Aggression and Violence

Brad J. Bushman (Ph.D. 1989, University of Missouri) is a Professor of Communication and Psychology at The Ohio State University, and a Professor of Communication Science at the VU University Amsterdam. He holds the Rinehart Chair of Mass Communication. For over 25 years he has studied the causes, consequences, and solutions to the problem of human aggression and violence.

This book provides a scholarly overview of aggression and violence by internationally renowned researchers in the field Multiple perspectives are taken, including social psychology, cognitive neuroscience, psychophysiology, gender studies, developmental psychology, and family studies. It looks at the two major risk factors for aggressive behavior: individual and contextual. Common individual and group-wide targets of violence are also examined. Other contemporary issues covered include gun violence, the role of the media, cyberbullying and terrorism. The book concludes with work showing how we may make the world a more peaceful place by preventing and reducing aggression and violence.

Part 1: Understanding the Roots of Aggression and Violence in Humans. An Integrative Theoretical Understanding of Aggression, L.R. Huesmann. Animal Models: Implications for Human Aggression and Violence, S. de Boer. Part 2: Individual Risk Factors for Aggression and Violence. The Aggressive Brain, B.D. Bartholow. Development of Aggression in Males and Females, J.E. Lansford. Family Influences on Aggression and Violence, M.H. Labella, A. Masten. Testosterone and Aggression, J. Archer, J. Carré. Individual Differences in Aggression: The Role of Dark Personalities, D.L. Paulhus, D.N. Jones. Appetitive Aggression, T. Elbert, J.K. Moran, M. Schauer. Part 3: Contextual Risk Factors for Aggression and Violence. Aversive Events and Aggression, C.L. Groves, C.A. Anderson. Ostracism and Aggression, E.D. Wesselmann, K.D. Williams. Gun Violence, W. Cukier, S.A. Eagen, G. Decat. Aggressive Cues: Weapons and Violent Media, B.J. Bushman. Alcohol and Other Drugs, D.J. Parrott, C. Eckhardt. Part 4: Targets of Aggression and Violence. Cyberbullying: A Critical Overview, D. Olweus. Violence Against Women, B. Krahé. Love and Hurt: Why We Aggress Against Loved Ones, C.N. DeWall, K.R. Lynch, C.M. Renzetti. Aggression Between Social Groups, J. Densley, J. Peterson. The Psychology of Terrorism, D. Webber, A.W. Kruglanski. Part 5: Making the World a More Peaceful Place. Preventing and Reducing Aggression and Violence, F. Anwar, D.P. Fry, I. Grigaityte.