Laboratory aggression and personality traits: A meta-analytic review

Among operationalizations of aggression, laboratory paradigms are unique in that they permit precise measurement of aggression while controlling for many possible confounds (e.g., levels of provocation). In the current undertaking, we conducted a meta-analysis of the relations between laboratory aggression and trait-based personality constructs thought to be among the most robust and consistent predictors of lab aggression, including traits from the predominant model of general personality (Big Five/Five Factor Model [FFM]), as well as personality disorder constructs including psychopathy, narcissism, and sadism. Our search yielded 54 usable studies containing 123 effect sizes. Random-effects models suggest that psychopathy, narcissism, sadism, and low FFM Agreeableness are significant predictors of laboratory aggression with small to moderate effect sizes. Impulsivity and FFM Openness also showed significant relations, though they were smaller in magnitude. Thus, traits related to aggression outside of the laboratory also appear to be related to aggression in the laboratory. Suggestions are made for future research in this area, including an emphasis on causal mechanisms and methodological rigor.