The Effect of MAOA Gene × Gender on the Relationship between Negative Network News Browsing Preference and Aggression among College Students

Abstract

The present research aims to examine whether and how the negative network news browsing preference (NNNBP) affect individual’s aggression. Two studies were conducted in the current research: study 1 developed a new measurement scale—network news browsing preference questionnaire(NNBPQ). The results indicated it had appropriate reliability (Cronbach’s α = 0.93) and validity (χ 2 /df = 1.92, CFI = 0.94, NFI = 0.89, GFI = 0.89，TLI = 0.94，RMSEA = 0.05) , which was conformed to psychometrics standards, and could be used for further study. Study 2 explored the relationship between NNNBP and aggression, and the moderate effect of MAOA gene × gender among 352 college students. The results indicated that: (a) NNNBP could positively predict male college students’ hostility and total score. It also could positively predict female college students’ physical aggression, verbal aggression, hostility and total score. (b) MAOA Gene × gender had moderate effect on the relationship between NNNBP and aggression; more specially, NNNBP could positively predict female G allele carriers’ physical aggression and hostility, while didn’t show significant under other conditions. Finally, the limitations and future prospects of the present research were discussed.