The Influence of Aggression-Evoking Cues on Aggressive Cognitions in Males and Females: Different Procedures – Similar Effects

Abstract

Three experiments examined the effect of aggression-evoking cues on aggressive cognitions related to physical, verbal, and relational aggression and internal states (anger and hostility). In Experiment 1 (n = 40), the priming effect of masculinity threat on four categories of aggressive cognitions was investigated among males; Experiment 2 (n = 46) tested whether exposure to images stimulating negative and sexual arousal induced higher accessibility of aggressive constructs in men; in Experiment 3 (n = 95), female participants completed a self-report questionnaire measuring aggressive behavior, administered so as to activate their aggressive cognitions. All three studies revealed that, when the concept "aggression" is activated, the accessibility of physically aggressive thoughts increases regardless of the participant's sex or the sorts of stimuli used to evoke aggressive cognitions. Thoughts related to verbal and relational aggression, anger, and hostility were not activated. The findings are discussed in terms of the cognitive-neoassociationistic model of aggression in which physical aggression may play the role of the core of an aggression cognition network that is easily activated without spreading that effect on associated constructs.

The Effect of Aggressive Driving on Vehicle Parameters

“…Another method to identify an aggressive driver is through a questionnaire designed to identify the respondent's aggressive road behavior, including verbal and physical aggression, and violations of highway codes [32,33]. According to [34], violations of traffic regulations (speeding, not stopping at red lights, driving while under the influence of alcohol) are perceived as more aggressive than racing, voicing insults, cutting off other drivers, flashing headlights, shouting, tailgating, and making rude gestures.…”