health

Research indicates that violent behavior may have many different causes,
some of which are inborn but most of which are learned from experiencing
or witnessing violent behavior by others, particularly those who are
role models.


Genetics Chromosomes carry genetic messages from parents to offspring,
and there is some research that suggests that, in some cases, aggressiveness
may be inherited.

Brain injury Injury to the front parts of the brain may remove some
personal control over anger and aggression.


Antisocial personality disorder People with antisocial personality
disorder often behave violently even as children. They may disregard their
own safety and the safety of others. People with this disorder do not seem
to understand that violence harms other people, and they do not seem to
have a conscience that distinguishes between right and wrong. The terms
sociopath and psychopath sometimes are used to describe people with
antisocial personality disorder.

Alcohol and substance abuse Drinking and drugs often play
a role in violence. For some, these substances interfere with otherwise
good judgment or behavior. Some people try to use alcohol or drugs to
treat their feelings of anger or depression, but instead feel worse. Violence
toward others—or towards themselves—can result.


Desensitization Constantly viewing violence at home, in communities,
or on television can lead people to believe that violence is a normal
part of life. People who are surrounded by violence may reach a point at
which they no longer notice violent events or remember that peaceful
behavior is a possibility.


Learned helplessness People who accept the belief that violence is
an inevitable part of their lives may give up trying to avoid or escape that
violence. They may become passive and unable to create safety for themselves
or their families. Battered wives who remain at home with battering
husbands, for example, may believe that that they are unable to escape
violence. This resignation to violence exposes them to more of it.

Social modeling Children learn by observation and by imitation.
Children who observe their home, school, or media role models behaving
in violent ways may come to believe that turning angry feelings into
angry actions is acceptable behavior or even the most effective way to solve
problems. Such children may never learn peaceful behaviors or cooperative
ways to solve problems.
Parents who model abusive behavior at home can create a cycle of violence,
teaching children to grow up to be abusive adults. The importance
of positive role models and the dangers of negative role models should not
be underestimated.
Learning the boundaries between anger (emotion) and violence
(physical force) is an important developmental task for all people and all
cultures. It is possible to have angry feelings without turning those feelings
into angry actions or violent behaviors. Expressing anger in a nonviolent
way can be healthy. However, parents, adult mentors, media, and
community leaders first must model nonviolent conflict-resolution skills
for young people to learn them.