Biological and Environmental Correlates of Aggressive Behavior

Abstract

Aggressive behavior is influenced by the interplay of multiple genes that operate on brain biochemical pathways, neurotransmitters, and hormones, producing a certain psychological predisposition that, in contact with environmental risks within or outside the family, is conducive to antisocial aggressive behavior. This brief review of the scientific research shows that such behavior is the result of these predisposing, but not causal, factors. The importance of the individual's unique decisional capacity in such behavior is a question that requires further research.

KEYWORDS:

• aggression
• neuroimaging
• MAOA gene
• neurotransmitters
• amygdala