ABSTRACT
Aggression Aggression, using the biological definition, is intraspecific fighting. Normal aggression is seen in all members of a species, while pathological aggression or violence is either excessive in degree and/or arises from mental disorder. Almost all forms of mental disorder can be associated with pathological aggression and violence (Table 27.2), although anyone can become violent. There has been debate about whether aggression is instinct, that is, determined genetically but called out by the environment, or learned. Probably there is a normal inborn assertiveness, with aggression being secondary to early developmental deprivation and insults and/or mental disorder, rather than a primary drive. Aggression often follows frustration and threat, for example, to a low self-esteem, and increasing tension. Aggression may, of course, be displaced from the original object on to a symbolic representation of it, for example, arson, or to another person, e.g. anger towards the person’s mother displaced on to women in general. Aggression can also be a social phenomena, for example, in altruistic aggression and war.
