The relations between the BIS and BAS, anger and responses to anger.

The relations The relations between the BIS between the BIS and BAS, anger and BAS, anger

and responses to and responses to anger anger

RST and AffectRST and Affect

Beyond their role in motivation and Beyond their role in motivation and learning, activation of the BIS and learning, activation of the BIS and BAS has been linked with affective BAS has been linked with affective states (eg Carver & White, 1994; states (eg Carver & White, 1994; Gray, 1990, 1994Gray, 1990, 1994)). .

The BAS has been linked with The BAS has been linked with positive affective states and the BIS positive affective states and the BIS with negative affective states.with negative affective states.

RST and AffectRST and Affect

Review of the RST and affect research Review of the RST and affect research (Gomez & Cooper, 2007).(Gomez & Cooper, 2007).

Review:Review: Most RST studies have used mood induction Most RST studies have used mood induction

techniques designed to induct general PA and NA techniques designed to induct general PA and NA rather than specific emotion/mood states.rather than specific emotion/mood states.

Solid support for link between BAS/PA and Solid support for link between BAS/PA and BIS/NA. BIS/NA.

Similar to support shown for E/PA and N/NA links.Similar to support shown for E/PA and N/NA links. Link possibly mediated by various cognitive Link possibly mediated by various cognitive

emotion information processing mechanisms. emotion information processing mechanisms.

RST and AngerRST and Anger

Previous research using both EEG Previous research using both EEG (Harmon-Jones & Allen, 1998; (Harmon-Jones & Allen, 1998; Harmon-Jones & Sigelman, 2001) Harmon-Jones & Sigelman, 2001) and questionnaire based methods and questionnaire based methods (Carver, 2004; Harmon-Jones, 2003; (Carver, 2004; Harmon-Jones, 2003; Smits & Kuppens, 2005) Smits & Kuppens, 2005) have linked have linked trait and state anger with individual trait and state anger with individual differences in BAS sensitivity. differences in BAS sensitivity.


Carver (2004):Carver (2004): Hypothetical anger inducing scenarios – Hypothetical anger inducing scenarios –

anger level positively predicted by BAS anger level positively predicted by BAS RR. RR.

Anger reactions to 9/11 positively Anger reactions to 9/11 positively related to BAS Drive.related to BAS Drive.

Some evidence that some negative Some evidence that some negative affects are more strongly related to BAS affects are more strongly related to BAS sensitivity than BIS sensitivity.sensitivity than BIS sensitivity.

Carver (2004)


Smits and Kuppens (2005)Smits and Kuppens (2005) examined the relations between the BIS examined the relations between the BIS

and BAS and trait anger as assessed in a and BAS and trait anger as assessed in a context driven (using scenarios and context driven (using scenarios and guided imagery) and context free guided imagery) and context free (questionnaire assessment) mode. (questionnaire assessment) mode.

They found that both trait anger measures They found that both trait anger measures were predicted by BAS D and BIS; BIS were predicted by BAS D and BIS; BIS became a non-significant predictor when became a non-significant predictor when controlling for neuroticism. controlling for neuroticism.

RST and AngerRST and Anger Smits and Kuppens (2005)Smits and Kuppens (2005)

In a second study, they went on to examine how In a second study, they went on to examine how the BIS and BAS relate to anger-in and anger-out, the BIS and BAS relate to anger-in and anger-out, and physical and verbal aggression. and physical and verbal aggression.

They found that anger-in was related to high BIS They found that anger-in was related to high BIS and low BAS, and that anger-out was related to and low BAS, and that anger-out was related to high BAS and low BIS. high BAS and low BIS.

anger-out and physical and verbal aggression anger-out and physical and verbal aggression were significantly and negatively predicted by BIS were significantly and negatively predicted by BIS and positively by BAS D & FS, but that when and positively by BAS D & FS, but that when controlling for trait anger only the BIS controlling for trait anger only the BIS significantly and negatively predicted the significantly and negatively predicted the dependent variables. Thus aggression related to dependent variables. Thus aggression related to BIS- rather than BAS+.BIS- rather than BAS+.

