Cerciello Francesco, Esposito Clara, La Penna Ilaria, Sica Luigia Simona, Frolli Alessandro
Disability Research Centre, Department of International Humanities and Social Sciences, Rome University of International Studies, Rome, Italy.
Child Neuropsychiatry Outpatient Clinic, Fondazione Italiana Neuroscienze e Disordini dello Sviluppo - FINDS, Caserta, Italy.
Front Psychol. 2024 Jul 15;15:1407933. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1407933. eCollection 2024.
The dominance behavioral system, a fundamental aspect of human behavior, orchestrates the drive for dominance, regulates dominant-subordinate dynamics, and shapes responses to perceived power dynamics. While the existing literature extensively delves into the components of this system, scant attention is paid to its interplay with mentalization, theory of mind, and assertiveness. Moreover, gender disparities in dominance behaviors are largely studied in terms of biological variables (levels of testosterone) and clinical populations. This study aims to understand the relationships between activation strategies of the dominance behavioral system, mentalization processes, theory of mind abilities, and levels of social discomfort in assertive communication. Moreover, to identify gender differences in the dominance behavioral system in a non-clinical sample.
Our sample was composed of 67 students from a non-clinical population. They claimed the absence of any psychological, neurological, or developmental disorders.
A regression analysis was performed, and we found that levels of mentalization predict levels of hyperactivation of dominance behavioral system, but no significant results for the deactivation levels of the system were found. Moreover, no gender differences were found in levels of activations of the dominance behavioral system.
These findings underscore the pivotal role of mentalization abilities in interpersonal dynamics, emphasizing the need for individuals to navigate social interactions adeptly. Furthermore, our research unveils implications for individual well-being and psychopathology, urging further investigation into how these dimensions intersect with various psychological disorders. By discerning the intricate mechanisms at play, we can develop targeted therapeutic interventions tailored to specific behavioral patterns, ultimately enhancing psychological resilience and fostering healthier social relationships in a non-clinical population.
支配行为系统是人类行为的一个基本方面，它协调支配欲，调节支配与从属关系，并塑造对感知到的权力动态的反应。虽然现有文献广泛深入探讨了该系统的组成部分，但对其与心理化、心理理论和 assertiveness 的相互作用关注甚少。此外，支配行为中的性别差异在很大程度上是从生物学变量（睾酮水平）和临床人群的角度进行研究的。本研究旨在了解支配行为系统的激活策略、心理化过程、心理理论能力与 assertive 沟通中的社交不适程度之间的关系。此外，在非临床样本中识别支配行为系统中的性别差异。
我们的样本由 67 名非临床人群的学生组成。他们声称没有任何心理、神经或发育障碍。
进行了回归分析，我们发现心理化水平可预测支配行为系统的过度激活水平，但未发现该系统去激活水平的显著结果。此外，在支配行为系统的激活水平上未发现性别差异。
这些发现强调了心理化能力在人际动态中的关键作用，强调个人需要熟练应对社交互动。此外，我们的研究揭示了对个体幸福感和精神病理学的影响，促使进一步研究这些维度如何与各种心理障碍相互交叉。通过识别其中复杂的机制，我们可以针对特定行为模式制定有针对性的治疗干预措施，最终在非临床人群中增强心理韧性并促进更健康的社会关系。
