Human Aggression and Violence

Book excerpt: This book provides an impressive, well-rounded, authoritative overview of the latest research and theory about human aggression. Written by a diverse phalanx of highly respected experts, from evolutionary psychologists and behavioral geneticists to developmental, social, and clinical psychologists, the chapters offer a rich assortment of perspectives and an indispensable survey of issues, facts, and theories about why and how people hurt each other. It is an ideal introduction to the modern psychology of aggression for scholars and students, and a convenient reference for specialists, journalists, and the general public.-Roy F. Baumeister, author of Evil: Inside Human Violence and Cruelty This volume is an outstanding, integrated, biopsychosocial approach to aggression ranging over the contributions of genes, neurophysiology, early life influences, social relationships, personality, and cultures and exploring the "victim perspective." Edited by internationally renowned researchers in attachment and social relationships, this gem of a book provides detailed, up-to-date access to current work by world leaders in the field. The best way of dealing aggression and becoming more compassionate is to better understand the facilitators and inhibitors of aggression, and this volume significantly contributes to this important endeavor.ùPaul Gilbert, author of The Compassionate Mind In this exciting book, leading experts cover contemporary theory, research, and practice in the psychology of aggression and violence. There is something here for everyone interested in these topics: basic theory, up-to-date reviews, and practical applications. There is a broad range of approachesùincluding evolutionary background, neuroscience and genetics, environmental influences, violence between groups, and the impact on victims.ùJohn Archer, School of Psychology University of Central Lancashire, Lancashire, United Kingdom Violence and aggression have existed as long, as humankind, and the need to understand and control these forces has only continued to grow throughout history. Thanks to the advance of psychological research within the social and behavioral sciences, as well as several other scientific disciplines, we have more knowledge than ever before about the genetic, developmental, interpersonal, and cultural causes of aggression. Yet these findings have not been integrated into meaningful discussions about how to transform aggression research into practical applications. With so many answers to the question "What makes a person violent?" there is surprisingly little insight into "How do we prevent violence?" In this comprehensive book, editors Phillip R. Shaver and Mario Mikulincer have assembled chapters from international experts to provide a broad-based and multidisciplinary analysis of aggression and violence, their negative consequences, and promising interventions. Five sections examine major theoretical perspectives, genetic and environmental determinants, and the psychological and relational processes underlying human violence and aggression. The tone of the book is realistic in its investigation of violence as an inherent part of human genetics and interaction, but hopeful in its exploration of research-based interventions aimed at reducing violence in future generations. In its assessment of aggression and violence across individual, relational and societal levels, this book will engage a broad audience. This book is part of the Herzliya Series on Personality and Social Psychology. Phillip R. Shaver, PhD,, a social and personality psychologist, is Distinguished Professor of Psychology at the University of California, Davis. Before moving there, he served on the faculties of Columbia University, New York University, University of Denver, and State University of New York at Buffalo. He has coauthored and co-edited numerous books. He is a member of the editorial boards of Attachment and Human Development, Personal Relationships, the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, and Emotion, and has served on grant review panels for the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. He has been executive officer of the Society of Experimental Social Psychology and is a fellow of both the American Psychological Association and the Association for Psychological Science. Dr. Shaver received a Distinguished Career Award from the International Association for Relationship Research and has served as president of that organization. Mario Mikulincer, PhD, is professor of psychology and dean of the New School of Psychology at the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya, Israel. He has published 3 books and over 280 scholarly journal articles and book chapters. He is a member of the editorial boards of several scientific journals, including the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Psychological Inquiry, and Personality and Social Psychology Review, and has served as associate editor of two journals. Recently, he was elected to serve as chief editor of the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships. He is a fellow of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology and the Association for Psychological Sciences. He received the EMET Prize in Social science for his contributions to psychology and the Berscheid-Hatfield Award for Distinguished Mid-Career Achievement from the International Association for Relationship Research