Hostile Aggression Research Articles

Five-factor personality measures in Chinese university students: effects of one-child policy?

Since the one-child policy was implemented in China in 1979, many investigators have studied the psychological consequences to children without siblings. Although the results are not conclusive, there is evidence that children who have siblings, rather than only children, have increased anxiety and depression. Whether the differences between students with and without siblings would continue when they reached university age is an interesting question. We used the Zuckerman–Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire to assess personality traits and the Plutchik–van Praag Depression Inventory to measure depressed mood in 134 university students with and 126 university students without siblings. Most students without siblings (93.7%) were reared in urban areas, while 90.3% of students with siblings came from rural areas. Parental professions were higher in social status and annual family incomes were higher in students without siblings. Increased neuroticism–anxiety, aggression–hostility, and depressed mood were found in students with siblings. Gender and annual family income were not significantly related to personality in the two groups, and birth-order position was not related to personality in the students with siblings. In contrast, the depression score was positively correlated with neuroticism–anxiety and aggression–hostility, but negatively correlated with parental occupation and annual family income. The greater competition to receive high education, reduced benefits from society, and lower level of social respect might nurture these personality traits in students with siblings. These findings might, in some limited aspects, indicate that the one-child policy affects personality traits and depressed mood in students with siblings.

Perceived Maternal Control and Support: Effects on Hostile Biased Social Information Processing and Aggression among Clinic-referred Children with High Aggression

Perceived Maternal Control and Support: Effects on Hostile Biased Social Information Processing and Aggression among Clinic-referred Children with High Aggression

Children?s competitive peer aggression during reward and punishment

Behavior-disordered children (N = 65) competed with a presumed unknown peer on consecutive administrations of an analogue aggression task of instrumental aggression (blocking the opponent's game) and hostile aggression (sending the opponent a noise). The first administration as a reward-only, nonpunishment condition. The second administration contained both reward and punishment conditions. Results indicated clear differences on aggressive responding during conditions of reward and punishment. Significant correlations were found between instrumental aggression during reward across the two administrations, whereas correlations between aggression during reward and aggression during punishment were nonsignificant, Teacher ratings of Covert-Proactive Aggression correlated with analogue task instrumental aggression but not with hostile aggression on both administrations. Aggression during punishment was significantly correlated with Continuous Performance Test inattention and impulsivity scores, suggesting that impulsivity and inattention may play an important role in children's ability to inhibit aggression during cues for punishment. These data indicate the utility of a laboratory analogue procedure to assess conditions associated with childhood aggression and to further our understanding of childhood aggression subtypes.

Is it time to pull the plug on the hostile versus instrumental aggression dichotomy?

Psychologists have often categorized human aggression as hostile or instrumental. Hostile aggression is "hot," impulsive behavior that is motivated by a desire to hurt someone; instrumental aggression is "cold," premeditated behavior used as a means to some other end. This dichotomy was useful to the early development of aggression theories and continues to capture important features of nonhuman aggression, but it has outlived its usefulness as a descriptor of fundamentally different kinds of human aggression. It is confounded with the automatic-controlled information-processing dichotomy, and it fails to consider aggressive acts with multiple motives. Knowledge structure models of aggression easily handle these problems. Taking extreme measures to preserve the hostile-instrumental dichotomy will delay further advances in understanding and controlling human aggression. Therefore, this seems a proper time to "pull the plug" and allow the hostile-instrumental aggression dichotomy a dignified death.

Is it time to pull the plug on hostile versus instrumental aggression dichotomy?

Is it time to pull the plug on hostile versus instrumental aggression dichotomy?

Genetics of testosterone and the aggression–hostility–anger (AHA) syndrome: a study of middle–aged male twins

The aim of this study was to determine the genetic contribution to the variation in testosterone and the aggression-hostility-anger (AHA) syndrome in middle-aged twins. Moreover, the relation between testosterone and this syndrome, and possible common genetic mechanisms were investigated. Towards this end, blood samples were collected at two time points; the AHA syndrome was measured using three questionnaires: the Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory with seven subscales, the Jenkins Activity Survey and the Spielberger State-Trait Anger Scale. The results showed substantial heritabilities for testosterone (approximately 60%) and moderate to fair heritabilities for the nine measures of the AHA syndrome (23-53%). The best fitting model for testosterone at two time points included a small age component and additive genetic and unique environmental factors, while a multivariate analysis of the nine AHA subscales resulted in an independent pathway model with two common additive genetic and two common unique environmental factors. No correlation between the common genetic factor influencing testosterone and the AHA subscales was found. We did, however, detect a negative correlation between the common environmental factor underlying testosterone and both common environmental factors influencing the nine AHA subscales, which may reflect a tendency for testosterone levels to rise and hostility to drop (or vice versa) after repeatedly experiencing success (or failure).