Anger ResponsesAnger Responses There has been a commonly utilised distinction There has been a commonly utilised distinction

made between anger-in (suppressing the made between anger-in (suppressing the expression of felt anger) and anger-out expression of felt anger) and anger-out (expressing anger outwardly) (Averill, 1983; (expressing anger outwardly) (Averill, 1983; Spielberger, 1999). Spielberger, 1999).

More recently, it has been argued that anger More recently, it has been argued that anger responses need to be broadened beyond a responses need to be broadened beyond a simple anger-in/anger-out dichotomy (Kuppens simple anger-in/anger-out dichotomy (Kuppens et al., 2004; Linden et al., 2003). et al., 2004; Linden et al., 2003).

The broader conceptualisation of anger The broader conceptualisation of anger responses may include direct verbal or physical responses may include direct verbal or physical aggression, indirect or distal aggression, social aggression, indirect or distal aggression, social support seeking and the diffusion or cognitive support seeking and the diffusion or cognitive reappraisal of angry feelings. reappraisal of angry feelings.

Study 1Study 1 Smits and Kuppens (2005) did not examine Smits and Kuppens (2005) did not examine

anger responses to specific scenarios, but anger responses to specific scenarios, but rather used separate, non-related measures rather used separate, non-related measures of aggression and anger coping.of aggression and anger coping.

The current study will examine a wide range The current study will examine a wide range of potential anger responses.of potential anger responses.

Important to distinguish different Important to distinguish different motivations for aggression eg defensive motivations for aggression eg defensive aggression/FFFS, predatory aggression/BAS. aggression/FFFS, predatory aggression/BAS. The current study is not examining The current study is not examining aggression per se, but rather aggression aggression per se, but rather aggression specifically as a response to anger.specifically as a response to anger.

Study 1 - AimsStudy 1 - Aims

To examine relationships between the To examine relationships between the BIS and BAS and trait levels of anger. BIS and BAS and trait levels of anger. Relations between the expression of Relations between the expression of anger in and out, as well as anger anger in and out, as well as anger control in and out will be examined.control in and out will be examined.

To examine relations between the BIS To examine relations between the BIS and BAS and anger level and responses and BAS and anger level and responses elicited by the scenarios contained elicited by the scenarios contained within the Anger Response Inventory within the Anger Response Inventory (ARI). (ARI).

Study 1 - MethodStudy 1 - Method

Participants:Participants: The participants The participants comprised 100 individuals. Age comprised 100 individuals. Age ranged from 18 to 70 years, with a ranged from 18 to 70 years, with a mean age of 34.46 (mean age of 34.46 (SDSD = 11.97). = 11.97). There were 36 male and 64 female There were 36 male and 64 female participants. participants.

Participants were recruited from Participants were recruited from among workers at two pharmacies in among workers at two pharmacies in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia. metropolitan Melbourne, Australia.


Measures: Measures: Carver and White (1994) BIS/BAS Carver and White (1994) BIS/BAS

Scales: Scales: 20 items. BIS, Reward 20 items. BIS, Reward Responsiveness, Drive and Fun Seeking.Responsiveness, Drive and Fun Seeking.

The Spielberger State-Trait Anger The Spielberger State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2 (STAXI-2) Expression Inventory-2 (STAXI-2) (Spielberger, 1999): (Spielberger, 1999): 57 items. Trait 57 items. Trait Anger, Anger Expression-Out, Anger Anger, Anger Expression-Out, Anger Expression-In, Anger Control-Out, Anger Expression-In, Anger Control-Out, Anger Control-In.Control-In.


The Anger Response Inventory (ARI) The Anger Response Inventory (ARI) (Tangeny et al., 1991): (Tangeny et al., 1991): comprises 23 comprises 23 scenarios designed to reflect commonly scenarios designed to reflect commonly experienced situations that may induce experienced situations that may induce anger. Participants are asked to imagine anger. Participants are asked to imagine themselves in each scenario, and then rate themselves in each scenario, and then rate their level of anger and how they would be their level of anger and how they would be likely to react in that situation.likely to react in that situation.

