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This trend is indeed a frightening one which has to be curbed with urgency. But that is easier said than done because the human mind is the most complex creation in the world and therefore it is most difficult to analyse and predict.
Throughout history, aggression has been the cause of much sorrow for humanity, often resulting in institutionalisation and social ostracisation for the aggressor; and trauma or even (in extreme situations) fatal injuries for the victim. The Oxford English Dictionary defines aggression as ‘feelings of anger or antipathy resulting in hostile or violent behaviour; readiness to attack or confront’. The prevention of aggressive behaviour has been the subject of extensive research – but to prevent aggressive behaviour, we must first understand the cause. Some theories put forward to suggest the cause of aggressive behaviour focus on biological causes, which include genetics, hormonal mechanisms and neural mechanisms. Other theories suggest that aggression is, in fact, caused by social and environmental factors, such as deindividuation and social learning theory.
Social learning theory (SLT) is commonly proposed by behaviourists to explain aggression. SLT suggests that all behaviour, including aggression, is learned either by direct or vicarious experience. A person can learn through direct experience, according to SLT, if their behaviour is reinforced, for example, if violent behaviour leads to positive outcomes (or ‘rewards’) for the aggressor, they may be encouraged to do it again. Moreover, aggressive behaviour can be learned vicariously through observation, for example, a child seeing and then imitating violence.
One of the chief contributors to increased violence and aggression has been the exposure of children to daily doses of violence on television. In studying the effect of television violence on a child’s life, psychologists argue that television violence will affect the child’s behaviour negatively. Taylor (2007) argues that when children are exposed to violence, they are likely to become less sensitive to the pain and suffering of others. In this respect many children will end up being hurt by others as the rest of the children watch, this is because they are used to such kind of violence and to them it’s a normal act.
Another chief contributor is the widespread use of illegal drugs, as those who are trapped in their usage have a tendency to be more violent and aggressive. In fact, in many instances where brutal acts have been committed the perpetrators have been found to be under the influence of drugs.
However, we need to carry out studies to determine the underlying cause(s) for the increased violence in our society before we could come up with comprehensive solutions which are needed and not piecemeal approaches.
Nevertheless, even without studies there are some steps which could be taken to help curb violent and aggressive behaviour and these include strengthening the family unit, improve parenting skills, inculcating the right attitudes and values in our children at all levels of the society; increasing community oversight; curbing the use of drugs and intensifying anti-violence campaigns through educational and public awareness programmes.
With regards to the latter, we need to highlight and educate people on the philosophies of the apostles of non-violence like Mahatma Gandhi, and Martin Luther King (Jr) among others.
Violence never solves any problem if anything it creates more suffering and greater problems. On this note it might be useful for us to be reminded of the sagacious words of two of the greatest souls who have walked the face of the earth.
“I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary the evil it does is permanent”-Mahatma Gandhi
“I believe that Gandhi’s views were the most enlightened of all the political men in our time. We should strive to do things in his spirit: not to use violence in fighting for our cause, but by non-participation in anything you believe is evil”-Albert Einstein.
