| The current study investigated cross-cultural differences in anger and aggression as a function of the perceived intent and blameworthiness of a hypothetical provocateur in adverse social situations. A survey experiment method was used to test differences in perception, self-reported anger, indirect, and overt aggression across cultures, genders, and in- vs. outgroup targets of hostility. The study sample consisted of 410 college students in the US (N = 125), Turkey (N = 127), and China (N = 158). Results show that the US and Turkish respondents were more likely than their Chinese counterparts to perceive aggressive intent in a provocateur's actions and blame the provocateur for the negative outcome in ambiguous social interactions. Also, the US and Turkish participants were more angered by the negative interaction compared to the Chinese. The Turkish alone were more likely to show indirect ("do something to get even") and overt ("have it out with him/her right then and there!") aggression towards the provocateur. Males in all cultures were more likely than females to get even as a result of the adverse interaction. No outgroup effect was found. Blameworthiness was a more potent instigator of overt aggression than perceived intent. Also discussed are how perceptions of hostility can be endemic to a particular culture and used to explain the root causes of violent conflict. |