Anger Arousal, Behavioural Intentions, Anger Arousal, Behavioural Intentions, Behavioural and Cognitive Responses and Behavioural and Cognitive Responses and Perceived Consequences of Behaviour.Perceived Consequences of Behaviour.

1 - - - 2 - - - 3 - - - 4 - - - 5

15. You are walking along on a rainy day, and a car speeds past, splashing you with muddy water.

a) How angry would you be in this situation?

not at all angry extremely angry

The next 3 questions are about how you would feel, not necessarily what you would do:

d) How much would you feel like letting off steam?

1 - - - 2 - - - 3 - - - 4 - - - 5

1 - - - 2 - - - 3 - - - 4 - - - 51 - - - 2 - - - 3 - - - 4 - - - 5

b) How much would you feel like getting back at the driver?

c) How much would you feel like fixing the situation?

not at all very much

The next 7 questions are about what you would actually do:not likely very likely

1 - - - 2 - - - 3 - - - 4 - - - 5e) I’d take down the license plate number and report the driver for reckless driving.

1 - - - 2 - - - 3 - - - 4 - - - 5f) I’d figure it was just an accident. The driver didn’t see me.

g) I’d go home, wash up, and change clothes. 1 - - - 2 - - - 3 - - - 4 - - - 5

1 - - - 2 - - - 3 - - - 4 - - - 5h) I’d just shrug it off. Worse things happen.

1 - - - 2 - - - 3 - - - 4 - - - 5i) I’d make a joke about it being “just one of those days”.

j) I’d throw down my umbrella. 1 - - - 2 - - - 3 - - - 4 - - - 5

1 - - - 2 - - - 3 - - - 4 - - - 5k) I’d be furious with myself for walking so close to the road.

The next 2 questions are about the long-term consequences of how you would handle the situation. Looking back over what you would actually do, how do you think things would turn out in the long-run?

1 - - - 2 - - - 3 - - - 4 - - - 5l) Would the long-term effect be harmful or beneficial for you, personally?

harmful beneficial

1 - - - 2 - - - 3 - - - 4 - - - 5m) Would the long-term effect be harmful or beneficial for the driver, personally?


ARI Subscales:ARI Subscales: Anger Arousal, Anger Arousal, Direct Aggression, Indirect Direct Aggression, Indirect Aggression, Displaced Aggression, Aggression, Displaced Aggression, Self Aggression, Anger In, Non Self Aggression, Anger In, Non Aggression, Cognitive ReappraisalAggression, Cognitive Reappraisal

Procedure: Procedure: Participants completed Participants completed the questionnaire package in the the questionnaire package in the workplace without interruption workplace without interruption during designated testing sessions. during designated testing sessions.

Study 1 - ResultsStudy 1 - Results

Relations between the BIS/BAS Scales Relations between the BIS/BAS Scales andand

STAXI-2 – STAXI-2 – Measure CW BIS CW BAS-RR CW BAS-D CW BAS-FS

Trait Anger .21* .08 .31** .10

Anger Expression-Out .01 -.10 .12 .17

Anger Expression-In .38** .04 -.05 -.16

Anger Control-Out -.01 .07 -.23* -.08

Anger Control-In .10 .15 -.20* -.14

* p < .05, ** p < .01


Relations between the BIS/BAS Scales and Relations between the BIS/BAS Scales and the ARI – the ARI –

Independent samples t-tests were used to Independent samples t-tests were used to assess differences in ARI scale scores for males assess differences in ARI scale scores for males and females. The only significant difference and females. The only significant difference was for the non-aggressive response scale, with was for the non-aggressive response scale, with females scoring higher than males (females scoring higher than males (t t = -3.95, = -3.95, p p < .001).< .001).

