High ANGER and low agreeableness predict vengefulness in German and Chinese participants

Previous studies have found that high neuroticism, low agreeableness, as well as high anger are associated with vengefulness. The aim of the present study was to investigate these associations in more detail. For example, we have included the extent to which trait ANGER may be associated with vengefulness by using the Affective Neuroscience Personality Scales (ANPS), which identify biological correlates of ANGER; hence, possibly also vengefulness. Additionally, data were assessed in two culturally distinct nations to find generalizable associations. Parallelized samples recruited from Germany (n = 252) and China (n = 252) completed the Transgression-Related Interpersonal Motivations Inventory (TRIM-12), the Vengeance Scale, the 42-item BigFive short-scale, which assesses several sub-facets of the Big Five personality factors, and the ANPS. Amongst others, results indicate similar patterns in both nations to explain vengefulness; namely (high) ANGER and (low) agreeableness as significant predictors for both vengefulness scales across cultures/nations. Possible mechanisms associated with vengefulness across cultures are discussed. Additionally we share our German and Chinese versions of the TRIM-12 and the Vengeance Scale and our Chinese version of the ANPS.