Aggressive driving: the contribution of the drivers and the situation

Aggressive driving is defined in terms of the frustration–aggression model. In that context aggressive driving is a syndrome of frustration-driven behaviors, enabled by the driver's environment. These behaviors can either take the form of instrumental aggression—that allows the frustrated driver to move ahead at the cost of infringing on other road users’ rights (e.g., by weaving and running red lights)—or hostile aggression which is directed at the object of frustration (e.g., cursing other drivers). While these behaviors may be reflective of individual differences in aggression, it is argued that the exclusive focus on the characteristics of the aggressive drivers and how to control them is short-sighted. Instead, this paper proposes a multi-factor approach to the problem. Five studies conducted so far tend to support this approach, by showing that specific aggressive behaviors—such as honking and running red lights—are associated with cultural norms, actual and perceived delays in travel, and congestion. Ergonomics-oriented approaches that involve environmental modifications are proposed.

Elevated awaking thresholds during sleep: characteristics of chronic war-related posttraumatic stress disorder patients

Background: Sleep disturbances are one of the hallmarks of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); however, sleep laboratory studies have provided inconsistent evidence of the existence of objective sleep disturbances in PTSD patients. Reports that awaking thresholds from sleep in war-related PTSD patients were significantly elevated compared to normals are discordant with complaints of insomnia. The present study investigated the relationship between awaking threshold from REM sleep in war-related PTSD patients and their dream recall, dream content, and clinical condition. Methods: After informed consent was obtained from 12 PTSD patients and 12 controls, they were investigated by polysomnographic recordings for 4 nights. Awaking thresholds to clicks were determined during 1 night, and dreams were collected during 2 nights. Patients’ symptoms were assessed by the Zung and Beck depression scales, Impact of Events Scale, State and Trait Anxiety, and Symptom Check List questionnaires. Results: Although there were no significant differences between sleep data of patients and controls, PTSD patients had significantly higher awaking thresholds. Awaking thresholds were significantly positively related to depression and anxiety scores. Patients’ dreams were significantly more aggressive and hostile, and in 6 patients they included explicit war-related contents. The severity of the clinical picture was significantly related to the dreams’ scores of aggression–hostility, and to sleep quality variables. Conclusions: Elevated awaking thresholds from sleep are a characteristic finding in chronic war-related PTSD patients, which may help to explain the diverse sleep laboratory findings in this syndrome.

Hostility is associated with a heightened prolactin response to meta-chlorophenylpiperazine in abstinent cocaine addicts

The prolactin (PRL) response to the administration of serotonin (5HT) agonists is an index of central nervous system 5HT activity. This index is blunted in association with hostile aggression in personality and depressive disorder patients without substance abuse. We tested whether the PRL response to the oral administration of the partial 5HT agonist meta-chlorophenylpiperazine (MCPP), 0.35 mg/kg, was associated with a measure of trait hostility, the Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory (BDHI), in cocaine addicts who were completing a 3-week detoxification and rehabilitation program. We also tested whether the cocaine addicts differed from healthy volunteers on their PRL, cortisol (CORT) or temperature responses to MCPP. The PRL response to MCPP was positively associated with the total score on the BDHI. There were, however, no differences in the neuroendocrine or temperature responses to MCPP between the cocaine-dependent group and the healthy volunteers once age effects were controlled for.

