Aggressive personality: 5 characteristics that define it

The aggressive personality is one of the psychological aspects that most influence the social life of many people.

This predisposition tends to overshadow many other elements of the personality of the person who possesses it, making that go into the background, and by itself is capable of forever damaging friendships, business opportunities, etc. In addition, in the most extreme cases, it implies danger for those who are usually around the aggressive person.

For all that it is important to know well aggressive personality characteristics; In this article you will find a summary of these.

• Related article: "The 11 types of violence (and the different types of aggression)"

What is the aggressive personality?

Aggressive personality can be briefly defined as the set of psychological predispositions that makes certain people tend to adopt a hostile attitude or to attack others with relative ease. These attacks can be physical or psychological, compromising the well-being of another person or even making them feel threatened.

On the other hand, aggressiveness does not usually depend on medium to long-term goals that go beyond the fact of wanting to harm a person. So, this is a personality trait that is mostly expressed in social relationships, and it has to do with anger management. However, in some exceptional cases, certain individuals behave aggressively without actually having anything "Personal" against the victim, and attack him only for instrumental purposes linked to a goal of another type: stealing, coercing someone, etc.

On the other hand, it must be taken into account that personality traits, although they tend to remain relatively stable over time, can change, either because we strive to change or spontaneously and without intending to do so. And in fact, those aspects of the personality that are so extreme that they cause problems and discomfort in a person's day-to-day life, can be addressed and corrected if they go to therapy psychological.

• You may be interested in: "The 5 great personality traits: sociability, responsibility, openness, kindness and neuroticism"

Typical characteristics of the aggressive personality

These are the main characteristics that help to recognize an aggressive personality type.

1. Problems arise in controlling aggressive impulses

As a general rule, those with an aggressive personality have problems controlling their aggressive impulses, and many times they attack others even if it also hurts them in a direct way. This makes it difficult for them to carry out long-term projects that involve collaboration with other people.

• You may be interested in: "The 5 types of bullying or bullying"

2. The person takes advantage of his reputation as a threatening individual

The aggressive personality is also present when direct aggression is not carried out, but rather sometimes it is reflected in threats.

For example, this allows them to blackmail people by insinuating that if something is not done the way he or she wants, they will fly into a rage in front of everyone creating a scene, and as there is reason to believe that she will keep her word, the rest bow to their interests.

• Related article: "What is an emotional manipulator? The 6 characteristics and warning signs "

3. They take it wrong not having a leadership role

The aggressive personality is closely related by frustration at situations in which one is not in control or things turn out the opposite way to how I expected. For this reason, this psychological predisposition usually causes problems when accepting subordinate roles in companies, group work, etc.

• You may be interested in: "Types of Leadership: The 5 most common types of leader"

4. There is a predisposition to start fights

Of course, aggressive people fall into provocation and fight initiation dynamics with relative ease. In addition, any situation in which there is ambiguity or it is not known what the interlocutor wanted to express, makes them assume that he is causing, generating fights due to misunderstandings.

• You may be interested in: "12 tips to better manage couple arguments"

5. Discomfort from regret appears

Although some of the aggressive people do not regret their attacks on others (especially those who fall on the spectrum of psychopathy), most engage in such behaviors so often that accumulate reasons to feel bad about their actions and attitudes. However, that doesn't mean they always apologize.

• You may be interested in: "What is guilt and how can we manage this feeling?"

Are you looking for psychological assistance services?

If you are interested in starting a psychotherapy process to learn how to manage aggressiveness or control impulses of any kind, get in touch with us.

On Advance Psychologists You will find a team of experts in mental health with more than 20 years of experience. We serve people of all ages, and we also offer couples therapy, family therapy, neuropsychology, psychiatry, and coaching services. You will find us in our center located in Madrid (Goya neighborhood).