An Empirical Test of a Communibiological Model of Trait Verbal Aggressiveness

The purpose of this study was to test Beatty and McCroskey\u27s communibiological model of trait verbal aggressiveness. In general, this model views trait verbal aggressiveness as an expression of temperament; specifically, that trait verbal aggressiveness represents low thresholds for the fight or flight (FFS) neurobiological system. This model further contends that behavioral inhibition circuitry (BIS) moderates FFS activation by tempering aggressive impulses, otherwise FFS activation would manifest itself in the form of physical rather than verbal attacks. Beatty and McCroskey (1997) propose that low thresholds for stimulating the behavioral activation system (BAS) should be related to trait verbal aggressiveness to the extent that the construct involves a proactive rather than a purely reactive interpersonal function. Because previous research indicated that psychoticism (P), neuroticism (N) and extroversion (E) represent psychological manifestations of the FFS, BIS, and BAS systems, respectively, hypotheses linking P, N, and E to trait verbal aggressiveness (VAS) were tested. A multiple regression equation based on disattenuated correlations explained approximately 46% of the variance in VAS scores. Specifically, (1) the results for P and N were consistent with predictions derived from Beatty and McCroskey\u27s model, and (2) the results for E were indicative of a purely reactive function of trait verbal aggressiveness. Implications for theory and research are discussed

An Empirical Test of a Communibiological Model of Trait Verbal Aggressiveness

The purpose of this study was to test Beatty and McCroskey\u27s communibiological model of trait verbal aggressiveness. In general, this model views trait verbal aggressiveness as an expression of temperament; specifically, that trait verbal aggressiveness represents low thresholds for the fight or flight (FFS) neurobiological system. This model further contends that behavioral inhibition circuitry (BIS) moderates FFS activation by tempering aggressive impulses, otherwise FFS activation would manifest itself in the form of physical rather than verbal attacks. Beatty and McCroskey (1997) propose that low thresholds for stimulating the behavioral activation system (BAS) should be related to trait verbal aggressiveness to the extent that the construct involves a proactive rather than a purely reactive interpersonal function. Because previous research indicated that psychoticism (P), neuroticism (N) and extroversion (E) represent psychological manifestations of the FFS, BIS, and BAS systems, respectively, hypotheses linking P, N, and E to trait verbal aggressiveness (VAS) were tested. A multiple regression equation based on disattenuated correlations explained approximately 46% of the variance in VAS scores. Specifically, (1) the results for P and N were consistent with predictions derived from Beatty and McCroskey\u27s model, and (2) the results for E were indicative of a purely reactive function of trait verbal aggressiveness. Implications for theory and research are discussed

Strategic verbal aggression: Attacking the self-concept to enhance motivation in the classroom.

Numerous studies have identified a variety of negative consequences associated with the use of verbal aggression. This study examines the impact of verbal aggression in the instructional context as strategic verbal aggression. A self-report survey of 552 students enrolled in basic communication courses at West Virginia University was collected. Participants received measures reflecting the teacher\u27s immediacy, competence, character, and perceived caring, as well as indices of the participants\u27 argumentativeness, self-esteem, verbal aggressiveness, and Machiavellianism. Each Participant received a scenario reflecting either high/low intensity verbal aggression or high/low intensity no verbal aggression. Finally, participants were asked to evaluate the appropriateness, future behavioral intent, and motivation. Significant differences were found between each of the four conditions based on participant evaluations of the message. Both of the verbal aggression conditions were perceived less positively than the no verbal aggression conditions. High and low intensity verbal aggression conditions differed significantly indicating more positive evaluations in the high intensity condition for motivation F (3, 549) = 13.80, p \u3c .001 and increased studying F (3, 549) = 6.30, p \u3c .001. Additionally, perceived caring of the instructor was positively correlated with approval r = .19, p \u3c .001 and motivation r = .24, p \u3c .001 in the high intensity condition. Character was negatively correlated with approval r = −.27, p \u3c .001 in the low intensity conditions. The results of this study indicate that the intensity of a verbal aggressive message is a significant contributor to receiver evaluations of the message. The moderate correlations found between source and receiver characteristics suggest that an additional variable may be necessary to better explicate the nature of the positive interpretation of verbally aggressive messages. The implications of this study as well as possible future directions are discussed

Are cognitive representations of friends' request refusals implemented in the orbitofrontal and dorsolateral prefrontal cortices? A cognitive neuroscience approach to ‘theory of mind’ in relationships

Formulating cognitive representations of others' mental states when interpreting behavior (i.e., ‘theory of mind’) rather than merely focusing on the behavior is considered a distinctly human trait which both interpersonal scholars and cognitive neuroscientists agree plays a critical role in the development and maintenance of social relationships. Although brain-imaging studies have led to huge advances in the understanding of memory and language, theories of social relationships remain relatively uninformed by cognitive neuroscience. In the present study, hypotheses regarding the implementation of theory of mind in a relationship context are (a) derived from extant theory and research, and (b) tested via brain-imaging technology. Specifically, spectrum analyses were conducted using brain wave recordings collected by an electroencephalograph (EEG) monitoring oscillations in the gamma range for the orbitofrontal and dorsolateral prefrontal cortices while participants attempted to construct cognitive representations regarding a friend's request refusal. Results indicated statistically greater electrical activity in both cortical regions for participants engaged in the task than for participants in the control condition. The implications of the findings for building a fully elaborated sequential process model of cognitive representations in interpersonal contexts, among other theoretical endeavors, are discussed

