Citation

Martinez M, Blasco-Ros C. Novartis Found. Symp. 2005; 268: 201-8; discussion 208-15, 242-53.

Affiliation

Department of Psychobiology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Valencia, 21, 46010 Valencia, Spain.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Wiley)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

16206882

Abstract

Human aggression is considered a global public health problem with a tremendous impact on the victims. Scientists studying this behaviour can contribute to reducing this worldwide problem by identifying its causes and designing preventive interventions and treatment. Those working on its biological bases need to establish which types of human aggression may be candidates for a biological intervention, which makes it necessary to develop a typology of this behaviour. Considering the primary goal that guides the perpetrator to behave aggressively, a distinction is made between impulsive and premeditated types. However, to control aggression, the distinction should be made between individuals instead of acts of aggression. Thus, research is being conducted to find biological markers that could identify those individuals who are at risk of behaving aggressively and in which way. The information obtained from biological studies should form a whole with that proceeding from other disciplines, such as psychology and sociology, in order to build a complete multidisciplinary picture of specific subtypes of offenders. Finally, this knowledge needs to be conveyed to policymakers, practitioners and the public in general so as to work together to develop effective strategies to address this human problem.

Language: en