Aggression and goal orientations in handball: influence of institutional sport context.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of goal orientations with aggression in male adolescent handball across three institutional sport context, Physical Education, Interscholastic, and League (clubs). 30 handball games were videotaped (10 per context) and observed on monitor by means of a grid allowing the distinction between Instrumental (nonemotional and task-oriented) and Hostile (an emotional response which is an end in itself (aggression. 240 players also completed the "Questionnaire de Perception du Succès en Sport." A main effect of context emerged from 2 separate one-way multivariate analyses of variance for goal orientations and aggression. Univariate F tests and Newman-Keuls post hoc analyses indicated that Ego-goal orientation and Instrumental aggression were significantly higher in the League context than in the other two. Statistically significant positive correlations. between measures of Ego-goal orientation and aggression were observed. Discriminant function analysis indicated that strongly Ego-goal classified players displayed more Instrumental aggression than lower Ego-goal classified players.

P.6.090 Nootropic effects of new drug Curdlipid C6

The prolactin (PRL) response to the administration of serotonin (5HT) agonists is an index of central nervous system 5HT activity. This index is blunted in association with hostile aggression in personality and depressive disorder patients without substance abuse. We tested whether the PRL response to the oral administration of the partial 5HT agonist meta-chlorophenylpiperazine (MCPP), 0.35 mg/kg, was associated with a measure of trait hostility, the Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory (BDHI), in cocaine addicts who were completing a 3-week detoxification and rehabilitation program. We also tested whether the cocaine addicts differed from healthy volunteers on their PRL, cortisol (CORT) or temperature responses to MCPP. The PRL response to MCPP was positively associated with the total score on the BDHI. There were, however, no differences in the neuroendocrine or temperature responses to MCPP between the cocaine-dependent group and the healthy volunteers once age effects were controlled for.

A Two-Factor Model of Aggression

This article synthesizes theoretical material from psychology research into a practical model for conceptualizing violence in psychiatric settings. Relevant research and theory are reviewed, focusing on two important behavioral models of aggressive behavior, hostile aggression and instrumental aggression. The concepts of reinforcement, anticipated rewards, specific and nonspecific stimulus-driven aggression, intermediary emotional states in aroused persons, and the aggression stimulus threshold are developed into a bimodal model applicable to the clinical management of violence. The model provides a broad framework for categorizing, understanding, and addressing aggressive behavior in clinical settings.

Hostility is associated with a low prolactin response to meta-chlorophenylpiperazine in abstinent alcoholics.

The prolactin response to the administration of serotonin agonists is an index of central nervous system serotonin (5HT) activity. This index is blunted in association with hostile aggression in personality-disordered individuals without substance abuse. We tested whether prolactin response to the partial 5HT agonist meta-chlorophenylpiperazine (MCPP) (0.35 mg/kg po) was associated with measures of trait hostility in alcoholics who were completing a 3-week rehabilitation program after medical detoxification. We also tested whether the same 5HT index differed in the group of alcoholics compared with the healthy volunteers. The prolactin response to MCPP was inversely associated with the main index of trait hostility and was similarly inversely associated with an index of depression. There was, however, no difference in neuroendocrine or temperature responses to MCPP between the alcohol-dependent group and the healthy volunteers.

The misperception of aggression in behaviorally hostile men

Three theories linking hostility and health imply that hostile individuals misperceive the hostility or aggressiveness of others. The present investigation was aimed at determining if behaviorally hostile men misperceive aggression in another during a standardized social interaction. In Study 1, male undergraduates (N = 72) underwent a Type A Structured interview (SI) and then rated the aggressiveness of the interviewer. A trained rater rated each subject for Hostile Style based on the subject's behavior during the SI. Finally, an independent blind rater rated the aggressiveness of the interviewer during each SI. Results showed that as Hostile Style increased, so did the subject's rating of the interviewer's aggressiveness. However, the independent rating of the interviewer by a blind observer was not related to the subject's Hostile Style, suggesting that the interviewer did not interact more aggressively with hostile subjects. In a replication using post-myocardial infarction (post-MI) and unstable angina patients (N = 12), a similar pattern of results emerged. These data support the hypothesis that hostile males misperceive the aggression of others.

Personality Profile of Men Using Anabolic Androgenic Steroids

The present study assessed personality traits in three groups of strength athletes, who self-administered anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) at the time of testing, had stopped using AAS since at least 6 months, or had never used AAS. The subjects (n= 14/group) completed the Karolinska Scales of Personality, an inventory consisting of 15 subscales measuring traits related to anxiety proneness, extraversion, and aggression–hostility. Current AAS users differed significantly from the other two groups with respect to Verbal aggression. In comparison to subjects with no ongoing AAS exposure (i.e., previous AAS users and drug-free controls), AAS users were also significantly different with respect to Muscular tension, Social desirability, Impulsiveness, and Indirect aggression. On several subscales, the scores of the AAS users were clearly outside the normal range observed in general population. The present results confirm earlier studies that AAS use is associated with enhanced aggressiveness. Our study also suggests that self-administration of AAS might pave the way for disinhibitory psychopathology by amplifying extraversion-related risk factors.

