Understanding Violence, Second Edition

What impels human beings to harm others--family members or strangers? And how can these impulses and actions be prevented or controlled? Heightened public awareness of and concern about what is widely perceived as a recent explosion of violence, on a spectrum from domestic abuse to street crime to terrorism has motivated behavioral and social scientists to cast new light on old questions. Many hypotheses have been offered. In this book Elizabeth Kandel Englander sorts, structures, and evaluates them. She draws on contemporary research and theory in varied fields--clinical and social psychology, sociology, criminology, psychiatry, social work, neuropsychology, behavioral genetics, and education--to present a uniquely balanced, integrated, and readable summary of what we currently know about the causes and effects of violence. Throughout, she emphasizes the necessity of distinguishing among different types of violent behavior and of realizing that nature and nurture interact in human development. There are no simple answers and many well-accepted "facts" must be challenged. This thoroughly revised and expanded second edition of Understanding Violence will be welcomed by all those concerned with violent offenders and their victims, and by their students and trainees. New chapters discuss: *biological and psychological factors in violence; *developmental and social learning factors in violence; and *youth violence, including gang conflicts and school shootings. New coverage includes recent research on: *children's use of violent video games and their relationship to violent or aggressive behavior--alcohol use and violence, and the role of alcohol and drugs in violent crime; *the types and causes of sexual assault; *spousal homicide, child abuse, and physical punishment; and *social and cultural factors in violence. Updated statistics on frequencies and types of violent crimes are also incorporated. In This Book, Elizabeth Kandel Englander Sorts, Structures, And Evaluates Violence Hypotheses. She Draws On Contemporary Research And Theory In Varied Fields - Clinical And Social Psychology, Sociology, Criminology, Psychiatry, Social Work, Neuropsychology, Behavioral Genetics, And Education - To Present A Uniquely Balanced, Integrated, And Readable Summary Of What We Currently Know About The Causes And Effects Of Violence. Throughout, She Emphasizes The Necessity Of Distinguishing Among Different Types Of Violent Behavior And Of Realizing That Nature And Nurture Interact In Human Development. There Are No Simple Answers, And Many Well-accepted Facts Must Be Challenged. This Thoroughly Revised And Expanded Second Edition Of Understanding Violence Will Be Welcomed By All Those Concerned With Violent Offenders And Their Victims, And By Their Students And Trainees.--jacket. Introduction: The Problem Of Violence -- The Numbers: How Common Is Violent Behavior Today? -- Social Causes Of Violence -- Biological And Psychological Bases Of Violent Behavior -- Developmental Factors And Social Learning -- Media Exposure And Violence -- The Biosocial Model -- Substance Abuse And Violent Behavior -- Youth Violence -- Sexual Assault -- Spouse Homicide -- Child Abuse And Physical Punishment -- Victims: The Consequences Of Family Violence -- Epilogue: Preventing And Controlling Violence. Elizabeth Kandel Englander. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 177-205) And Indexes. Understanding Violence......Page 4 Contents......Page 8 Preface......Page 10 1. Introduction: The Problem of Violence......Page 12 Part I. General Issues......Page 22 2. The Numbers: How Common Is Violent Behavior Today?......Page 24 3. Social Causes of Violence......Page 47 4. Biological and Psychological Bases of Violent Behavior......Page 65 5. Developmental Factors and Social Learning......Page 96 6. Media Exposure and Violence......Page 110 7. The Biosocial Model......Page 116 Part II. Special Issues......Page 126 8. Substance Abuse and Violent Behavior......Page 128 9. Youth Violence......Page 134 10. Sexual Assault......Page 143 11. Spouse Homicide......Page 150 12. Child Abuse and Physical Punishment......Page 158 13. Victims: The Consequences of Family Violence......Page 173 14. Epilogue: Preventing and Controlling Violenc......Page 184 References......Page 188 Author Index......Page 218 Subject Index......Page 230 "In this book, Elizabeth Kandel Englander sorts, structures, and evaluates violence hypotheses. She draws on contemporary research and theory in varied fields - clinical and social psychology, sociology, criminology, psychiatry, social work, neuropsychology, behavioral genetics, and education - to present a uniquely balanced, integrated, and readable summary of what we currently know about the causes and effects of violence. Throughout, she emphasizes the necessity of distinguishing among different types of violent behavior and of realizing that nature and nurture interact in human development. There are no simple answers, and many well-accepted "facts" must be challenged." "This thoroughly revised and expanded second edition of Understanding Violence will be welcomed by all those concerned with violent offenders and their victims, and by their students and trainees."--BOOK JACKET. The central theme of the book is that violence is a self-destructive behavior that may be justified at the individual level, but makes no sense from the standpoint of society in general. Violence is aggressive behavior with the intent to cause harm physically or psychologically. Although animals engage in instrumental aggression, only humans engage in hostile aggression No longer rare in the experience of most Americans, violence hits us where we live-literally.