The idea that someone becomes aggressive because of poor self-control is not the whole story.
The experiment found that aggression can also be the result of strong self-control used for revenge.
This study used meta-analysis to look at numerous existing psychology and neurology studies.
It's not what we think it is
Most people often explain violence as a lack of self-control when our aggressive impulses take over.
But this study reveals that highly aggressive individuals aren't necessarily bad at self-discipline, and teaching self-control doesn't always reduce violent tendencies.
Instead, aggression can come from effective self-control.
People who seek revenge often plan their actions and exercise self-control, waiting for the right moment to inflict maximum harm on those they believe have wronged them.
Even those who commit violent offenses, including psychopathic individuals, show substantial development in self-control during their teenage years.
This research challenges the long-standing idea that violence occurs when self-control breaks down, suggesting a more nuanced view where self-control can both curb and fuel aggression depending on the person and the situation.
This study also calls for caution when implementing interventions aimed at reducing violence by improving self-control.
Why it's important
Teaching people to suppress their impulses might reduce aggression in some but increase it in others, especially those who are seeking revenge.
The findings have led to a shift in understanding the nature of aggression, and the researchers plan to continue exploring this complex relationship between aggression and self-control in future studies.
