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Considering the roles of affect and culture in the enactment and enjoyment of cruelty

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 August 2006

Spee Kosloff*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, College of Behavioral Sciences, Tucson, AZ85721-0068
Jeff Greenberg*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, College of Behavioral Sciences, Tucson, AZ85721-0068
Sheldon Solomon*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY12866

Abstract:

Research on aggression and terror management theory suggests shortcomings in Nell's analysis of cruelty. Hostile aggression and exposure to aggressive cues are not inherently reinforcing, though they may be enjoyed if construed within a meaningful cultural framework. Terror management research suggests that human cruelty stems from the desire to defend one's cultural worldview and to participate in a heroic triumph over evil.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2006

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