The behavioral approach and inhibition systems' role in shaping the displaced and direct aggressive reaction to ostracism and rejection

• BASD and BASF are positively correlated with displaced aggression.
• Controlling for BAS, BIS is a positive predictor of displaced aggression.
• BASD increases displaced aggression after ostracism in Cyberball.
• BIS is negatively correlated with direct aggression.
• BIS restrains direct aggression after rejection by a peer.

The effect of rejection and ostracism, losing or failing to achieve the interpersonal belonging respectively, on aggressive behavior was already verified in multiple researches. In many cases people aggress more, when they are excluded, however the moderating role of temperament for the effect is not well established. In two studies participants first completed Carver and White's BIS/BAS questionnaire. Next, in Study 1 participants were ostracized or included in an online game and given the chance to be aggressive toward another individual not involved in an exclusion episode by setting the intensity of noise in a different online game. In Study 2 individuals were rejected or accepted by their study partner and completed a job evaluation form for the peer as a measure of aggression. In line with hypothesis, higher BAS drive led to more displaced aggression after exclusion and higher BIS restrained retaliatory aggression after rejection. Inhibition was also related to more displaced aggression independent of experimental conditions. Results were discussed in light of the Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory.