Abstract
This study explored how the Pavlovian temperamental traits strength of excitation (SE) and strength of inhibition (SI) were related to rejection and aggression. We predicted that rejection would increase aggression, but that higher SE and SI would mitigate this effect. Participants (n = 117) completed Strelau and Zawadzki’s (1998) Pavlovian Temperament Survey. A week later they were told that a peer wanted (acceptance) or did not want (rejection) to work with them and they were given a chance to react aggressively by damaging that person’s chance of getting a job. We found that only high SE was negatively related to rejected individuals’ aggression. The results are related to the diathesis-stress and catalyst models’ accounts of the role of temperament in shaping experience of social stress.
Highlights
Interpersonal rejection is a major threat to human well-being and so could be considered an intense stressor
Numerous studies have indicated that rejection or exclusion conditions cause more aggressive behavior than an acceptance condition, especially when rejected individuals have no chance of regaining their included status
Our study provided further confirmation of this finding as rejected participants were more aggressive than accepted participants
Summary
Interpersonal rejection is a major threat to human well-being and so could be considered an intense stressor. There is evidence that rejection leads to aggression in laboratory contexts, where it is variously operationalized as the administration of a higher intensity of noise to the target, the allocation of more hot sauce to the target or a more negative evaluation of an interaction partner which might adversely affect his or her job prospects (e.g., Baumeister et al, 2007; DeWall et al, 2010). Research (Rajchert and Winiewski, 2016) showed that temperamental characteristics (strength of Behavioral Activation and Inhibition System) play a role in rejection – aggression relationship. Having a sensitive Behavioral Activation System (BAS) increased displaced aggression after ostracism, whilst having a strong Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS) limited direct aggression (negative evaluation of the interaction partner) after rejection. Other research highlights the role of vulnerability to environmental stressors, expressed in temperamental, physiologic or genetic make-up of individuals (for review see Belsky and Pluess, 2009).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
