On the Personality Mechanisms Leading to Violence

Abstract

This chapter presents a theoretical framework that aims to reconnect basic individual differences in personality with cognitive mechanisms of disengagement of moral cognition within an integrative model of youth aggression. In particular, we extend previous research regarding the relations between basic traits from the Five Factor Model and individual differences in irritability, hostile rumination, and moral disengagement, trying to clarify the pathways through which each of the above constructs may contribute to violence. We theorized that basic traits, namely agreeableness and emotional instability, set the basis for specifi c tendencies like irritability and hostile rumination. Moral disengagement was posited as the gatekeeper, able to turn the infl uences of basic traits, irritability, and hostile rumination into aggression and violent behavior.