A unique synthesis of breakthrough research, this landmark book shatters myths about the causes of aggression, maintaining that the roots of violent behavior lie in the way the brain works.

Provocative and timely: a pioneering neurocriminologist introduces the latest biological research into the causes of--and potential cures for--criminal behavior. With an 8-page full-color insert, and black-and-white illustrations throughout.

Unchecked aggression and violence take a significant toll on society. With recent advances in pharmacology and genetic manipulation techniques, new interest has developed in the biological mechanisms of aggression. The primary goal of this title is to summarise and synthesis recent advances in the subject.

This book bridges the gap between basic science, which deals with general concepts of aggression and its neurobiological foundations, and law enforcement as one of the applied fields of aggression research. It addresses the current state of research and practice and compares and integrates the concept of aggression with violent crime. Chapters examine the types of criminal careers that cross the boundary between the two and summarize the biological, psychological, and social factors that underlie particular types of criminal careers. Subsequent chapters discuss overlaps between biological and psychological factors and detail how and to what extent aggression may serve as explanatory mechanisms for violence. The book also discusses the relationship between social problems and neuropsychological deficits, addressing how the neuropsychological deficits lead to the intergenerational recycling of social problems. Finally, the volume explores violence and aggression from a neurobiological perspective. Topics featured in this book include: The heritability of aggressiveness and violence-proneness. Glucocorticoids in humans. Aggression circuitry in animals. Distorted circuitry in violent animals. Biological factors of psychological change. Neurobiopsychosocial Perspectives on Aggression and Violence is a must-have resource for researchers, clinicians and other professionals, and graduate students in forensic psychology, criminology/criminal justice, public health, developmental psychology, psychotherapy/counseling, psychiatry, social work, educational policy and politics, health psychology, nursing, and behavioral therapy/rehabilitation.

A practical guide to the origins and treatment options for agitation, a common symptom of psychiatric and neurologic disorders.

The author examines criminal behaviour from birth to adulthood in a sample of nearly 1,000 subjects in order to determine the biological and sociological influences on violence. Over 100 predictors of violent behaviour found to be significant in past biological and sociological studies of crime are analysed. The results indicate that both biological and environmental factors produce strong, and independent, effects on both delinquency and adult crime and violence among both males and females. Powerful influences on violence include behavioural disorder during youth, low school achievement, hyperactivity, lead poisoning, and low levels of parental education. The results do not confirm the findings of previous studies that indicate direct relationships between delinquency and early intelligence, mental retardation, socioeconomic status, or early central nervous system dysfunction. The author concludes that many of the factors contributing to criminal and violent behaviour can be prevented because they have clear environmental origins that can be eliminated.

New York Times bestseller • Winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize • One of the Washington Post's 10 Best Books of the Year “It’s no exaggeration to say that Behave is one of the best nonfiction books I’ve ever read.” —David P. Barash, The Wall Street Journal "It has my vote for science book of the year.” —Parul Sehgal, The New York Times "Immensely readable, often hilarious...Hands-down one of the best books I’ve read in years. I loved it." —Dina Temple-Raston, The Washington Post From the bestselling author of A Primate's Memoir and the forthcoming Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will comes a landmark, genre-defining examination of human behavior and an answer to the question: Why do we do the things we do? Behave is one of the most dazzling tours d’horizon of the science of human behavior ever attempted. Moving across a range of disciplines, Sapolsky—a neuroscientist and primatologist—uncovers the hidden story of our actions. Undertaking some of our thorniest questions relating to tribalism and xenophobia, hierarchy and competition, and war and peace, Behave is a towering achievement—a majestic synthesis of cutting-edge research and a heroic exploration of why we ultimately do the things we do . . . for good and for ill.

"Offering the first comprehensive analysis of this topic in over 30 years, this book is sure to fuel discussion and debate among researchers, practitioners, and students in developmental psychology, child clinical psychology, child and adolescent psychiatry, criminology, and related disciplines. In the classroom, it is a unique and valuable text for graduate-level courses."--BOOK JACKET.

While numerous books address specific issues of violence and aggression, there is a clear and pressing need for a comprehensive resource that explores everything from the root causes of violence and aggression to the appropriate interventions for both individuals and society at large. The Wiley Handbook of Violence and Aggression is a landmark three-volume resource that explores the broad scope of violence and aggression with contributions from an international panel of experts in the field. Filled with the most recent research and developments, this important text contains information on the biology of aggression and violence, developmental pathways, theoretical advances, the assessment, prevention and treatment of individuals, clinical treatments that target special populations, and a wide-range of societal interventions. Written to meet the information needs of clinicians, researchers, and students, The Wiley Handbook of Violence and Aggression integrates all available knowledge in an authoritative and contemporary reference and resource that addresses the myriad aspects of violence and aggression.