Cognitive Control Processes and Defense Mechanisms That Influence Aggressive Reactions: Toward an Integration of Socio-Cognitive and Psychodynamic Models of Aggression

Abstract

Research on cognitive processes has primarily focused on cognitive control and inhibitory processes to the detriment of other psychological processes, such as defense mechanisms (DMs), which can be used to modify aggressive impulses as well as self/other images during interpersonal conflicts. First, we conducted an in-depth theoretical analysis of three socio-cognitive models and three psychodynamic models and compared main propositions regarding the source of aggression and processes that influence its enactment. Second, 32 participants completed the Hostile Expectancy Violation Paradigm (HEVP) in which scenarios describe a hostile vs. non-hostile social context followed by a character's ambiguous aversive behavior. The N400 effect to critical words that violate expected hostile vs. non-hostile intent of the behavior was analyzed. Prepotent response inhibition was measured using a Stop Signal task (SST) and DMs were assessed with the Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ-60). Results showed that reactive aggression and HIA were not significantly correlated with response inhibition but were significantly positively and negatively correlated with image distorting defense style and adaptive defense style, respectively. The present article has highlighted the importance of integrating socio-cognitive and psychodynamic models to account for the full complexity underlying psychological processes that influence reactive aggressive behavior.

Negative Urgency and Its Role in the Association between Image Distorting Defensive Style and Reactive Aggression

“…The objective of the present study is to explain the nature of the relationship between image distorting style and reactive aggression, more specifically to demonstrate whether, in non-clinical participants, the relationship between image distorting defensive style and reactive aggression is moderated, not mediated by the negative urgency impulsivity trait. In agreement with the literature about the link between image distorting style and RA [19], we hypothesize that the relationship between image distorting style and RA will be moderated by NU, but will not be mediated by the latter. More specifically, we expect the relationship between these two variables of interest to be strengthened when the level of NU increases.…”

“…This makes sense when considering HAB as a distortion of reality, since it arises from a person's subjective interpretation of it, based on a given context and can be a distorted, or misinterpreted reflection of reality. In Gagnon et al [19], a significant correlation has been found between the event-related N400 in a nonhostile condition and image distorting style, namely between hostile intent attribution and image distorting style. It is plausible that hostile intent attribution/hostile attribution biases are conceptually closely related to image distorting style, given the projective components of hostility.…”

“…Previous research on aggression has demonstrated strong relationships between image distorting style and aggression [18][19][20]. Specifically, the results of a study investigating defense mechanisms and suicide (which can be considered a form of self-harm/auto-aggression) indicate a significant association between the use of this defensive style and the risk of committing a suicide attempt [18].…”

“…In the same vein, in a study carried out among groups of participants with a borderline personality disorder (a psychopathology known to make extensive use of image distorting style and for impulsive and aggressive behaviors [21]), who had either already committed suicide attempts or not, the splitting of the image of others was one of the factors significantly influencing suicide attempts [20]. In parallel, a previous study reported a robust association between image distorting style and the propensity to react aggressively to frustrating or provocative situations [19]. Taken together, these results suggest that using this defensive style may increase the propensity of an individual to react aggressively, either to themselves or to others.…”

“…Indeed, the image distorting style includes several defense mechanisms, some of which are related to the inhibition of dominant responses, for instance, omnipotence [19], a defense in which the subject reacts to emotional conflict or internal and external stressors by acting in a superior way to others as if this individual possesses special powers or abilities [15]. In parallel, NU was associated with inhibition of the dominant response [41].…”