NCJ Number
91827
Date Published
1983
Length
22 pages
Annotation
The essay considers the relative importance of some of the psychophysiologic concomitants of human aggression and violence. Aggression is defined as any vigorous adaptive behavior, in a nonjudgmental sense, whereas violence is defined as destructive behavior directed against one's fellow human beings in which other, better forms of adaptive behavior are possible.
Abstract
The propensity of certain individuals toward violent behavior most likely develops over time, perhaps even having its origins during fetal development; the morphologic and functional development of the central nervous system are influenced both by antinatal exposure to androgenic hormones and by early postnatal environmental experiences. In addition, postnatal abnormalities in central nervous system function, for example, certain kinds of seizure disorders, and exposure to certain drugs, such as alcohol, may be triggers for outbursts of violent behavior. Still, violent acts do occur in the absence of any discernible exogenous or endogenous biochemical or neuroendocrine disturbance, and they may not respond to drug or other somatic therapies, suggesting that such behavior also can be learned or conditioned. About 90 references are supplied. (Author abstract modified)