Articles tagged with Aggression
A new study reveals that public health officials are facing intense backlash, with 76% experiencing threats or harassment since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The researchers identified successful strategies, such as promoting civil discourse and building relationships with local businesses, that may reduce backlash.
A national study finds that over half of US adults have experienced physical violence and nearly half have experienced sexual violence, with stark disparities in who experiences violence and its link to economic hardship, mental health, and substance use. The study highlights the need for a broader strategy to prevent violence, address...
Researchers have developed a genetic toolkit to isolate individual neuron types in a fruit fly brain, revealing distinct neuronal subgroups that produce different effects, including suppressing aggression. The study identifies a universal control of aggression across sexes and highlights the complex roles of neurons within the same neu...
A new US national study by Tulane University's Newcomb Institute found that Americans are reporting experiences of sexual harassment at far higher rates than they did before the #MeToo movement. The share of U.S. adults reporting sexual harassment increased from 10.7% in 2018 to 24.3% in 2024.
A study from University of Utah Health found that long-term occupational blast exposure is a risk factor for anger, even independently of other military exposures. Chronic low-level blast exposure is associated with a slightly higher risk of clinically documented anger, aggression, and violence.
A new study from the University of Oxford found that drought exposure is associated with increased risk of sexual, emotional and physical violence among adolescents in Southern Africa. Girls and young women face the highest risk of violence during drought conditions.
Research found that gender-diverse teens reported higher rates of psychological stress and psychotic-like experiences, which can lead to depression, anxiety, and other serious mental health disorders. Bullying and unsupportive legislation drove these findings.
A Canadian study found gaps in how physicians were monitored and sanctioned for sex-based misconduct, with complaints often not reported on regulatory websites. The researchers suggest a national registry listing incidents by type and outcomes could help address the issue.
Researchers are evaluating the state's domestic violence resources to better support survivors and prevent further abuse. Through a $257,384 grant, UCF faculty are analyzing data from various sources and surveying organizations that provide domestic violence services.
Researchers investigated brain mechanisms that maintain balance between intimidation and physical aggression in mice. Projections from the lateral hypothalamus to the dorsal raphe nucleus play a critical role in preserving this balance. Increasing pathway activity led to increased attacks, while inhibiting it decreased attack bites.
A new study from Michigan Medicine found that over 7% of Americans have thought about shooting someone, while 8.7 million adults considered it in the last year. Firearm owners were no more likely to have these thoughts than non-owners, but 21% of those who had thoughts said they would consider giving their gun to someone for safekeeping.
Adolescents bullied or engaging in bullying face lasting mental, physical and social challenges. The study identified socioeconomic disadvantages, race, physical differences, and pre-existing health conditions as risk factors for bullying.
A study published in Radiology found that soccer fans' brain activity is triggered by positive and negative emotions when watching their favorite team play. The researchers used fMRI to examine the brain's response to goal sequences from matches, revealing patterns of neural activation associated with social identity and fanaticism.
A recent study by Sora Shin has identified a shared brain circuit that contributes to both aggression and self-harm in individuals with a history of early-life trauma. The research found that pain, including emotional pain, can serve as a gateway for these behaviors to emerge.
Researchers describe a tactical playbook used by male abusers to engineer 'trauma bonds', leaving victims desperate for approval. The study highlights the deliberate brainwashing tactics employed by perpetrators, shifting blame onto victims and ignoring codependency theories.
The study aims to identify better ways to predict which children with ADHD will benefit from medication treatment. Researchers will examine how the brain processes reward and frustration to understand why some children show improvements with ADHD medication while others do not.
Researchers analyzed over 2,000 hours of underwater recordings to detect subtle shifts in red hind spawning behavior and population dynamics. The study found a notable shift in the balance of mating calls over the 12-year period, with calls linked to competition becoming dominant.
Researchers found that male mice become aggressive after witnessing familiar peers attack intruders, not strangers. The study suggests that familiarity with attackers may be a risk factor for violent behavior in males.
A new study by Tulane University's Newcomb Institute found a measurable link between prolonged extreme heat and increased domestic violence-related emergency calls in New Orleans. When temperatures stayed above the top 10% for five consecutive days, calls rose by 7%. The researchers recommend integrating domestic violence prevention in...
A new study shows that higher levels of hope are linked to reduced bullying and cyberbullying, with students with more hope being less likely to engage in these behaviors. Strengthening hope could be a powerful strategy in preventing bullying by helping young people build resilience and invest in their futures.
