ABSTRACT
Probably the most compelling question asked by those who study violence is, “Why?” Why do individuals engage in such horrifying and destructive behavior? Why do parents beat, and sometimes kill, their helpless children? What motivates sexual assault? Why do once-happy marriages deteriorate into violence? Why would an individual randomly kill dozens of people in a fast-food restaurant? What are the causes of violence? This chapter discusses the major theoretical approaches to this question and begin to consider some of the research findings.
