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aggression
Sign in to saveAlso known as aggressive behavior
upright|thumb|Depiction of French President Armand Fallieres's assault by a waiter named Jean Mattis thumb|upright|Many mammals, such as the tiger, bare their teeth as a sign of aggression—a form of [[aposematism. ]]
Aggression is hostile or violent behavior directed by one individual toward another, ranging from physical attacks to threatening displays like baring teeth. It matters because understanding aggression helps explain behavior across species and in human society, from animal warning signals to interpersonal conflicts.
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Research
326,292 papers- Impulsive aggression in borderline personality disorder.ReviewCurrent psychiatry reports · 2000Goodman M, New ADOI: 10.1007/s11920-000-0043-1
- Aggressive behavior: A language to be understood.ReviewL'Encephale · 2022Tordjman SDOI: 10.1016/j.encep.2022.08.007
- Lithium in the treatment of aggression.ReviewThe Journal of nervous and mental disease · 1975Sheard MHDOI: 10.1097/00005053-197502000-00005
- A cognitive neuroscience approach to understanding aggression and its treatment.ReviewNeuroscience and biobehavioral reviews · 2025Blair RJ, Habel U, Votinov M et al.DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2025.106386
- Automatic processes in aggression: Conceptual and assessment issues.Aggressive behavior · 2015Bluemke M, Teige-Mocigemba SDOI: 10.1002/ab.21576
- Editorial: The Neural Systems of Fairness, Retaliation, and Aggression.Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry · 2023Stoddard JDOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2023.03.004
- Aggression in psychiatry wards: a systematic review.Psychiatry research · 2011Cornaggia CM, Beghi M, Pavone F et al.DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2010.12.024
- Alcohol, drugs and human physical aggression.ReviewJournal of studies on alcohol. Supplement · 1993Taylor SP, Chermack STDOI: 10.15288/jsas.1993.s11.78
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Wikidata facts
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- Commons category
- Aggression
- exact match
- purl.obolibrary.org/obo/HP_0000718
- NCI Thesaurus ID
- C117262
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~66 min read
Article
35 sectionsContents
- Overview
- Etymology
- Ethology
- Between species and groups
- Within a group
- Aggression, fear and curiosity
- Evolutionary explanations
- Violence and conflict
- Gender
- General
- In intimate relationships
- Physiological factors
- Physiology
- Brain pathways
- Testosterone
- Challenge hypothesis
- Effects on the nervous system
- General associations with behavior
- Dehydroepiandrosterone
- Glucocorticoids
- Pheromones
- Genetics
- Society and culture
- Culture
- Media
- Children
- Typical expectations
- Aggression triggers
- Gender
- Situational factors
- As a positive adaptation theory<!--linked from 'Non-aggression principle'-->
- See also
- References
- Further reading
- External links
upright|thumb|Depiction of French President Armand Fallieres's assault by a waiter named Jean Mattis thumb|upright|Many mammals, such as the tiger, bare their teeth as a sign of aggression—a form of [[aposematism. ]]
Aggression is behavior aimed at opposing or attacking something or someone. Though often done with the intent to cause harm, some might channel it into creative and practical outlets. It may occur either reactively or without provocation. In humans, aggression can be caused by various triggers. For example, aggression may result from built-up frustration due to blocked goals or perceived disrespect. Human aggression can be classified into direct and indirect aggression; while the former is characterized by physical or verbal behavior intended to cause harm to someone, the latter is characterized by behavior intended to harm the social relations of an individual or group.