Mean on the screen: Psychopathy, relationship aggression, and aggression in the media

Abstract

The aim of the current study was to examine the association between psychopathic features and various forms of relationship aggression in a non-clinical population. Additionally, exposure to media aggression was examined as a potential mediator of the relationship between psychopathy and aggression. Participants consisted of a total of 337 individuals who either reported on their current or most recent relationship. Results revealed that secondary psychopathy traits were related to both types of aggression measured in the current study (physical aggression and romantic relational aggression). Additionally, primary psychopathy traits were related to romantic relational aggression. Though exposure to media aggression (both physical and relational forms) was related to perpetration of relationship aggression, such exposure did not mediate the relationship between psychopathy and aggression.