Summary: A new study contests the belief that aggression stems from poor self-control. Instead, it suggests that aggression is often a deliberate, controlled act, inflicted to maximize retribution.
This finding, based on meta-analysis of multiple psychology and neurology studies, contradicts the traditional approach of treating violent tendencies by boosting self-control. It implies that such interventions may even enable some people to better execute their aggressive instincts.
Key Facts:
- Aggression does not necessarily arise from poor self-control. Instead, it can be a calculated act of retribution, requiring self-discipline to carry out effectively.
- Evidence suggests that self-control training programs do not necessarily reduce violent tendencies.
- Research indicates that the brain’s prefrontal cortex, a center of self-control, shows increased activity during aggression, further debunking the association between poor self-control and aggression.
Personally, I find the above statement to be very interesting, before I became aware of how ASPD affects my life in a negative way, I would often intend to appear more angered than I actually was in order to achieve some end goal.
Presently, I see my anger as stemming from a lack of control over my emotions and thoughts.
That being said, I cannot say that I am always the master of my domain so I still find this article worth a little bit of light reading.
It’s unfortunate that the headline and much of the article is needlessly sensationalized. The article makes it seems as if our previous understanding had been completely wrong and was now completely overturned, and that’s simply not the case. The new finding is that aggression can be the result of self-control, but it’s pretty clear from the words of the researcher and the abstract of the paper that aggression resulting from a lack of self-control also exists (“We often fail to inhibit our worst, most aggressive impulses. But that is only one side of the story.” and “balanced perspective, which allows aggression to arise from successful and unsuccessful self-control”).
Research indicates that the brain’s prefrontal cortex, a center of self-control, shows increased activity during aggression, further debunking the association between poor self-control and aggression.
That doesn’t debunk shit. It’s obvious why the prefrontal cortex would be active in the case of premeditated aggression, but this finding makes perfect sense even in cases of spontaneous, uncontrolled aggression. In that case, the prefrontal cortex is trying to exert self-control, it’s just failing at it. But that activity would still show up.
Very interesting findings, but the reporting is pretty poor.
Yeah, I agree with you on that. I think the article, and even the researchers, are utilizing a lot of word play between violence, aggression, vengeance, retribution, and anger. I think the study can be useful for showing that more research needs to be done in treating aggressive tendencies in people to make sure the proper methods are being used. However, I do not think it’s anywhere near debunking conventional wisdom.
I think it’s a mistake to too firmly attach aggression to one specific behavioral origin, which I believe is what the study is getting at to begin with. There are certainly forms of aggression that are rooted in defensive behaviors that aren’t well thought out, as well as deliberate and methodical forms of aggression. It’s certainly a misapprehension to assume that all aggression is a result of being unable to control oneself, which does have some implications for how we should be dealing with it.
If, for example, we look at every abuser through the assumption that they simply can’t control themselves rather than that they’ve got a maladaptive way of viewing the world and interacting with others that leads them to use aggression in order to exercise control, we’re likely going to take the wrong steps to try to change that situation.
Lundy Bancroft has said in his book about abusers titled “Why does he do that?” that if a person exhibits self-control in most of their life yet is aggressive/ violent then that person is choosing to be aggressive/ violent in that situation.
The book can downloaded for free at https://archive.org/details/LundyWhyDoesHeDoThat/page/n3/mode/2up
So true. Love this book.
Lundy Bancroft has said in his book about abusers titled “Why does he do that?” that if a person exhibits self-control in most of their life yet is aggressive/ violent then that person is choosing to be aggressive/ violent in that situation.
The book can downloaded for free at https://archive.org/details/LundyWhyDoesHeDoThat/page/n3/mode/2up
Interesting. Personally, there have been situations where I remind myself I should react more aggressively. That said, there are also instances where I regret reacting in an aggressive way, so I don’t know if the study is 100% accurate.
Kinda how I feel, got me thinking about myself a little bit though.
Our prison system is full of people who control their anger appropriately. No wonder the US has the highest amount of prisoners per capita in the world, we are just that good at controlling our emotions and actions.
Guy who ran over BLM supporters in his jeep? Self controlled anger. Guy who shot up country music festival? Thats a calculated self control right there. Shoes got stepped on at the club turned into a murder scene? Accidental control of temper.
From personal experience, aggression is not always a controlled action. I’m a lot better than I used to be, but I have injured myself over things that tipped me over mentally. These reactions were not at all calculated.
Again from experience, I personally agree that programs do little to reduce violent tendencies. For me, it was medication.
I have ASD, and a whole bunch of other things under the personality disorder umbrella. The key is I am aware of my shortfalls and found the solution which works for me.
I have never faked my anger and often hide it. In the past, I would explode. Never on anyone, just myself. Or walls now, I still hide it, but because of my medication I do get to control how I react, which is usually to just go somewhere else, and if I can’t do that, I go away into my thoughts
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