Abnormal experiences of the self defined here in terms of depersonaliz
ation may predispose individuals to aggressive behavior in situations
that further alter their self-awareness. Conditions that raise self-aw
areness may inhibit the aggressive behavior of individuals prone to th
ese abnormal experiences of self in the current research, individuals
prone to a distorted body image were least likely to express attitudes
reflecting verbal hostility when their self-awareness was raised. Ind
ividuals prone to a sense of unreality about others were most likely t
o express attitudes that reflect physical aggression when their sense
of social identity was raised. However these attitudes were less likel
y in individuals prone to self-criticism whose social identity was enh
anced. The results suggest that a multidimensional construct of depers
onalization may aid in the prediction of aggressive behavior that is f
acilitated by situations that alter the individual's sense of self.