Guarding against hostile thoughts: trait anger and the recruitment of cognitive control

Emotion
Benjamin M Wilkowski, Michael D Robinson

Abstract

Trait anger is a robust predictor of the angry and aggressive response to hostile situational input, but it is important to better understand the mechanisms underlying this dimension of personality. The present two studies (total N=106) examined the possibility that individuals low in trait anger systematically recruit cognitive control resources within hostile contexts. These resources would likely be useful in facilitating emotion regulation operations. In support of this cognitive control framework, Experiment 1 found that low (but not high) trait anger individuals exhibited superior response-switching abilities in a hostile stimulus context. Experiment 2 conceptually replicated this pattern using a different cognitive control measure related to flanker interference effects. The convergence of findings across studies provides one likely mechanism for the reduced levels of reactivity at low levels of trait anger. Findings are discussed in relation to broader theories of trait anger and emotion regulation.

Citations

Feb 25, 2011·Journal of Personality Assessment·Michael D Robinson, Kathryn H Gordon
Dec 15, 2015·International Journal of Psychophysiology : Official Journal of the International Organization of Psychophysiology·Marien LievaartIngmar H A Franken
Jul 7, 2012·Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines·Kirby Deater-DeckardMartha Ann Bell
May 4, 2010·Journal of Personality·Benjamin M Wilkowski, Michael D Robinson
May 16, 2015·Cognitive Neuroscience·Henryk Bukowski, Dana Samson
May 8, 2014·Cognition & Emotion·Benjamin M WilkowskiElizabeth Louise Ferguson
Mar 31, 2016·PloS One·Lynette Hung, Richard A Bryant
Oct 31, 2015·The Spanish Journal of Psychology·Raúl J Alcázar-OlánSamuel Jurado Cárdenas
Apr 8, 2017·Scientific Reports·Korina WinterPhilipp Kanske
May 26, 2018·Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback·Marien LievaartIngmar H A Franken

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