Selective activation of traits: Boundary conditions for the activation of anger

Situation- and person-based boundary conditions for the selective activation of traits were investigated during an anger induction. Sixty-one female subjects were studied under rest, handgrip, and vigilance tasks and then under one of three appraisal instructions (Full, Excuse, and Ignore provocation) intended to modify the intensity of an ensuing anger provocation. Dependent variables included emotional self-reports, video ratings of facial expressions, heart rate, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Emotional self-reports indicated more anger in the Full than in the other provocation groups, but no group differences existed in fear, exhaustion, positive affect or interest. Ratings of facial expressions and results of the post-experimental interview corroborated and extended these findings. Diastolic blood pressure responses were largest in the Full provocation group. Moderator analyses showed that person-based boundary conditions were restricted since aggressivity, but neither neuroticism, achievement motivation, extraversion, nor social desirability influenced the anger induction × self-reported anger relationship: The regression function slope of aggressivity on self-reported anger was significantly larger for the Full compared to the combined Excuse and Ignore provocation groups. Johnson-Neyman confidence intervals for self-reported anger showed that across provocation groups aggressivity was selectively engaged only for above-average aggressivity scores. Unexpectedly, aggressivity was also a strong moderator for provocation group × self-reported fear relationships. Selective trait activation as an instance of person × environment interaction was explained with perceived situational demands and mutually inhibitory anger × fear relationships. Propositions regarding the concept of traits-as-dispositions are advanced.