Understanding Aggression, Stress and Beliefs.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Understanding Aggression, Stress and Beliefs: can aggression-supportive beliefs together with response to a stressor predict aggressive behaviour.
IRAS ID
263017
Contact name
Ivan Sebalo
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Ethics & Integrity Unit, Research Services, University of Central Lancashire
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 12 days
Research summary
Summary of Research:
The current study will investigate how stress interacts with aggression-supportive cognitions in the formation of aggressive responses among forensic and student populations. Current research has suggested that cognitions supporting the use of aggression play a primary role in such behaviour. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that in stressful situations people tend to exhibit more aggression. However, the interaction of these two potential predictors of aggression has not been empirically examined. Thus, the current study aims to address this lack of research, assess predictive powers of aggression-supportive cognitions and stress reactivity, and thereby further the understanding of aggressive behaviour.
At least 35 male students from the University of Central Lancashire and 35 forensic psychiatric patients from Ashworth Hospital, Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust will be asked to participate in the study. All participants will be asked to complete questionnaires assessing their history of aggression and aggression-supportive cognitions. They will further be asked to complete a moderate stress-inducing task and then to engage in a computer-based task that will estimate aggression levels in their responses. Individual and combined responses will be assessed with regards to physiological measurement and aggression-supportive cognitions.
The main eligibility criteria will include individual’s capacity to provide informed consent, sufficient understanding of the English language, and comprehension of the study. The study will utilise both paper-based questionnaires and physiological outcomes, measured electronically. The study will last approximately 60 minutes and all data will be stored anonymously.Summary of Results:
It was expected that aggression supportive cognitions and stress would be positively associated with aggressive behaviour. An experimental paradigm was used to induce stress and participants were then given the opportunity to behave aggressively. An Implicit Theory “I am the law” was found to be associated with aggression. Also, elevated skin conductance, but not changes in the heart rate, during the stress task was positively associated with aggression among patients but not among students.REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Sheffield Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/YH/0227
Date of REC Opinion
13 Sep 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion