The relationship between state-trait anger, impulsivity and processing of negative-emotion information

by Phang, Hiu-wang

(Uncorrected OCR) Abstract Violent and aggression was found to be closely related to anger and impulsivity trait. The present study aims at investigating the relationship between State-Trait Anger, Impulsivity and processing of negative-emotion information. The negative emotion information was namely anger and violent stimuli. All subjects were students from the University of Hong Kong, 57 men and 26 women. State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory and Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 were used to measure Anger State, Anger Trait and Impulsiveness. Stroop Task, Emotional Stroop Task, and Priming & Probing were cognitive measures adopted for presentation of anger and violent information and measurement of cognitive performance. No mood congruent effect on angej^n/fcHs found in higher anger state and d wa trait subjects on Emotional Stroop Task. No difference in cognitive inhibition on Priming & Probing Task was found between high impulsiveness and low impulsiveness groups. Result, however indicated that subjects with both high anger trait and high impulsiveness performed better in cognitive tasks, showing higher accuracy in recall and recognition of negative and neutral emotional stimuli. Implication of the result and cognitive behavior therapy for treating impulsive and anger individuals were discussed. anger ii