Hate fosters inhibition tendencies: the mediating role of social constraints / El odio fomenta las tendencias inhibitorias: el papel mediador de las restricciones sociales

Abstract

While previous theories have proposed that emotions are linked to action tendencies, there is limited research on the effects of hate and love on inhibition tendencies. The present study was aimed at investigating whether hate stimulates inhibition tendency more than love and whether social constraints mediate the effect. Study 1 revealed that hate (vs. love) increased the level of inhibition tendency. Study 2 replicated the findings of Study 1 and extended the findings to social inhibition by including a social inhibition measure. In addition, it also revealed that social constraints mediated the effect. Study 3 manipulated hate (vs. love) and social constraints simultaneously, confirming the causal relationship between social constraints and inhibition tendency. The findings from the three studies provided convergent evidence that hate (vs. love) elicits inhibition tendencies, particularly in environments where individuals are aware of social constraints.