled aversive control agent.