The relationship between impulsivity and aggressiveness.

This pair of psychological constructs are linked to physical and psychological violence.

Nowadays we can observe a notable increase in the problems associated with aggressiveness and violence in our society.. One of the reasons that seems to be pointed out as a key role in this issue is impulsivity.

In the theory proposed by E.S. Barrat, it is proposed that certain stimuli elicit or provoke feelings of anger that can generate aggressive behavior. The socialization process sometimes works as a protective factor to inhibit this aggressive behavior, but sometimes we find precisely that impulsivity is often associated with certain deficits in these inhibition mechanisms. The result is that people with high levels of impulsivity have problems inhibiting their aggressive behaviors. when they are exposed to the emotion of anger.

In this case, María José Polo, psychologist collaborator of Psicólogos Málaga PsicoAbreu talks to us about the relationship between impulsivity and aggressive behavior.

The link between aggressiveness and impulsivity.

Throughout our lives we are continually exposed to having to make impulsive decisions; it is an everyday part of our daily lives. Sometimes these decisions can bring us positive consequences, but at other times they can also result in negative consequences that we may regret.

According to Dickman's theory two types of impulsivity can be distinguished; functional impulsivity and dysfunctional impulsivity..

Functional impulsivity would be defined as the tendency to make quick decisions when the situation implies a personal benefit, it would be a decision making with risk calculation included.

However, dysfunctional impulsivity would be defined as the tendency to make quick and thoughtless decisions in situations in which our strategy is not the optimal one, this usually entails a series of negative consequences for the person in question.

Impulsivity can sometimes lead to aggressive behavior including verbal aggression. Signs or characteristics of impulsive behavior are related to impatience, the tendency to search for risk and pleasure, the need for immediate reward, problems in making an adequate analysis of the situation, and problems in making an adequate analysis of the situation.The signs or characteristics of impulsive behavior are related to impatience, the tendency to seek risk and pleasure, the need for immediate reward, problems in making an adequate analysis of the consequences of their own actions, difficulty in inhibiting behaviors, problems in planning and difficulties in self-control.

The various causes of onset are related to biological, psychological and social variables. From the psychological perspective, there are different approaches that suggest that impulsive behavior is the result of observation and imitation by vicarious learning of an aggressive model.

Numerous investigations find a direct relationship between the educational style of the family environment and the establishment in the child (and later adult) of certain behaviors associated with family values. Exposure to aggressive models could have a negative influence on the child's personality.generating in childhood and adulthood, self-esteem problems, fear of relating to others, low mood, etc.

In addition to the family environment, the importance of the social interaction that takes place in the school or work context in the development of the individual's personality must be recognized. Unsuccessful or scarce social relationships may deprive the child of situations in which to learn to become frustrated in an adequate manner, and in adulthood he/she may show angry and aggressive behaviors in the event of any conflict, even minor ones.

Verbal aggression

Verbal aggressive behavior occurs when the words we use, the tone used or the gestures we use to emphasize the language create a sense of intimidation, fear, guilt or shame in the other person. Violent verbal behavior is characterized by threats, insults, criticisms, shouting, orders and value judgments..

Therapeutic Treatment for Impulsivity and Aggressiveness

Impulse control psychologists can provide patients with resources to improve self-esteem, assertiveness, social skills, self-control and relaxation.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy can act on three different levels.

Cognitive

The psychologist must work with the person's distorted thoughts, helping him/her to identify and correct irrational ideas or dysfunctional beliefs.helping him/her to identify and correct irrational ideas or dysfunctional beliefs. In addition, the obtaining of new alternative responses to the resolution of future conflicts will be facilitated.

Behavioral

At this point of the therapy we work on different techniques to try to inhibit aggressive behavior or at least reduce its frequency and intensity.. One of the most used techniques is "time out" where the person withdraws from the environment where the aggressive behavior usually occurs. This behavior gives us the opportunity to observe the changes (usually positive) of not making a decision "in the heat of the moment".

Emotional

At this point in the therapy, the patient is given tools to learn to identify the emotional indicators that usually appear just before the violent behavior. The recognition of these signs is often useful to anticipate and control the aggressive behavior. and control that the aggressive behavior does not appear.

Coping techniques such as relaxation techniques and concentration techniques or Mindfulness can be of great help. It will also be important to generate alternatives for more appropriate emotional expression; in this sense, knowing and training assertive communication can become a key element for people with problems of aggressive verbal behavior and impulsivity.