A neuropsychological model relating self-awareness to hostility

Neuropsychol Rev. 1997 Dec;7(4):171-85. doi: 10.1023/b:nerv.0000005908.72548.10.

Abstract

Neuropsychological advances may help researchers better understand the relationship between psychological constructs. This paper proposes a neuropsychological model explaining the negative relationship between hostility and "self-awareness," which has been suggested by previous research [H. A. Demaree and D. W. Harrison (1995a) "Behavioral, Physiological, and Neuropsychological Correlates of Hostility," manuscript submitted for publication; L. H. Epstein and P. A. Cluss (1982) "A Behavioral Medicine Perspective on Adherence to Long-Term Medical Regimes," Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, Vol. 50, pp. 950-971; M. F. Scheier et al. (1974) "Self-Awareness and Physical Aggression," Journal of Experimental and Social Psychology, Vol. 10, pp. 254-273]. The authors review the role of the right cerebrum in both hostility and "self-awareness"--including arousal, perceptual, expressive, and integrative processes. Using identifiable tracts in the brain, the model suggests how deficits in "self-awareness"--poor awareness of physiological arousal, natural and emotional environment, etc.--may enhance the probability of hostility expression. This model is supported by previous empirical research and provides direction for future neuropsychological investigation.

MeSH terms

  • Awareness / physiology*
  • Cerebral Cortex / physiology*
  • Expressed Emotion / physiology
  • Frontal Lobe / physiology
  • Hostility*
  • Humans
  • Inhibition, Psychological
  • Models, Neurological*
  • Models, Psychological*
  • Neural Inhibition
  • Self-Assessment