Aggressive Script Rehearsal in Adult Offenders: Characteristics and Association With Self-Reported Aggression

Abstract

This study explored the frequency, recency, content, severity, and targets of aggressive scripts reported by 94 incarcerated Australian males. The scripts of participants who reported a history of repeated and severe aggression were compared with the scripts of participants who reported a history of less severe and less frequent aggression. As hypothesized, participants with a history of more frequent and severe aggressive behavior reported more severe aggressive script content and more frequent script rehearsal. Furthermore, participants with a history of more frequent and severe aggressive behavior reported feelings of anticipation and excitement when they rehearsed aggressive scripts as well as an increase in the severity of aggressive scripts rehearsed over time. These results have important implications for risk assessment and treatment of violent offenders.

Results From a Non-Randomized Pilot Study Evaluating the Impact of a Novel Group Treatment Program Targeting Aggressive Script Rehearsal and Emotion Regulation in a Sample of Incarcerated Males

“…Importantly, only some aggressive scripts emerge within the context of provocation; some others occur in a positive emotional state in the absence of provocation (Hosie, Dunne, Meyer, et al, 2021). Intrusive imagery and thoughts are also related phenomena since some scripts are reported by offenders as unwanted (Hosie, Dunne, Simpson, et al, 2021). Finally, emotions have been shown to prime script retrieval and selection (Huesmann, 1998), and script rehearsal appears to function as a maladaptive emotion regulation strategy in violent (Sheldon & Patel, 2009) and sexually violent offenders (Gee et al, 2003).…”

Exploring predictors of aggressive intrusive thoughts and aggressive scripts: Similarities and differences in phenomenology

“…Rather, AITs induce significant fear and apprehension in those who experience them, influencing compulsive behaviors that reduce one's distress and avert the perceived consequences (e.g., ensuring loved ones are safe and not at risk of harm; Rachman, 1997 ; Veale et al, 2009 ). Contrastingly, aggressive scripts are defined as thoughts or daydreams about physically harming or injuring another person and they are used to guide behavior and to regulate emotions (Hosie et al, 2021 ). When studied in violent offender samples, aggressive script rehearsal have been shown to relate to aggressive behavior; specifically, the more one rehearses their aggressive scripts in mind, the more likely they are to act aggressively (Gilbert & Daffern, 2017 ).…”

“…Fewer studies have focused on the role an individual's subjective experience has in aggressive script rehearsal and their appraisal. Hosie et al ( 2021 ) investigated the emotional sequelae associated with aggressive script rehearsal in a sample of incarcerated offenders ( N = 131). The most common emotion associated with aggressive script rehearsal was anger, followed by hate, fear, sadness, confusion, and annoyance.…”