Psychopathy in instrumental and reactive violent offenders.

Can violent offenders who commit acts of instrumental aggression for goal-oriented purposes such as robbery be distinguished from those who commit acts of reactive (or hostile) aggression in response to provocation? Because violent offenders often have a history of both instrumental and reactive aggression, this study distinguished between offenders with a history of at least 1 instrumental violent offense and offenders with a history of reactive violent offenses. Two studies tested the hypothesis that instrumental offenders would score higher than reactive offenders and nonviolent offenders on R. D. Hare's (1991) Psychopathy Checklist. The first study sample consisted of 106 violent and nonviolent offenders recruited from a medium-security correctional facility. The second study sample consisted of 50 violent offenders referred for pretrial forensic evaluation. In both samples, instrumental offenders could be reliably distinguished from reactive offenders on the basis of violent crime behavior and level of psychopathy. Group differences could not be attributed to participant age, race, length of incarceration, or extent of prior criminal record.

Effects of frustration justification on hostile aggression

The present study tested Berkowitz' [1989: Psychological Bulletin 106:59-731 reformulation of the frustration-aggression hypothesis which states that any negative or aversive stimulus such as frustration, even if justified, will result in some measurable tendency to aggress. Participants' attainment of an expected gratification was either blocked in an unjustified manner, blocked in a justified manner, or not blocked at all. Degree of hostile aggression directed at the frustrating individual was measured. As predicted, justified frustration produced less hostile aggression than unjustified frustration, but even justified frustration produced more hostile aggression than no frustration at all. Results support Berkowitz'frustration-aggression reformulation. ©i995Wiiey-Liss,inc.

Black duck – mallard behavioural interactions in relation to hybridization

Black duck (Anas rubripes) numbers have declined over the past several decades in conjunction with a gradual eastward range expansion of the mallard (Anas platyrhynchos). Introgressive hybridization has been proposed as a principal cause of this decline. We studied a sympatric population of black ducks and mallards to determine the relative contribution of forced copulation and mixed pairs to hybrid production and test the common belief that mallards are more aggressive than black ducks. Mixed pairs (14% of all pairs), not interspecific forced copulation, likely accounted for the 2% hybridization rate on the study area. Sexual and hostile aggression was greater among mallards than black ducks prior to the establishment of territories, but thereafter was similar between the two species.

Children's Relationships with Peers: Differential Associations with Aspects of the Teacher-Child Relationship

Associations between children's social competence with peers and differential aspects of their teacher-child relationships were examined in a longitudinal sample of 48 4-year-old children enrolled in child care as infants. Toddler security with teacher was negatively associated with hostile aggression and positively with complex peer play and gregarious behaviors. Prosocial behaviors and withdrawing behaviors were associated with preschool security with teacher. Dependence on teachers as a preschooler was associated with social withdrawal and hostile aggression. Positive toddler teacher socialization was associated with higher perceived peer acceptance. Preschool teacher negative socialization was negatively associated with complex peer play, teacher ratings of hesitancy, friendly enactment, and accidental attribution and positively related to teacher ratings of difficulty.

Distinguishing instrumental and hostile aggression: Does it make a difference?

An analogue task of instrumental and hostile aggression during a competitive game, modified to minimize overlap between aggressive responses, was evaluated in 8- to 14-year-old clinically referred boys (n = 33). Postgame interviews indicated that the hostile response, an aversive noise, was perceived by over 80% of subjects as hostile and not instrumental. In contrast, the instrumental response, blocking the opponent's game, was perceived about equally as having instrumental and hostile functions. The hostile aggressive response was uniquely correlated with continuous performance task impulsive commission errors (r = .51), which supported the theoretical relation of hostile aggression to poor impulse control. These results suggest that instrumental and hostile aggression can be distinguished and when precisely defined are distinct in theoretically important ways.