Aggression is something that you see every day from turning on the television to watch the daily news

to playing one of your favorite video games. This is something that is a part of human nature and will always be a part of our social life. There are many influences in our society and within us that can make aggression arise more frequently. These are genetic influences, neural influences, and biochemical influences.. In this paper, neural and chemical influences on aggression have been discussed. Aggression is a complex social behaviour that evolved in the context of defending or obtaining resources. Although some features of aggression are species specific, there are broad similarities across species. Neurobiological experiments show that many of the same neuro - chemical and anatomical systems are activated during aggressive behaviour in humans and non-human animals, even though the specific behavioural outputs can differ greatly. This Review takes a bottom-up approach to assess how genes and the environment contribute to the functioning of neural mechanisms of aggression. We discuss new data on molecules that are associated with aggression and that have been revealed by pharmacological and gene-targeting techniques, primarily in rodents. We will also examine the neuroanatomical organization of aggression in several contexts. This Review will show that the complex nature of aggressive behaviour necessitates a comprehensive approach that considers both genetic and environmental factors. Traditionally, aggression has been defined as overt behaviour that has the intention of inflicting physical damage on another individual, and the potential for aggressive behaviour exists whenever the interests of two or more individuals conflict. Although aggression can yield competitive advantages, it is time-consuming and can be dangerous (Berkowitz, 1993). When it is exaggerated, persistent or expressed out of context, it can be considered pathological. Psychiatrists and other care providers are particularly vulnerable to the serious consequences of violent outbursts in their patients, and an overarching goal. of research into aggression is to develop interventions that can reduce maladaptive or pathological aggressive behaviour. In many cases, these interventions must be specifically tailored because of the patients vulnerability, especially in the case of aggressive children or geriatric patients. To understand the mechanisms that underlie aggression, we need more precision in reporting the antecedents and consequences of different types of aggression3. From an ethological perspective, aggression is used for obtaining or defending food or mates from competitors;
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from a psychiatric perspective, it is thought to be motivated by hypothetical constructs such as anger, irritation, frustration, fear and, in some cases, pleasure. Two subtypes of aggression have been identified in humans: the controlledinstrumental subtype and the reactiveimpulsive subtype. Reactive aggression is considered to be more impulsive (it is usually associated with anger), whereas instrumental aggression is considered to be more purposeful and goal-oriented. The instigation of a fist fight with a stranger who accidentally bumped into you on the street would be an example of reactive aggression. This subtype of aggression can result in sudden, heightened, enduring or inappropriate aggressive responses, and probably accounts for most societal problems that are associated with aggression. However, higher profile incidents (mass killings, genocides or assassinations) may be rooted in more instrumental mechanisms of aggression. The controlledinstrumental subtype of aggression is thought to be regulated by higher cortical systems and less dependent on the hypothalamic and limbic systems that are known to mediate impulsive aggression. Attacking your neighbours to intimidate them into not talking to the police would be an example of instrumental aggression. Some influences on aggression are believed to have been passed down from generations (Myers,2000:749). This is believed to make an effect on future generations, therefore, inheriting certain traits, one of which could be having a bad temper. For example, when we look at animals to refer to this concept many think of canines that have been specifically bred to be aggressive. Is it possible that over many years of training an animal to act this way that this trait will continue on for generations to come? Neural influences suggest that brains have systems that when they are triggered, can produce aggressive behavior. There is not a specific area in the brain that controls aggression (Myers, 750). There is a neural system that when provoked, it will create aggression. It is believed if this system, located at the frontal lobe, is damaged it could make aggression more likely. Recently, a study has been determining that aggression can weaken the brains impulse control circuits (Asher). The enzyme monoamine oxidase-A, or MAO-A, which is responsible for breaking down mood-regulating chemical messengers, is one of the chemicals that could be responsible. The study contained of ninety-seven subjects and the area that was responsible for impulses and motivations was affected by fourteen percent.

It is believed that some substances in the blood could possibly trigger aggression. Substances like hormones, alcohol, and testosterone are said to be some of the major causes. Psychopathic behaviour seems to be linked to an imbalance in brain chemicals, according to a new study. According to Miczek, (2002:56) Swedish researchers discovered that men with psychopathic tendencies also had high levels of a brain chemical responsible for aggression. The men also had low levels of another chemical which normally helps regulate the aggression chemical, causing the imbalance. The psychopathic personality is characterised by inconsistent impulsive behaviour and a tendency to dominate others using violence and aggression. The new findings are based on studies of 28 men who had all committed violent crimes including murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault, arson, rape and sexual assault of children. Researchers tested the men for levels of a substance called 5-HIAA, which is produced during the breakdown of the chemical serotonin. They also tested for another substance called HVA which is produced during the metabolism of dopamine. Dopamine influences aggressive impulses and serotonin regulates dopamine. The study found that psychopathic traits were significantly linked with higher levels of HVA and lower levels of 5-HIAA. Based on their findings, the researchers said drugs that affect dopamine and serotonin levels might therefore be of interest to those treating aggressive psychopaths. In conclusion, unchecked aggression and violence exact a significant toll on human societies. Aggression is an umbrella term for behaviours that are intended to inflict harm. These behaviours evolved as adaptations to deal with competition, but when expressed out of context, they can have destructive consequences. Uncontrolled aggression has several components, such as impaired recognition of social cues and enhanced impulsivity. Molecular approaches to the study of aggression have revealed biological signals that mediate the components of aggressive behaviour. These signals may provide targets for therapeutic intervention for individuals with extreme aggressive outbursts. This Review summarizes the complex interactions between genes, biological signals, neural circuits and the environment that influence the development and expression of aggressive behaviour.

References
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Berkowitz, L. (1993) Aggression: Its Causes, Consequences, and Control (Temple Univ. Press, New York, 1993). Blair, R. J. R., Peschardt, K. (2006) In Biology of Aggression (ed. Nelson, R. J.) 351368 (Oxford Univ. Press, New York, 2006). Moyer, K. E.(1971) The Physiology of Hostility,Markham, Chicago, Miczek, K. A., Fish (2002) Social and neural determinants of aggressive behavior : London, McGraw Hill