The　desire　for　retaliation　is　a　common　response　across　a　majority　of　human　societies.　However,　the　neural　mechanisms　underlying　aggression　and　retaliation　remain　unclear.　Previous　studies　on　social　intentions　are　confounded　by　a　low-level　response-related　brain　activity.　Using　an　Electroencephalogram　(EEG)-based　brain-computer　interface　combined　with　the　Chicken　Game,　our　study　examined　the　neural　dynamics　of　aggression　and　retaliation　after　controlling　for　nonessential　response-related　neural　signals.　Our　results　show　that　aggression　is　associated　with　reduced　alpha　event-related　desynchronization　(alpha-ERD),　indicating　reduced　mental　effort.　Moreover,　retaliation　and　tit-for-tat　strategy　use　are　also　linked　with　smaller　alpha-ERD.　Our　study　provides　a　novel　method　to　minimize　motor　confounds　and　demonstrates　that　choosing　aggression　and　retaliation　is　less　effortful　in　social　conflicts.