The effects of diazepam (valium) and aggressive disposition on human aggression: an experimental investigation.

Author(s): Ben-Porath DD, Taylor SP

Affiliation(s): Department of Psychology, John Carroll University, University Heights, OH 44118-4581, USA. dbenporath@jcu.edu

Publication date & source: 2002-03, Addict Behav., 27(2):167-77.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Randomized Controlled Trial

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.