Social Psychology Network

Maintained by Scott Plous, Wesleyan University

William C. Pedersen

William C. Pedersen

My research is primarily focused on factors that impact aggressive behavior and violence. I am interested in a variety of personality factors including trait rumination, narcissism, impulsivity, attachment style, and religiosity. I have also investigated a variety of situational factors that impact aggression including rumination, social support, power restoration, alcohol priming, and drug use. A related line of research investigates the impact of trait displaced aggression on romantic relationships, life satisfaction, and both mental and physical health. Finally, I have smaller research programs in the areas of both intergroup relations and evolutionary psychology (specifically gender differences in mating strategies).

Primary Interests:

  • Aggression, Conflict, Peace
  • Applied Social Psychology
  • Causal Attribution
  • Intergroup Relations
  • Life Satisfaction, Well-Being
  • Neuroscience, Psychophysiology
  • Personality, Individual Differences
  • Research Methods, Assessment
  • Social Cognition

Journal Articles:

  • Bushman, B. J., Bonacci, A. M., Pedersen, W. C., Vasquez, E. A., & Miller, N. (2005). Chewing on it can chew you up: Effects of rumination on triggered displaced aggression. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 88, 969-983.
  • Denson, T. F., Fabiansson, E. C., Creswell, J. D., & Pedersen, W. C. (2009). Experimental effects of rumination styles on salivary cortisol responses. Motivation and Emotion, 33, 42-48.
  • Denson, T. F., Pedersen, W. C., & Miller, N. (2006). The Displaced Aggression Questionnaire. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 90, 1032-1051.
  • Denson, T. F., Pedersen, W. C., Ronquillo, J., & Nandy, A. S. (2009). The angry brain: Neural correlates of anger, angry rumination, and aggressive personality. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 21, 734-744.
  • Pedersen, W. C. (2006). The impact of attributional processes on triggered displaced aggression. Motivation and Emotion, 30, 75-87.
  • Pedersen, W. C., Aviles, F. E., Ito, T. A., Miller, N., & Pollock, V. E. (2002). Psychological experimentation on alcohol-induced human aggression. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 7, 293-312.
  • Pedersen, W. C., Bushman, B. J., Vasquez, E. A., & Miller, N. (2008). Kicking the (barking) dog effect: The moderating role of target attributes on triggered displaced aggression. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 34, 1382-1395.
  • Pedersen, W. C., Gonzales, C., & Miller, N. (2000). The moderating effect of trivial triggering provocation on displaced aggression. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 78, 913-927.
  • Vasquez, E. A., Bartsch, V. O., Pedersen, W. C., & Miller, N. (2007). The impact of aggressive priming, rumination, and frustration on prison sentencing. Aggressive Behavior, 33, 477-485.
  • Vasquez, E. A., Denson, T. F., Pedersen, W. C., Stenstrom, D. M, & Miller, N. (2005). The moderating effect of trigger intensity on triggered displaced aggression. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 41, 61-67.
  • Vasquez, E. A., Ensari, N., Pedersen, W. C., Tan, R. Y., & Miller, N. (2007). Personalization and differentiation as moderators of triggered displaced aggression toward out-group targets. European Journal of Social Psychology, 37, 297-319.

Other Publications:

  • Denson, T. F., Pedersen, W. C., Ronquillo, J., & Miller, N. (2008). Trait displaced aggression, physical health, and life satisfaction: A process model. In S. Boag (Ed.), Personality down under: Perspectives from Australia (pp. 203-211). Hauppauge, NY, US: Nova Science Publishers.

Courses Taught:

William C. Pedersen
Department of Psychology
California State University, Long Beach
1250 Bellflower Boulevard
Long Beach, California 90840
United States of America

  • Phone: (562) 985-5010

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