Personality and laboratory-based aggression: Comparing the predictive power of the Five-Factor Model, BIS/BAS, and impulsivity across context

Despite growing interest in the role of personality in the prediction of aggression, few studies have taken a comprehensive approach to the issue. To assess effects of personality on aggression, we compared measures of the Five-Factor Model (FFM), behavioral inhibition/activation, and impulsivity traits across conditions (Equal or Differential ability to harm). Participants (N = 137) competed in an aggression task wherein they received shocks and were able to shock their opponent who they believed had either identical or higher shocks at his/her disposal. Across conditions, FFM Antagonism, and Drive predicted aggression, whereas Extraversion was related to aggression only for men in the Differential condition. Surprisingly, the impulsivity traits and Neuroticism were largely unrelated to aggression. The importance of trait perspectives to understanding aggression is discussed.