The mean response across all participants for The mean response across all participants for the anger arousal scale was 3.65 on a scale of 5 the anger arousal scale was 3.65 on a scale of 5 (with 5 indicating extreme anger), indicating (with 5 indicating extreme anger), indicating that the scenarios were relatively successful in that the scenarios were relatively successful in inducing a significant degree of anger arousal. inducing a significant degree of anger arousal.


Measure CW BIS CW BAS-RR CW BAS-D CW BAS-FS

Anger Arousal .24* .16 .24* .10

Direct Aggression -.11 .02 .07 .41**

Indirect Aggression -.02 .11 .12 .31*

Displaced Aggression .04 .01 .21* .23*

Self Aggression .44** .24* .10 -.03

Anger In .32** .16 .18 .12

Non Aggression .09 .33** .11 .25*

Cognitive Reappraisal .07 .24* .11 .06

* p < .05, ** p < .01

MeasureMeasure Anger Anger ArousaArousall

CW CW BISBIS

CW CW RRRR

CW CW DrDr

CW FSCW FS

Standardised Beta WeightsStandardised Beta Weights RR22 ∆∆RR22

Direct Direct AggressiAggressionon

.35**.35** -.12-.12 -.04-.04 -.13-.13 .41**.41** .28*.28***

.18**.18**

Indirect Indirect AggressiAggressionon

.36**.36** -.10-.10 .05.05 -.08-.08 .28**.28** .21*.21***

.09**.09**

DisplaceDisplaced d AggressiAggressionon

.30**.30** .03.03 -.15-.15 .13.13 .19.19 .17*.17***

.06.06

Self Self AggressiAggressionon

.40**.40** .30**.30** .11.11 -.05-.05 -.03-.03 .35*.35***

.12**.12**

* p < .05, ** p < .01

MeasureMeasure Anger Anger ArousaArousall

CW CW BISBIS

CW CW RRRR

CW CW DrDr

CW CW FSFS

Standardised Beta WeightsStandardised Beta Weights RR22 ∆∆RR22

Anger InAnger In .60**.60** .19*.19* -.02-.02 -.01-.01 .09.09 .47*.47***

.04.04

Non Non AggressiAggressionon

.06.06 .01.01 .31**.31** -.10-.10 .20.20 .15*.15***

.14**.14**

CognitivCognitive e ReappraReappraisalisal

-.07-.07 .02.02 .22.22 .03.03 .02.02 .06.06 .06.06

* p < .05, ** p < .01

Study 1 Study 1 The BIS scale positively correlated with trait anger; The BIS scale positively correlated with trait anger;

only the BAS D scale correlated positively with trait only the BAS D scale correlated positively with trait anger.anger.

BIS positively correlated with Anger Exp In but did BIS positively correlated with Anger Exp In but did not correlate significantly with Anger Con; BAS D not correlate significantly with Anger Con; BAS D correlated significantly and negatively with both correlated significantly and negatively with both Anger Con-Out and Anger Con-In. Anger Con-Out and Anger Con-In.

Both BIS and BAS D positively correlated with Anger Both BIS and BAS D positively correlated with Anger Arousal. Arousal.

BAS FS significantly and positively predicted both BAS FS significantly and positively predicted both Direct and Indirect Aggression, the BIS scale Direct and Indirect Aggression, the BIS scale significantly and positively predicted Anger In and significantly and positively predicted Anger In and Self Aggression and BAS RR significantly and Self Aggression and BAS RR significantly and positively predicted Non Aggression. positively predicted Non Aggression.

Study 1Study 1 BAS D seems to relate to tendency to feel BAS D seems to relate to tendency to feel

anger, while BAS FS relates to outward forms anger, while BAS FS relates to outward forms of response to this anger.of response to this anger.

This suggests that the tendency to feel angry This suggests that the tendency to feel angry results from frustration in achieving a goal, results from frustration in achieving a goal, but that the type of response elicited is but that the type of response elicited is largely mediated by BIS and BAS FS. largely mediated by BIS and BAS FS.

Smits and Kuppens (2005): aggression/BIS-, Smits and Kuppens (2005): aggression/BIS-, current study: aggression/BAS+. May be due current study: aggression/BAS+. May be due

to measurement differences in the studies.to measurement differences in the studies.

Study 1Study 1

Different anger scenarios may relate Different anger scenarios may relate to different personality linked to different personality linked processes eg processes eg BAS D might relate to BAS D might relate to anger induced via a sense of anger induced via a sense of frustration that a rewarding stimuli frustration that a rewarding stimuli is not as large as expected (Corr, is not as large as expected (Corr, 2002). 2002).

Study 2Study 2

As part of a study examining how As part of a study examining how interactions between personality traits interactions between personality traits and mood states influence emotion and mood states influence emotion information processing, four separate information processing, four separate mood states were induced: happiness, mood states were induced: happiness, sadness, fear and anger.sadness, fear and anger.

The aim is to examine how the induction The aim is to examine how the induction of an angry mood in a laboratory setting of an angry mood in a laboratory setting relates to BIS/BAS measures and EPQ relates to BIS/BAS measures and EPQ measures.measures.


Participants:Participants: The participants The participants comprised 108 individuals, with a comprised 108 individuals, with a mean age of 25.47 (mean age of 25.47 (SDSD = 9.07). = 9.07). There were 38 male and 70 female There were 38 male and 70 female participants. participants.

Participants were recruited from Participants were recruited from among undergraduate university among undergraduate university students at the University of students at the University of Ballarat, Australia.Ballarat, Australia.


Measures: Measures: Carver and White (1994) BIS/BAS Carver and White (1994) BIS/BAS

ScalesScales The Eysenck Personality The Eysenck Personality

Questionnaire – Revised/Short Form Questionnaire – Revised/Short Form (Eysenck & Eysenck, 1991)(Eysenck & Eysenck, 1991)

Mood Adjective Scale (Mayer et al., Mood Adjective Scale (Mayer et al., 1995): 1995): angry scale included words such angry scale included words such as angry, mad, furious etc.as angry, mad, furious etc.


Mood Induction Procedure (Mayer Mood Induction Procedure (Mayer et al., 1995):et al., 1995): Use of combined background music and Use of combined background music and

guided imagery vignettes.guided imagery vignettes. Mood specific background music was played Mood specific background music was played

for one minute. After this, with the music for one minute. After this, with the music continuing, participants silently read and continuing, participants silently read and focused on a mood related vignette. After focused on a mood related vignette. After 30 seconds, a light indicated participants 30 seconds, a light indicated participants should move to the next vignette.should move to the next vignette.


Mood InductionMood Induction A 2 (pre and post mood angry mood) x 4 A 2 (pre and post mood angry mood) x 4

(mood induction group) ANOVA showed (mood induction group) ANOVA showed a significant interaction. a significant interaction.

Angry mood induction group Angry mood induction group significantly higher in angry mood than significantly higher in angry mood than the other three mood induction groups the other three mood induction groups at time 2.at time 2.


Personality and Angry MoodPersonality and Angry Mood Controlling for angry mood at time 1, Controlling for angry mood at time 1,

only BAS FS significantly predicted only BAS FS significantly predicted angry mood at time 2.angry mood at time 2.

None of the EPQ-R measures None of the EPQ-R measures significantly predicted angry mood at significantly predicted angry mood at time 2. time 2.

ConclusionsConclusions

Additional support linking BAS Additional support linking BAS sensitivity with anger.sensitivity with anger.

Responses to anger appear to relate to Responses to anger appear to relate to both the BIS and BAS: anger responses both the BIS and BAS: anger responses focused inwards relate primarily to the focused inwards relate primarily to the BIS, anger responses directed BIS, anger responses directed outwardly relate primarily to different outwardly relate primarily to different facets of the BAS, primarily FS.facets of the BAS, primarily FS.

Individual differences in BAS FS relate Individual differences in BAS FS relate most strongly to induced angry mood.most strongly to induced angry mood.

The relations between the BIS and BAS, anger and responses to anger.

Documents

Transcript of The relations between the BIS and BAS, anger and responses to anger.