Impact of Cognitive Control Training on Anger Symptoms and Reactive Aggression

High trait anger is a personality construct characterized by elevations in the frequency, duration, and intensity of anger episodes. According to many social cognitive theories, hostile interpretations of everyday situations contribute to the development and maintenance of anger symptoms. This study will examine the effectiveness of a computer-based cognitive control training task.

Difficulties with anger control are reported in a number of psychological conditions and are associated with social problems, such as dating violence and workplace violence. High trait anger is a personality construct characterized by elevations in the frequency, duration, and intensity of anger episodes. However, the cognitive processes contributing to high trait anger are still poorly understood. According to the Integrative Cognitive Model of Anger and Reactive Aggression (ICM), three cognitive processes jointly contribute to the experience of high trait anger and reactive aggression: 1) hostile interpretation biases; 2) cognitive control; and 3) anger rumination. The proposed study will evaluate the validity of this model in relation to cognitive control using a computer-based cognitive control training (CCT) program.

Participants in this arm will complete a computer-based training program two times in the lab. Participants will complete the first training session in the lab during their initial visit and they will return to the lab one week later to complete the second session.

Participants in this arm will complete a sham training program two times in the lab. The program will look similar in length and design to the experimental training program, but the content of the program will remain affectively neutral. As in the experimental condition, participants will complete the first training session in the lab during their initial visit and they will return to the lab one week later to complete the second session.

A computer-based flanker task that aims to reinforce the recruitment of cognitive control in the presence of hostile/aggressive stimuli.

A placebo version of the computer-based cognitive control training. Designed to appear similar to the experimental task, but will not reinforce the recruitment of cognitive control in the presence of hostile/aggressive stimuli.

Administered two times over the course of one week. Changes will be examined from visit 1 (before CCT training program) to visit 2 (after CCT training program)

Administered two times over the course of one week. Changes will be examined from visit 1 (before CCT training program) to visit 2 (after CCT training program)

A self-report measure of the degree to individuals focus on experiences with anger. The scale is comprised of four subscales, angry after thoughts (e.g., "Whenever I experience anger, I keep thinking about it for a while"), angry memories (e.g., "I re-enact the anger episode in my mind after it has happened"), understanding causes (e.g., "When someone provokes me, I keep wondering why this should have happened to me"), and thoughts of revenge (e.g. "I have difficulty forgiving people who have hurt me."). Participants will be asked to read each item and rate it in terms of how well it reflects their experience on a 4-point scale from 1 ("almost never") to 4 ("almost always"). Totals for each sub scale will be summed to produce a total score (range: 19-76), with higher scores indicating a greater propensity for rumination.

Administered two times over the course of one week. Changes will be examined from visit 1 (before CCT training program) to visit 2 (after CCT training program)

A self-report measure of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms.Items are summed for each subscale to create subscale totals (i.e., depression, anxiety, and stress), with higher scores reflecting more severe emotional distress. Symptom score ranges include: normal (0-4), mild (5-6), moderate (7-10), severe (11-13), and extremely severe (14+).

Administered two times over the course of one week. Changes will be examined from visit 1 (before CCT training program) to visit 2 (after CCT training program)

Administered two times over the course of one week. Changes will be examined from visit 1 (before CCT training program) to visit 2 (after CCT training program)

A self-report measure of one's ability to suppress inappropriate approach behavior, to perform an action when there is a strong tendency to avoid it, and to shift or focus behaviour.

Administered two times over the course of one week. Changes will be examined from visit 1 (before CCT training program) to visit 2 (after CCT training program)

Administered two times over the course of one week. Changes will be examined from visit 1 (before CCT training program) to visit 2 (after CCT training program)

Administered one time over the course of one week. Participants will be exposed to the paradigm following the second training session.]

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Score of 22 or higher on the Trait Anger Scale. Exclusion Criteria: Reports currently receiving psychological treatment or counseling for anger management difficulties. Reports changes in psychiatric medication within the last month. Endorsement of current psychosis or bipolar disorder symptoms. Indicates poor English language proficiency. Reports clinically significant suicidal ideation, intent, or plan.

The results of this study will be disseminated through conference presentations, journal publications, and through the lab website. Anonymized aggregate participant data may be made available upon request to a publishing journal or individual research group. However, research groups interested in accessing anonymized data will be required to submit a proposal detailing their intended use of the data. Their qualifications will be reviewed based on their proposal and CVs. Individual research groups approved for access will be required to agree to not attempt to re-identify participants, not further distribute data, and not use the data for purposes other than specified in their original proposal. No individual data will be shared.

Wilkowski BM, Robinson MD. The cognitive basis of trait anger and reactive aggression: an integrative analysis. Pers Soc Psychol Rev. 2008 Feb;12(1):3-21. doi: 10.1177/1088868307309874. Epub 2007 Dec 18.