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Reactive vs proactive aggression: A differential psychobiological profile? Conclusions derived from a systematic
Ángel Romero-Martínez1, Carolina Sarrate-Costa1, Luis Moya-Albiol1
1Psychobiology Department, University of València, Spain.
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews
|March 25, 2022
Summary
This systematic review found that reactive and proactive aggression are best understood as complementary, not distinct. Biological markers like genetics and brain activity show shared and specific links, informing potential treatments for aggression.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Science
- Genetics
Background:
- Aggression is classified into reactive (impulsive, provoked) and proactive (goal-driven, low emotion) types.
- Debate exists on whether these aggression types are distinct or complementary.
- Neuroscientific research offers objective biological markers to clarify aggression's nature.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review biological markers (genetic, neural, hormonal, psychophysiological) of reactive and proactive aggression.
- To clarify the relationship between reactive and proactive aggression using biological evidence.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review adhering to PRISMA quality criteria.
- Searched five digital databases and conducted hand-searching.
- Included 157 papers after reviewing 3993 abstracts.
Main Results:
- Heritability explains ~45% of aggression variance, with 60% shared and 10% specific.
- Genetic variants in serotonin transport and monoamine oxidase are linked to aggression types.
- Brain imaging shows overlapping alterations (amygdala, temporal cortex) and PFC activation patterns.
- Psychophysiological and hormonal markers did not clearly differentiate aggression types.
Conclusions:
- Findings support a complementary model of reactive and proactive aggression over a dichotomous one.
- Identified biological markers provide a basis for understanding aggression.
- This review highlights potential therapeutic targets, including pharmacological and non-invasive brain techniques, for reducing aggression.
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