Effects of nicotine deprivation and irritability on physical aggression inmale smokers

Thirty-five continuing male smokers were randomly assigned to either a depr ived or a nondeprived condition. On the basis of self-reported trait irrita bility, participants were then assigned to 1 of 4 groups: deprived-high irr itable, deprived-low irritable, nondeprived-hi.-h irritable, and nondeprive d-low irritable. Aggression was measured with a modified version of the Tay lor aggression paradigm. Self-reported smoking urge was assessed throughout the reaction time competition. Results indicated that the deprived-high-ir ritable group displayed the highest levels of aggressive behavior. Positive associations between urge ratings and aggression indexes were detected onl y in the deprived-high-irritable group. Results support the existence of an interactive effect of nicotine deprivation and trait irritability on physi cal aggression and highlight the role of smoking urge as an important facto r in the deprivation-aggression link.