Aggression is a highly conserved behavioral adaptation that evolved to help organisms
compete for limited resources and thereby ensure their survival. However, in
modern societies where resources such as food, shelter, etc. are not limiting, aggression
has become a major cultural problem worldwide presumably because of its deep
seeded roots in the neuronal circuits and neurochemical pathways of the human brain.
In Neurobiology of Aggression: Understanding and Preventing Violence, leading
experts in the fields of the neurobiology, neurochemistry, genetics, and behavioral
and cultural aspects of aggression and violence provide a comprehensive collection of
review articles on one of the most important cross-disciplinary issues of our time.
Rather than summarize the topics covered by each author in each chapter, I present a
schematic diagram to guide the reader in thinking about different aspects of aggressive
and violent behavior from its neurobiological roots to environmental factors that
can either promote or prevent aggression to visions of some of the most horrific acts
of violence of our times, and then towards the development of strategies to reduce
aggressive behavior and prevent violence.