Is there a genetic predisposition to violence?

Question

and could it be found more in certain races or even certain cultures or nationalities?

Answer 1

Hi,

To answer your question, yes, I do believe that it is correct. There are two reasons for this which I will go through in detail.

If you look at our closest relative, the chimpanzee, as Jane Goodall did, you will find lots of examples of warfare, cannabilism and genocide between different chimpanzee groups. This seems to suggest to me that our common ancestor was predisposed towards violence. We carry that in our genes from that ancestor, I believe. However, tihs view is untested, so don't take it as gospel.

Secondly, in the archaeological record for our species, there are plenty of examples from the Mesolithic of human violence against each other. This trend, has of course continued throughout human history. Therefore, I believe that violence is innate to humanity.

There is another point that I would like to make. As a species, we hunt. Hunting itself is a violent activity, so therefore, I believe this is another reason for our violent disposition.

I'll give you some sources if you want to look up some more on the subject.

Good Luck,

Demociticus

Answer 2

This sounds like a college assignment - am I right?

Anyway, I think you just have to look at little children to see that that is the most inate way of solving their problems. They get into a group, things don't go their way and Kapow! they hit the kid that bugged them.

However, whether we follow through with that behaviour, I think is a learned behaviour. Some societies are more violent so the children grow up following those norms, and thinking that is absolutely normal.

You can't get rid of the genetic factor though. Some races are just better physically than others - just look at the Olympic games, so you can't discount that that would be a factor in violence too.

Answer 3

There is a genetic predisposition to every thing, even learning. It is " nature via nurture " and the sooner that is understood by social scientists, the sooner they will have scientific respect.

Answer 4

I don't agree with those who say there is a genetic pre-disposition to violence, I think it is a learned behaviour when reasoning,begging and pleading have failed,try violence, its just like the mouse they conditioned to choose a small dose of cocaine over food or water,It's a real study-look it up.

Answer 5

I don't believe there is a genetic predisposition to violence. In my opinion it is learned behavior. Races, cultures and nationalities are pretty equal in this, if they are exposed to violence they themselves will become violent. My own theories.

Answer 6

True. I think you also refer to criminal tendencies and whether a person can be born with a criminal gene. If the person has a nurturing environment, however, and resorting to violence is not called for then his violent tendencies will not come out.

Answer 7

I don't know about races or nationalitites, but several studies have shown that due to higher levels of testosterone, males are generally more violent than women.

Answer 8

I think there is, yes........ and I think it has been studied....... it is my opinion, however, that my daughter got her violent tendancies from her biological father who was not in her life from her age of two. He then died tragically when she was 5 so she has had no contact with him whatsoever...... but yet she has violent tendancies that are not prevalent in my family history. I would like to see the statistics from the research on this topic......... Good question!!!

Answer 9

Yes there is. That is not to say it cannot be overcome but there are those that have different personalities... some quiet, some talkative, some passive, some violent.