Individual differences in the motivational direction of anger

Abstract

This study investigated individual differences in the motivational direction of anger. One-hundred thirty undergraduates completed the behavioral inhibition/activation system (BIS/BAS) scales, followed by a diary study wherein they rated their positive and negative affect (PA/NA) daily for seven days. We examined the within-person relations between anger and two classes of emotion—those associated with approach motivation (PA) and those associated with avoidance motivation (fear). We also examined individual differences in these relations and whether BIS/BAS sensitivities were differentially associated with these individual differences. Multi-level analyses revealed considerable and significant between-person variability in within-person relations. Approximately 95% of participants had a β for the relation between anger and PA ranging from − 0.52 to 0.36 and approximately 95% of participants had a β for the relation between anger and fear ranging from − 0.32 to 0.80. Whereas moderating effects of BIS on the relations between anger and fear were relatively robust, moderating effects of BAS on the relations between anger and PA were inconsistent. Our findings reveal that some individuals experience anger as approach-related, whereas others, particularly those with high BIS sensitivity, experience anger as avoidance-related. Thus, the motivational direction of anger depends upon individual differences, particularly BIS sensitivity.