Communication apprehension as temperamental expression: A Communibiological paradigm

Over the past two decades, a large amount of research focusing on correlates and consequences of communication apprehension has accumulated. Despite this massive research effort, few viable models of the development of the trait have been proffered. Also during the past twenty years, psychobiologists have made impressive strides toward the explanation of human behavior by identifying underlying neurological processes, especially in affective domains. In this essay, we propose a theory of communication apprehension, anchored in the trait-oriented work of psychobiology as articulated in the temperament literature. Drawing from the extensive work of both psychobiologists and communication apprehension, researchers in our field, we contend that communication apprehension represents individuals' expression of inborn, biological functioning, which has been shown to be antecedent to social experience and, therefore, independent of social learning processes. In formulating our theoretical framework, we (1) present a temperament-based conceptualization of communication apprehension, (2) integrate neurologically-based temperament functions into three fundamental propositions based on communication apprehension research, and (3) discuss the implications of our theoretical position

A Test of the Cognitive Load Hypothesis: Investigating the Impact of Number of Nonverbal Cues Coded and Length of Coding Session on Observer Accuracy

In their meta-analysis investigating the relationship between extraversion and nonverbal behavior La France, Heisel, and Beatty ( 2004 ) found a substantial negative correlation between effect size and sample size, which they explained using the cognitive load hypothesis. The cognitive load hypothesis predicts that increases in coding scheme complexity result in greater opportunities for observer error. To test this hypothesis, the impact of coding scheme complexity on observer error was assessed via varying the number of nonverbal cues coded and the length of observational coding session. The decision to increase the number of nonverbal cues observers coded created 26% more errors, and over time observers made 10% more errors

Is there empirical evidence for a nonverbal profile of extraversion?: a meta-analysis and critique of the literature

It has long been recognized in the nonverbal communication literature that individual differences in extraversion are expected to be most clearly evident in expressive forms of nonverbal behavior. Although several studies designed to examine the correlation between extraversion and nonverbal behavior have been conducted, most attempts to summarize these studies reflect the inconsistent nature of the research findings. Indeed, correlations range from −.36 to .73. The extant literature summaries are limited to narrative reviews, however, which tend to be highly selective. The purpose of this study was to meta-analyze the relevant studies. Results indicated that the mean correlation coefficient weighted for sample size was .13 for the entire sample of studies. Although 63% of the variance was attributable to sampling error, the distribution of correlations was heterogeneous. The remaining variance was due to two methodological artifacts: sample size and the number of nonverbal behaviors coded. For example, hierarchical breakdowns by moderator indicated that the mean correlation was .50 for highly focused studies-those in which researchers concentrated on a few behaviors and limited coding to 40 or fewer subjects. A cognitive-overload model for these findings is offered and corroborated by findings from other research domains. Implications for communication research and theory are discussed. In addition to clarifying the empirical relationship between extraversion and nonverbal behavior, the contributions of this study reside, in part, in its implications for large samples and large numbers of nonverbal behaviors coded in research and for meta-analyses of such research literatures

Self-Reported Extraversion, Neuroticism, and Psychoticism as Predictors of Peer Rated Verbal Aggressiveness and Affinity-Seeking Competence

This study was undertaken to examine whether the relationships reported in the communication literature between Eysenck's BIG THREE personality dimensions and self-reported patterns of communication behavior remain robust when observation-based measures are used in place of self-reports. Target participants' responses to measures of these three personality dimensions were used to predict peer ratings of two patterns of communication behavior, verbal aggressiveness and affinity-seeking competence. Composite measures for variables were based on the results of confirmatory factor analysis, ensuring both internal and external consistency (parallelism). Results of a path analysis, in which targets' responses to personality measures were employed as exogenous variables and peer ratings of verbal aggressiveness and affinity-seeking competence were used as endogenous variables indicated that these data fit the model extremely well. Importantly, (1) substantial variation in peer rated affinity-seeking competence (R=.55) was attributed to the direct effects of extraversion and neuroticism (negative coefficient), and (2) substantial variation of peer rated verbal aggressiveness (R=.58) was attributable to direct effects of psychoticism and extraversion (negative coefficient) and an indirect effect of extraversion and neuroticism mediated by affinity-seeking competence (negative coefficient). Implications for communication theory and research are discussed

Resting Prefrontal Cortex Asymmetry and Communication Apprehension, Verbal Aggression, and Other Social Interaction Constructs: A Meta-Analytic Review

A large corpus of neuroscience research suggests that resting levels of asymmetry in the anterior region of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) underlies the ability to self-regulate emotions and behaviors related to affective traits. Several studies have specifically linked resting asymmetry in the PFC to variables of interest to interpersonal communication scholars. These variables include verbal aggression, shyness and communication apprehension, social competence, sociability, perspective-taking, and interpersonal defensiveness. Meta-analysis of the studies examining resting asymmetry in the PFC and these other variables indicated that (a) an average sample-weighted (attenuated) correlation of .437 (average r = .447 when corrected for attenuation) and (b) all of the variance in r was attributable to sampling error