Neuroscientist Sora Shin is studying how early-life trauma shapes brain circuit function and contributes to uncontrolled rage, a public health issue linked to psychiatric disorders and societal challenges. Her research could lead to novel treatment strategies for trauma-related aggression.
A UN-backed study highlights the lasting effects of Gambia's state-sponsored witch hunt, including stigma, social exclusion, and trauma. Researchers found a strong desire for official recognition and reconciliation, with recommendations for reparations and rebuilding social roles.
A global study of over 100,000 young people found that owning a smartphone before age 13 is associated with poor mind health and wellbeing in early adulthood. The study found correlations between early smartphone ownership and symptoms such as suicidal thoughts, aggression, detachment from reality, and low self-worth.
Male mice displayed increased aggression when the instigator was a novel individual or one with whom they had no established dominance relationship. In contrast, aggression was not observed when the instigator was a familiar opponent with a known hierarchical relationship.
According to a study published in The Lancet, nearly one out of five women and one out of seven men aged 20 and older faced sexual violence as a child. The global SVAC prevalence remained high at about 19% for women and almost 15% for men.
Researchers from the University of Texas at San Antonio discovered a significant link between REM sleep disturbances and increased PTSD severity. The study suggests that targeting REM sleep could be a promising approach for improving PTSD treatment outcomes.
Researchers found that oxytocin receptors were more abundant in egalitarian lemur species, contributing to reduced aggression and increased harmony. The findings could shed light on the role of hormones in shaping behavior in humans and other animals.
Researchers developed a freely available analysis tool, DANCE, for automating the quantification of male aggression and courtship behaviors in fruit flies. The tool uses machine learning and has been shown to be as accurate as expert manual scoring with costs less than $0.30 per experiment.
A study by Norwegian University of Science and Technology found that defendants receive lighter sentences when victims are described with rape myths, such as 'scantily clad' or 'being promiscuous'. This correlation holds true even with medical evidence and violence involved. The researchers aim to raise awareness about the use of exper...
Researchers found that pancreatic cancer cells gain a survival edge by carrying copies of critical cancer genes on circular pieces of DNA outside chromosomes. The discovery highlights the importance of targeting extrachromosomal DNA in treating the disease.
A new study found that nearly 40% of adult Americans report experiencing some form of sport-related mistreatment, with psychological and emotional abuse leading the way. The study also revealed that weight issues were a common reason for mistreatment, cited by 52% of respondents.
A new longitudinal study from Florida Atlantic University finds that students who exhibit off-putting behaviors are at elevated risk of antagonizing others and becoming involved in enemy relationships. Emotional reactivity and poor school performance are also strong predictors of later participation in an enemy relationship.
A new psychological therapy, MBT-ASPD, has been found to reduce rates of violence and aggression among male offenders with antisocial personality disorder. The treatment showed a significant decrease in symptoms and reoffending rates, offering a promising new approach for treating this challenging condition.
Understanding how dominance and tribal instincts fuel division is critical to addressing global conflicts and economic inequality. Professor Jorge A. Colombo argues that fundamental behavioural drives are hardwired into our species and continue to shape human behaviour today.
Researchers identified the cortical amygdala as a key brain region in promoting aggression, but inhibiting this area reduces aggressive behavior and induces pro-social behavior. The study found that cells in the cortical amygdala respond to male social stimuli, enhancing attack behavior.
A University of Córdoba study identifies how peer pressure can spur adolescents to participate in cyberbullying, recommending humanization and dignification of cybervictims as a strategy to prevent this form of harassment.
A study by ISGlobal found that exposure to cold temperatures was associated with increased internalizing problems, while heat exposure was linked to attention problems in adolescents. Psychiatric symptoms affect about one in seven adolescents worldwide, and climate change may exacerbate these conditions.
Researchers at NYU Langone Health found that dopamine, a brain chemical linked to male aggression, grows less important in promoting aggression as males gain fighting experience. In contrast, females show no response to manipulated dopamine levels, suggesting a distinct role for the chemical in female aggression.
A new study found that early exposure to violent TV content in childhood is associated with increased risk of antisocial behavior in teenagers, especially boys. The study, led by Professor Linda Pagani, followed over 1,900 children from ages 3.5 to 15 and found that boys who watched more violent TV content had higher rates of aggressiv...
A recent study published in Frontiers in Communication reveals that people with non-standard accents are more likely to be associated with criminal behaviour, but perceptions vary between accents. The researchers found a significant link between class or status, negative traits, and expected behavior, particularly when it comes to crime.
