The Psychology of Violence

1. The Psychology of Violence

2. What is violence? The intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or against a group or community, that either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment or deprivation. (World Health Organization) Categorized according to who commits the violent act: • self-directed violence • interpersonal • violence; and collective violence.

3. Statistics of Violence Intentional homicide rates per 100,000 population by region and sub-region, 2004 Southern Africa 37.3 North America 6.5 Central America 29.3 Europe 5.4 South America 25.9 Near and Mid-East4.4 West/Central Africa 21.6 Oceania 4 East Africa 20.8 South Asia 3.4 Africa 20 Asia 3.2 Caribbean 18.1 South & east Europe 3.2 Americas 16.2 South & east Asia 2.8 East Europe 8.1 West /Central Europe 1.5 North Africa 7.6 World 7.6 Central Asia 6.6

4. Murder by CountryPer 100,000 (most recent data) 1. ElSalvador - 71 2. Honduras - 67 3. Jamaica - 58 4. Guatemala -52 5. Venezuela - 49 10. Brazil - 25 14. Mexico -15 20. Nicaragua - 12 30. Thailand - 8 40. Pakistan - 7 45. United States – 5 57. Iran – 3 66. China – 2.3 68. Korea – 2.2 76. Canada – 1.8

5. Reasons for Violence - Evolution Buss and Shackelford describe seven problems for which violence may have evolved as a solution: (1) co-opting the resources of others (2) defending against attack (3) inflicting costs on same-sex rivals (4) negotiating status and power hierarchies (5) deterring rivals from future aggression (6) deterring males from sexual infidelity (7) reducing resources expended on genetically unrelated children.

6. Causes of Violence Reinforcement: I want something but can’t have it. I use force to obtain what I want – I was rewarded for aggressive or violent behavior. I gain popularity or attention or status from dominant behavior.

7. Causes of Violence Observational Learning I see someone behave in a violent or aggressive manner . I admire that person for some reason – status, popularity, wealth, attractiveness. That person is rewarded somehow for that behavior. I am more likely to imitate that behavior as a result.

8. Causes of Violence Socialization Factors: Poverty

9. Causes of Violence Exposure to violence through media (t.v., music, games, movies.) Peer influence Often a fear of violence is created which can result in being more likely to use violence in a given situation.

10. Causes of Violence People who live in countries which are at war are more likely to be violent towards each other.

11. Causes of Violence Aversive situations: Pain Noise Over-crowding Heat Each of these things can heighten negative affect (negative emotions of feelings) and result in anger/frustration which can lead to aggression

12. Causes of Violence Situational factors: Alcohol Drugs Presence of weapons Group violence Isolation Each of these factors can lead to violence as they may lower our inhibitions and allow us to act in a way from which we would normally restrain ourselves.

13. Causes of Violence Biological Factors: The Brain: the amygdala – with animals, stimulation of the amygdala causes increased aggression. Personality disorders Brain damage caused by: toxic materials found in the environment (e.g., lead paint) Traumatic head injury (e.g., as the result of child abuse or accident) dietary deficiencies (especially prenatal) alcohol and drug ingestion by the mother during critical fetal developmental stages birth trauma.