The aggression paradox: understanding links among aggression, sensation seeking, and the consideration of future consequences.
Four studies involving 573 female and 272 male college students demonstrated that multiple forms and measures of aggression were associated with high levels of sensation seeking, impulsivity, and a focus on the immediate consequences of behavior. Multiple regression analyses and structural equation models supported a theoretical model based on the general aggression model (C.A. Anderson & B.J. Bushman. 2002), positing that hostile cognition and negative affect mediate the relationships between the aforementioned individual differences and aggression. Sensation seeking also predicted a desire to engage in physical and verbal aggression. The final study demonstrated that relative to those scoring low, individuals scoring high on the consideration of future consequences are only less aggressive when aggression is likely to carry future costs.
Joireman
Jeff
J
Department of Psychology, Washington State University, Pullman 99164-4820, USA. joireman@wsu.edu
Anderson
Jonathan
J
Strathman
Alan
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000374:Aggression; D003071:Cognition; D007174:Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005106:Exploratory Behavior; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires