Director: Eric R. Dahlen, Ph.D.
The Anger and Personality Lab
Welcome to the Anger and Personality Lab in the School of Psychology at the University of Southern Mississippi! The lab is directed by Dr. Eric R. Dahlen and includes graduate students from the Counseling Psychology programs and undergraduate Psychology majors. We conduct applied psychological research on overt and relational aggression and victimization among emerging adults, dysfunctional anger, college student mental health, and related areas.
Much of our recent work has focused on the role of personality and individual differences in a variety of aggressive or other antisocial behaviors. For example, we are exploring various dark personality traits (e.g., psychopathy, narcissism, Machiavellianism, sadism) in the context of relational aggression, cyber aggression, academic misconduct, and political extremism. We also study a range of social-cognitive and affective factors (e.g., dysfunctional anger, empathy, social anxiety, adult attachment, self-esteem, emotion regulation, impulsivity, moral disengagement) relevant to morally transgressive behaviors. We recently started the first in what is expected to be a series of studies examining the role of peer victimization in college student mental health and well-being.
Much of our recent work has focused on the role of personality and individual differences in a variety of aggressive or other antisocial behaviors. For example, we are exploring various dark personality traits (e.g., psychopathy, narcissism, Machiavellianism, sadism) in the context of relational aggression, cyber aggression, academic misconduct, and political extremism. We also study a range of social-cognitive and affective factors (e.g., dysfunctional anger, empathy, social anxiety, adult attachment, self-esteem, emotion regulation, impulsivity, moral disengagement) relevant to morally transgressive behaviors. We recently started the first in what is expected to be a series of studies examining the role of peer victimization in college student mental health and well-being.
We expect to have 1 open position for a USM psychology major who is interested in gaining research experience to begin in the Fall 2024 term. Find more information about how to apply here.
Dr. Dahlen is hoping to accept a doctoral student for the Fall 2025 admission cohort. See Information for Students Interested in Joining the Lab. Note that the application deadline for the Counseling Psychology Doctoral Program is December 1.
Current Projects
Examples of current projects include:
- Criminal thinking in academic misconduct and other antisocial behavior among college students
- Dark personality traits and moral disengagement in relational aggression
- Peer victimization in college student mental health, social functioning, and academic success
- Examining the incremental validity of moral foundations theory in predicting antisocial behavior beyond dark personality traits
- Dark personality traits in college students' rationalization of academic misconduct
- Broad personality factors and authoritarianism as predictors of perceived police legitimacy
- Machiavellian personality traits as predictors of indirect aggression and interpersonal manipulation
- Authoritarianism and antagonistic personality traits in support for political extremism
Future Plans
Examples of projects in the development phase include:
- Trauma history, experiences with peer victimization, and trauma-related symptoms
- Moral disengagement mechanisms and trait empathy in relational aggression
- Identifying the components of psychopathy most relevant to relational aggression
- Insecure attachment and Vulnerable Dark Triad traits in relational aggression
Interested in Participating in Psychology Research?
Participating in psychological research is a great way to learn about psychology and contribute to the scientific understanding of human behavior.
If you are a student enrolled at the University of Southern Mississippi and taking courses in psychology, you can find many interesting studies through the School of Psychology's Research Participation System (i.e., Sona). Using this system will let you earn research credit through any of your courses that count it.
If you are not a student taking psychology courses at the University of Southern Mississippi, check out Psychological Research on the Net or Online Social Psychology Studies.
If you are a student enrolled at the University of Southern Mississippi and taking courses in psychology, you can find many interesting studies through the School of Psychology's Research Participation System (i.e., Sona). Using this system will let you earn research credit through any of your courses that count it.
If you are not a student taking psychology courses at the University of Southern Mississippi, check out Psychological Research on the Net or Online Social Psychology Studies.