Why We Get Aggressive: It’s Complicated

A new study co-authored by Dr. Ivan Sebalo explores why people act aggressively, especially when provoked. It examines how personality traits, emotional states, and self-control interact to influence aggressive behavior.

The Study Setup
Researchers worked with 151 adults (men, women, and some who didn’t disclose gender). Participants did a self-control task while their brain activity was measured, then went through a scenario designed to provoke them.

Key Findings

• People who had already been aggressive in the past were more likely to continue acting aggressively in the lab, no matter how good their self-control was.

• Feeling angry or upset only caused short bursts of aggression, and only in people with a history of aggression.

• People with low self-control were more likely to react aggressively when they felt hostile, but their aggression didn’t last long.

Takeaway
Aggression doesn’t come from just one cause. Past behavior, emotional reactions, and self-control play different roles, affecting whether someone reacts briefly or stays aggressive longer.