Abstract

The aim of the present experimental study was to examine the effects of cognitive emotional regulation strategies (rumination, cognitive reappraisal, distraction) and triggering event on displaced aggression. The participants (n=114) was manipulated by providing a fake negative feedback on participant’s own essay regardless of the excellence of their writings. Next, participants were randomly assignment to one of the following groups: rumination, cognitive reappraisal, distraction. Then manipulated by the presence or absence of triggering event. Finally, displaced aggression was assessed by an opportunity to harm another person’s (given the triggering event) chance to earn money, allowing aggressiveness to be operationalized through the assignment of more difficult problems to another person. ANOVA results of the study (n=81) revealed the significant main effects of cognitive emotional regulation strategy and triggering event, as well as interaction effect of cognitive emotional regulation strategy and triggering event was significant. That is, Participants in the rumination group expressed higher displaced aggression than those in the cognitive reappraisal and distraction groups when they experiencing the triggering event. And there was no significant difference between cognitive reappraisal and distraction groups. The limitations of the study and implications for future research are discussed.