The Impact of Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory on Aggressive Behavior

Abstract

Why some people, and not others, exhibit aggression remains unknown. Research points to certain personality traits being linked to either proactive or reactive aggression, or both. The current study attempts to address these gaps from the perspective of revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (rRST). Using 146 participants, results revealed Behavioral Approach System (BAS)-Impulsivity and the Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS) predicted proactive and reactive aggression. Defensive Fight predicted reactive aggression. BAS-Impulsivity predicted proactive aggression partially mediated by Social Dominance Orientation. These findings suggest proactive and reactive aggression are motivated by a combination of anxiety and rapid, approach-motivational personality traits. This study provides further understanding of the specific relations between rRST and aggression, is integrated into the general aggression model, and has implications for treatment of aggressive individuals.

A Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory of Violent Extremist Propaganda: The Motivational Pathways Underlying Movement Toward and Away From Violent Extremist Action

“…Current research, as well as research dating back to the 1930s, indicates that individuals more aggressively cling to external sources of identity to avoid anxiety from existential uncertainty ( McGregor et al, 2015 ). These results are also in line with research indicating that BIS sensitivity positively predicts for both proactive and reactive aggression ( Parker et al, 2020 ). High BIS sensitivity is associated with individual inclinations to states of anxiety, making persons more vulnerable to feelings of meaninglessness and uncertainty, and thus increasing vulnerability to the narratives of extremist or radical groups that prescribe a sense of significance and certainty ( McGregor et al, 2015 ).…”

Angry, anxious, and online: The role of reinforcement sensitivity theory and trait aggression on the impact of exposure to violent extremist content online.

“…Additionally, key variables were centered to correct for multicollinearity in the ordinary least squares regression models, and while satisfactory VIF scores were reached, results may still be impacted. Although trait aggression did not significantly moderate the effect of BAS scores on activism and radicalism intentions scores, this could be due to the constructs being highly related (Borum, 2014; Carver & Harmon-Jones, 2009; Corr & Perkins, 2009; Johnson et al, 2014; Lobbestael et al, 2016; Parker et al, 2022). However, both trait BAS and aggression have previously been associated with susceptibility to extremism (Anastasio et al, 2023; Shortland et al, 2022; Silke, 2003; Twenge et al, 2001), and our findings suggest that trait BAS is a risk factor for extremism regardless of traits levels of aggression.…”

“…Research elsewhere has shown that trait aggression interactions interact to create differential outcomes to a stimulus (Carver & Harmon-Jones, 2009; Johnson et al, 2014; Lobbestael et al, 2016; Parker et al, 2022). Here, because aggression, BAS, and extremism are also highly associated (Gøtzsche-Astrup & Lindekilde, 2019; Kalmoe, 2014), we expect high trait aggression to interact with BAS to increase responses to extremist content online.…”

“…However, with regard to the BIS and FFFS, past research is not as clear. For example, the FFFS has been theorized to control reactive aggression, the “fight” in response to an aversive stimulus (Corr et al, 2013), but this relationship has not been replicated by some (Parker et al, 2022). General aggressive behavior and psychopathic aggression is facilitated by low FFFS sensitivity, but high FFFS sensitivity facilitates relational aggression (Johnson et al, 2014; Moroń & Mandal, 2021; Tache et al, 2018).…”

“…Literature is also mixed regarding the BIS and aggression. Verbal and physical aggression have been negatively associated with the BIS (Carver & Harmon-Jones, 2009; Smits & Kuppens, 2005), but the BIS has also been positively associated with proactive, reactive, and relational aggression (Parker et al, 2022).…”