ABSTRACT
59The causes of aggression are currently being examined with an unprecedented vigor, impelled by the urgency of many of our contemporary social problems, The social, behavioral, and biological sciences are all concerned with this evaluation, and the data and concepts from their respective domains are being invoked in the attempt to understand the causes of violence. Unfortunately, a residual from the old nature-nurture controversy impedes the exchange of ideas and concepts among these various disciplines. There often appears to be among social scientists an implicit (and sometimes explicit) belief that any point conceded to biological factors is one point less for social and environmental factors. This attitude reflects a dichotomous view of behavioral determination which is as unwarranted as it is widespread. There is no merit in the old proposition that pits “nature” against “nurture” as logically incompatible forces. On the contrary, genes and environmental forces interact from the moment of conception. Thus, the effects of a given genetic difference between people may be greater or less depending upon the environmental circumstances in which they reside. Similarly, the impact of an environmental agent depends upon the hereditary nature of the individual upon whom it impinges.
