[An analysis of the correlation between trait related anger variables of the STAXI and situational anger reaction in...

In our study we investigated the relationship between anger variables, which are supposed to be stable, and situational variables measured in an experimental setting (EISI-experiment: Experimentally induced stress in dyadic interactions). The correlations of questionnaire data (STAXI: State-trait-anger expression inventory) with self-reported and observed emotions in the anger experiment are presented. Furthermore, we discuss emotional reactions also under the perspective of buffering effects of attributions, that were stimulated during a failure situation in our experiment. Based on the theory of Weiner, we examined the influence of attribution processes on emotional behavior. The effects of this variation are especially interesting under the aspect of the anger process during the experiment. Persons with a low anger-trait are more stimulated by attribution processes than are subjects with high anger-trait scores. Apparently persons with low anger-trait scores get angrier when their cognitive interpretations of the negative outcome is stimulated. These findings are theoretically discussed.