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violence

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·September 8, 2025·2 min read

Aggression Is Contagious: Observing Violence Primes the Brain for Aggression

A new study shows that observing violence can make individuals more likely to act aggressively later, but the effect depends on familiarity. Male mice who watched familiar peers attack others became more violent afterward, driven by amygdala neurons that “prime” aggression.

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·August 1, 2025·4 min read

Murder-Suicide Rates in U.S. Higher Than Previously Estimated

New research reveals that murder-suicide incidents in the U.S. are more frequent than previously documented, with an average of 820 related deaths per year. Most incidents involve current or former intimate partners, and nearly all suicides were carried out with firearms.

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·July 23, 2025·6 min read

What Drives Women to Kill? Emotion & Threat, Not Psychopathy

Women who commit lethal violence rarely display psychopathy, instead acting out of provocation and perceived threats. A 15-year Swedish study of 175 cases found that about half of the women had a severe mental disorder, and these women showed slightly more short-term planning but still high emotional arousal.

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·January 20, 2025·6 min read

Early Exposure to Violent Media Linked to Teen Antisocial Behavior

A study of nearly 2,000 children found that boys exposed to violent television content at ages 3.5 to 4.5 were more likely to exhibit antisocial behaviors as teens. These behaviors included physical aggression, theft, threats, and involvement in gang fights, with no similar effects observed in girls.

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·January 8, 2025·5 min read

Over Half of College Students Affected by Others’ Drinking

Over half of U.S. college students experience harm caused by others' drinking, highlighting the widespread impact of alcohol misuse on campuses. These harms range from babysitting intoxicated peers to experiencing verbal abuse, emotional distress, or even physical assaults.

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·December 16, 2024·4 min read

Human Remains Reveal Violence and Cannibalism in Bronze Age Britain

Archaeologists studying the Charterhouse Warren site in England found evidence of a massacre, where at least 37 individuals were butchered, likely partly consumed, and dehumanized by their enemies. Analysis of over 3,000 bone fragments revealed blunt force trauma and cut marks, indicating intentional violence rather than ritualistic funerary practices.

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·December 2, 2024·5 min read

Violence Exposure and Firearms Linked to Teen Suicide Risks

A study of U.S. high school students reveals a strong link between suicidal behavior, externalizing behaviors (such as physical violence), and exposure to violence. Adolescents with a history of weapon carrying or engaging in violent acts were found to have a higher risk of injurious suicide attempts, particularly when firearms are accessible.

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·July 16, 2024·5 min read

Reflective Thinking Boosts Teen Brain Resilience to Violence

Teens who engage in "transcendent thinking" can counteract the negative effects of violence exposure on brain development. This type of thinking involves considering broader ethical and societal implications of social issues.

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·February 5, 2024·5 min read

Violence Spreads Like Contagion in Certain Groups

A recent study highlights how violence among members of the Italian mafia spreads contagiously, with those committing violent acts in groups more likely to continue such behavior in the future. Analyzing the criminal careers of 9,819 individuals convicted of organized crime, researchers found that prior violent co-offending significantly increases the likelihood of future violent acts, more so than solo offenses.

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·February 11, 2023·3 min read

Treatment Recommendations for People Who Act Out Their Dreams While Asleep

REM sleep behavior disorder, or parasomnia, affects more than 80 million people worldwide. The disorder causes sufferers to experience nightmare-like violent dreams. Sufferers act on their dreams while sleeping, often resulting in violent or dangerous sleep behaviors and injuries. Researchers propose new guidelines, including medical and pharmacological recommendations, to help curb symptoms of parasomnia and promote healthier sleep.

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·January 31, 2023·5 min read

Beta-Blocker Use Associated With Lower Rates of Violence

Beta-blockers, a class of drugs commonly used to treat hypertension and cardiovascular disorders, appear to reduce aggressive and violent behaviors, and can reduce suicidal behaviors.