Effects of Trait Behavioral Approach and Inhibition Sensitivity on Behavioral Aggression

• Main Author: Gravens, Laura Christine
• Other Authors: Harmon-Jones, Eddie
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2012
• Subjects: Behavioral Inhibition Sensitivity; Behavioral Approach Sensitivity; Aggression; Personality
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1969.1/ETD-TAMU-2011-05-9408

Behavioral approach sensitivity (BAS) has been found to relate to anger contrary to perspectives positing that BAS is only involved in positive emotions. The present study extends this work by examining relations between behavioral aggression and BAS and behavioral inhibition sensitivity (BIS) measures. Forty-three undergraduate participants were socially ostracized to induce anger, and then given an opportunity to behave aggressively. Higher levels of BAS relate to increased aggressive behavior, whereas higher levels of BIS related to decreased aggressive behavior.