A systematic review of neural, cognitive, and clinical studies of anger and aggression

Summary & key facts

This paper is a systematic review of 46 human studies about anger and aggression. It found that, at the thinking level, anger is tied to paying extra attention to anger cues and to impulsive reactions. At the brain level, anger is linked with unusual activity in the amygdala and the ventromedial prefrontal cortex. The authors argue that mindfulness-based cognitive behavioural therapy may work better to reduce anger and aggression than CBT or mindfulness alone. They call for more research on how anger is learned and how stress affects its development.

Key facts:

• The review examined 46 human studies that specifically measured anger and its relation to cognition, the brain, or clinical disorders.
• Cognitive findings: anger is associated with excessive attention to anger-related stimuli and with impulsivity (problems with self-control).
• Neural findings: anger and aggression are linked to abnormal functioning of the amygdala and the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC).
• The authors conclude that mindfulness-based cognitive behavioural therapy (MB-CBT) may be more effective at reducing anger and aggression than standard CBT or mindfulness alone, based on the reviewed cognitive and neural evidence.
• The paper notes that state anger (short-lived) differs from trait anger (a longer-term tendency); trait anger can lead to aggressive responses to minor provocation.
• Several reviewed studies linked anger to substance problems. For example, cannabis use disorder and alcohol use disorders were associated with difficulties controlling anger in some samples.
• The review reports links between sleep loss or deprivation and increased anger, and between social isolation (including COVID-19 restrictions) and anger.
• The authors recommend future studies to investigate how anger-related behaviours are learned and how stress influences the development of anger and aggression.

Topics

Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions Stress Responses and Cortisol

Categories

Experimental and Cognitive Psychology Psychology Social Sciences

Tags

Aggression Anger Anger management Clinical psychology Cognition Cognitive psychology Cognitive therapy Developmental psychology Impulsivity Mindfulness Psychiatry Psychology

Substances

Cannabis

Conditions & symptoms

Depression PTSD Substance abuse disorder Difficulty focusing Poor sleep