Reducing the Tendency to Aggress: Insights from Social and Personality Psychology

Authors

Brian P. Meier, Gettysburg CollegeFollow
Benjamin M. WilkowskiFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-2013

Department 1

Psychology

Abstract

The social and personality psychology literature on aggression has largely focused on the factors that are associated with an increase in aggression such as provocation, violent media exposure, and trait anger. This work has been quite important in developing models of aggression. Less emphasis, however, has been placed on examining the factors that reduce this harmful behavior. We use a widely researched model of aggression to examine some factors that are associated with aggression reduction including self-control, pro-social experiences, and appraisal processes. These variables reduce the tendency to aggress, and our review addresses some potential processes involved. We suggest that a stronger research focus on the factors that reduce aggression can aid our understanding of not only why aggression occurs but also how to control it.

Comments

Original version is available from the publisher at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/spc3.12029/abstract

DOI

10.1111/spc3.12029

Recommended Citation

Meier, Brian P., and Benjamin M. Wilkowski. "Reducing the Tendency to Aggress: Insights from Social and Personality Psychology." Social and Personality Psychology Compass 7.6 (June 2013): 343-354.