Short Fuses & Bad Tempers: Neurocognitive Insights in Trait Anger

The principal aim of this thesis was to improve our understanding of (neuro)cognitive processes involved in anger and a disposition towards anger (i.e., trait anger).

Main conclusions
Based on the results of the studies described in this thesis, several conclusions can be drawn.
First, it can be concluded that the Dutch version of the STAXI-2 is a reliable instrument to assist the clinical practitioner or researcher in measuring the experience, expression, and control of anger.
Second, trait anger seems to be related to deficits in cognitive control under both neutral and anger-inducing conditions, of which error-processing deficits seem to be most consistently related to trait anger. Reduced anger-primed inhibitory control in relation to trait anger, however, could not be consistently confirmed.
Finally, the studies described in this thesis showed that although angry rumination and mental fatigue seem to be accompanied by increased anger, these processes seem to have little effect on cognitive control.
Overall, the current thesis increased knowledge about the impact of neurocognitive processes in relation to trait anger. At the same time, this thesis highlights that more research is needed in order to explore the impact of neurocognitive processes on trait anger as well as their interrelations.