THE SLAP THAT WAS HEARD AROUND THE WORLD -Will Smith’s response to stress and childhood trauma

The explicit proximal cause seems clear. Comedian Chris Rock made a joke in bad taste in reference to Will Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Smith got angry, walked on stage, and slapped Rock. Chris insulted Jada; Will punished Chris.

While this narrative is a good start, it does not explain why Smith would perform such a socially unacceptable and inappropriate behavior—notwithstanding a form of physical violence—in such a public forum. In fact, the forum itself, with its cameras everywhere, may have played a large part in the story.

Psychological science has a rich history and demonstrates that behavior is complex. "Smith was angered and so he slapped Rock" provides just one reason for the behavior. What else is going on? (Psychology Today)