A study by Technical University of Munich finds that digital violence discourages political participation, particularly among women, who experience sexualized online attacks. The survey shows that more than half of those affected modify their behavior, including giving up on politics entirely.
A study by Durham University found that bonobos orphaned by the illegal trade in bushmeat and pets can develop social abilities despite early life trauma. Researchers observed 83 bonobos at different stages of their lives, finding that female bonobos' social skills increased with age, while males' decreased, similar to wild interactions.
Researchers observed 34 male African savannah elephants in Etosha National Park, identifying five types of behavior that were consistently different between individuals. Younger males were more similar in temperament than older males, suggesting that their unique personalities develop as they age.
A new study suggests that alcohol's ability to increase people's pain threshold is linked to more aggressive behavior. Participants who drank alcohol were willing to inflict more pain on others, while those who consumed a placebo drink showed less aggression.
A team of scientists has pinpointed a critical neural circuit for female sexual rejection, revealing how the brain integrates signals to shape behavior. The ventromedial hypothalamus, specifically progesterone-sensitive neurons in the anterior VMH, play a crucial role in determining whether a female accepts or rejects mating attempts.
A study published in PNAS found that prolonged mental fatigue can lead to a decrease in self-control, causing individuals to behave more aggressively. The researchers discovered that areas of the frontal cortex dedicated to executive functions showed sleep-like activity when subjects were subjected to demanding mental tasks.
The University of Missouri's College of Education and Human Development is giving free online training and coaching to 110 middle school teachers in rural Missouri. The goal is to create a safe learning environment, with the potential to reduce stressors for teachers and improve student engagement.
A US cohort study found that prenatal cannabis exposure was associated with differences in executive function and aggressive behavior in children at age 5. The study's results may inform clinical recommendations on cannabis use during pregnancy.
Researchers found that male mice deescalate aggressive encounters by running over to a female mouse to distract the aggressive male mouse. This 'bait-and-switch' tactic reduces further conflict and helps maintain social hierarchy in groups of mice.
A WSU-led study found that older adults tend to experience more discomfort in high heat, but it doesn't affect their mood as much as younger adults. Emotional responses to heat are highly individualized and moderated by age.
The study found that adherence to cultural myths about rape was the strongest predictor of assaultive behavior, even controlling for other factors. Men's personalities, such as rigid adherence to traditional gender roles and low empathy, were also linked to an increased risk of committing sexual assault.
A new study by Bar-Ilan University researchers found a significant link between the gut microbiome and aggression in mice, with reduced diversity in gut bacteria causing increased aggression. The study also identified key brain regions and biochemical mechanisms underlying these behavioral changes.
A hurricane transformed a monkey society by changing the pros and cons of interacting with others. Macaques that displayed more social tolerance were 42% less likely to die than those that were less tolerant after Hurricane Maria. This shift in social behavior enabled them to access scarce shade, critical for survival.
A new study suggests that ambivalence about a political issue can lead people with polarized views to compensate for their discomfort by supporting extreme actions. Researchers found that those with strong but conflicted views were more likely to support extreme actions, such as getting opponents fired from their jobs, than others.
A new meta-analysis of 29 randomized controlled trials found that omega-3 supplementation can modestly reduce aggression across age and gender. The study suggests that omega-3 could be a useful adjunct to other interventions for reducing aggression.
Researchers developed AI software to analyze animal behavior, enabling precise linking of brain circuits and neurons. The program reconciles differing results by providing transparent explanations for machine-learning predictions, facilitating cross-lab comparisons and reproducibility in behavioral research.
A new study found that sibling criminal legal system contact disrupts home life for siblings and families, leading to increased behavioral issues in children, financial and material hardship for parents, and lower levels of social support. The study suggests that mass criminalization imperils families and children.
Researchers found that male bonobos were more frequently aggressive than chimpanzees, engaging in 2.8 times more interactions and 3 times as many physical aggressions. More aggressive males had greater mating success, challenging the self-domesticating hypothesis.
A study investigates the social dynamics of cohabiting family dogs using a new tool, the Dog Rank Assessment Questionnaire (DRA-Q). The results show that DRA-Q can assess rank relationships between family dogs in a meaningful way, making it useful for investigating social dynamics and measuring hierarchy firmness.
A study by Osaka University researchers found that Japanese liberals are more sensitive to collective ownership threats than conservatives. The study suggests that this sensitivity may deter countries from engaging in activities that infringe on the territorial integrity of others.