Why do Humans Harm and Kill Each Other? A Psychological Perspective on the Causes of Aggression and Violence. Barbara Krahé - 27/09/19
27 Settembre 2019, ore 11.00
Barbara Krahé (University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany https://www.uni-potsdam.de/en/
"Why do Humans Harm and Kill Each Other? A Psychological Perspective on the Causes of Aggression and Violence"
Abstract:
Aggression (defined as behavior intended to harm) and violence (behavior intended to cause severe physical harm) are ubiquitous in human societies around the world. They cause immeasurable harm and suffering to individuals, groups, and communities and also create high material costs to societies. Therefore, understanding why humans engage in these forms of destructive behavior is a challenge for scientific research that has immediate applied consequences in a wide range of societal domains.
Aggression and violence are complex behaviors in which potential causes at the individual, interpersonal, group, and societal level come together, requiring a multidisciplinary approach for their understanding. Psychology, and social psychology in particular, is one of the key disciplines in this concerted search for understanding. In this talk, I will present an overview of psychological theorizing and empirical findings addressing four major questions:
- How can we explain why humans show aggressive behavior and what are the processes that lead from an aggression-eliciting stimulus to an aggressive response?
- Do humans differ in their propensity to engage in aggressive behavior?
- What are critical factors in the situation or the social environment that make aggressive behavior more likely?
- What can be done to prevent or reduce aggression? The talk will conclude by outlining a multidisciplinary agenda for future research on the causes of aggression and violence.
CNR Seminar Room (EMBL Rome, Adriano Buzzati-Traverso Campus, Via Ramarini 32, 00015 Monterotondo, Italy)