ABSTRACT
Aggressive predispositions and tendencies have been at the center of much social science research over the years. Aggression, hostility, and anger have been studied as potentially influential mediators of communication processes and effects. Anger, for example, has been described as an emotional state or disposition “made up of feelings ranging from intensity to minor irritation to fury and rage” (Williams, Barefoot, & Shekille, 1985, p. 173). Investigators have found that aggressive tendencies predicted antisocial behavior in adults, especially as their tendencies interacted with situational factors (e.g., Huesmann & Eron, 1986). They have also have observed links between aggressive attitudes and behavior and exposure to various media and arousing genres (Paik & Comstock, 1994).
