How belief in pure good and belief in pure evil relate to reactive and proactive interpersonal aggression

The current study examined how beliefs about human nature—specifically, belief in pure good (BPG) and belief in pure evil (BPE)—uniquely related to self-reported reactive (i.e. in response to provocation) and proactive (i.e. without provocation) forms of self-reported interpersonal aggression. Using a nationwide US sample (final N = 380), participants completed BPG and BPE scales, a modified version of the Peer Conflict Scale, and the Aggression Provocation Questionnaire. Control variables included the Dark Tetrad (narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and sadism), trait anger, trait irritability, and demographic variables (e.g. gender, education). BPG is uniquely related to lower self-reported reactive and proactive aggression on both the Peer Conflict Scale and Aggression Provocation Questionnaire. BPE weakly correlated with higher scores on the Peer Conflict Scale, but control variables rendered the relationship non-significant. In sum, BPG (vs. BPE) showed more consistent associations with interpersonal aggression, whether it is a response to provocation or self-initiated. Our Discussion highlights BPG’s potential role in contemporary models of aggression. (166 words)