The effects of diazepam (Valium) and aggressive disposition on human aggression - An experimental investigation

Sixty male subjects with self-reported high, moderate, and low aggressive dispositions were given the opportunity to aggress. by administering electric shocks, against an increasingly provocative fictitious opponent within the context of a competitive reaction time task. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: (1) 10 mg of diazepam or (2) placebo. Results indicated that diazepam-intoxicated subjects aggressed by selecting the highest shock setting (10) more frequently than did nonintoxicated subjects. High hostile subjects were also more influenced by the aggression-enhancing effects of diazepam than moderate and low hostile subjects. Benzodiazepine-facilitated aggression is discussed in the context of individual differences and the importance for physicians to assess a patient's disposition prior to prescribing such medication. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.