Effects of anger on dominance-seeking and aggressive behaviors

• Published in: Evolution and human behavior 2019-01, Vol.40 (1), p.23-33
• Main Authors: Cabral, João Carlos Centurion, de Almeida, Rosa Maria Martins
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aggression; Anger; Dominance; Emotion; Steroid hormones
• ISSN: 1090-5138; 1879-0607
• DOI: 10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2018.07.006

Anger may have evolved to orchestrate social bargaining behaviors, which ultimately can lead to establishment of dominance hierarchies. Although the relationship between anger and dominance has strong empirical support, most studies have focused on visual cues of dominance. Across two experiments, we tested the hypothesis that anger increases dominance-seeking and agonistic behaviors in those who feel it. In the first experiment (n = 82), we induced anger through a hostile mock debate and measured corrugator electromyographic activity, testosterone and cortisol levels, status-seeking tendency, and aggression using behavioral tasks. Compared with the control group, the anger group showed higher levels of aggression and status seeking, with the moderator effect of anger intensity. In the second experiment (n = 162), anger, fear, sadness, and neutral state were induced by film clips, after which dominance-related behavioral tendencies were assessed. The anger group showed higher dominance scores, differing significantly from the fear, sadness, and/or control groups. These findings reinforce the notion that feelings of anger can cause an increase in status-seeking and agonistic behaviors, leading to possible action tendencies for the establishment of dominance hierarchies.