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Fluctuating asymmetry predicts human reactive aggression.

Zeynep Benderlioglu1, Paul W Sciulli, Randy J Nelson

  • 1Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA. benderlioglu.1@osu.edu

American Journal of Human Biology : the Official Journal of the Human Biology Council
|June 24, 2004
PubMed
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High fluctuating asymmetry (FA) and testosterone (T) correlate with reactive aggression in males and females, depending on provocation levels. These physical markers influence sex differences in aggressive responses.

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Psychology
  • Behavioral Biology
  • Human Physiology

Background:

  • Fluctuating asymmetry (FA) quantifies developmental instability and is linked to prenatal stress.
  • Prenatal stress impacts neurological function, behavior, and aggression.
  • FA is proposed as a biomarker for developmental stress and its behavioral correlates.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between fluctuating asymmetry (FA) and reactive aggression in humans.
  • To explore the moderating roles of testosterone (T) and provocation intensity in the FA-aggression relationship.
  • To test a comprehensive model of aggression incorporating phenotypic markers and situational factors.

Main Methods:

  • Measured FA across 11 bilateral morphological traits in 100 participants (males and females).

Related Experiment Videos

  • Assessed reactive aggression through a simulated charity donation task with varying provocation levels.
  • Measured serum testosterone (T) levels and analyzed follow-up communication strategies.

    • Main Results:

    • High FA and high T were independently linked to increased reactive aggression in males under low provocation.
    • High FA and high T were independently linked to increased reactive aggression in females under high provocation.
    • In the absence of FA and T, sex differences in aggression diminished, with a passive-aggressive response pattern observed.

    Conclusions:

    • Phenotypic markers like FA and T, alongside provocation intensity, significantly influence individual and sex differences in aggression.
    • These findings support the role of developmental instability in shaping aggressive behavioral responses.
    • The study highlights the complex interplay between biological predispositions and environmental triggers in human aggression.