The Role of Emotions and Social Information Processing in the Decision Processes of Aggressive Behavior

Abstract

The social information processing (SIP) model is an important element in theoretical accounts of aggressive behavior. Recently, several authors have suggested the integrations of emotions in the SIP model. The purpose of this study was to examine the validity of the revised SIP model of aggression with Japanese young people. In Study 1, 130 male Japanese students were given three scenarios depicting social conflicts and asked to rate the variables comprising the model. Structural equation analysis showed that hostile intent, anger and positive evaluation of aggressive behavior increased aggressive behavior, on the other hand, adaptive emotion regulation strategies decreased aggressive behavior. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that the revised model was significantly better in the prediction of aggression than the original model. In study 2, 82 male Japanese delinquents were given the same materials as study1. The results substantially replicated the results of Study 1, although emotion regulation did not work in this sample. There appear to be two possible interpretations. One possibility is that juvenile delinquents may be likely to engage in aggression because they tend to feel strong anger, and the uncontrolled anger distorts social perception to produce aggressive motivations. The other interpretation is that the research procedures adopted by the study 2 influenced the results. Both studies further indicated that the levels of variables of the revised model were significantly different between high aggressive and low aggressive participants.