Drawn to danger: trait anger predicts automatic approach behaviour to angry faces

Publikation: Beitrag in FachzeitschriftKurze Umfrage/ÜbersichtsartikelBeigetragenBegutachtung

Beitragende

  • L. Veenstra - , Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) (Autor:in)
  • I.K. Schneider - , Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) (Autor:in)
  • B.J. Bushman - , Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU), Ohio State University (Autor:in)
  • S.L. Koole - , Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) (Autor:in)

Abstract

Most people automatically withdraw from socially threatening situations. However, people high in trait anger could be an exception to this rule, and may even display an eagerness to approach hostile situations. To test this hypothesis, we asked 118 participants to complete an approach-avoidance task, in which participants made approach or avoidance movements towards faces with an angry or happy expression, and a direct or averted eye gaze. As expected, higher trait anger predicted faster approach (than avoidance) movements towards angry faces. Crucially, this effect occurred only for angry faces with a direct eye gaze, presumably because they pose a specific social threat, in contrast to angry faces with an averted gaze. No parallel effects were observed for happy faces, indicating that the effects of trait anger were specific to hostile stimuli. These findings suggest that people high in trait anger may automatically approach hostile interaction partners.

Details

OriginalspracheEnglisch
Seiten (von - bis)765–771
FachzeitschriftCognition and Emotion
Jahrgang31
Ausgabenummer4
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - 2017
Peer-Review-StatusJa
Extern publiziertJa

Externe IDs

Scopus 84958757278

Schlagworte

Bibliotheksschlagworte