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violence

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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.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·September 16, 2019·5 min read

Violent video games blamed more often for school shootings by white perpetrators

Video games are often blamed as a cause of mass shootings, especially if the perpetrator is white. When it comes to perpetrators of other racial backgrounds, people are more likely to assume they are involved in violent criminal activities. Blaming gaming for school shootings perpetrated by white people, and thereby providing an unfounded excuse for their actions, is a sign of a larger racial issue. Similar excuses aren't extended to people of other racial backgrounds. Instead, they are viewed as more culpable for their crimes.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·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.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 11, 2018·3 min read

What Makes Aggressive Mice So Violent?

Targeting a protein associated with addiction could help reduce aggression levels, researchers report.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 30, 2021·6 min read

Young People Who Experience Bullying Are More Likely to Fantasize About Committing Acts of Violence

Experiencing bullying and aggression as a teen or young adult increases violent ideations, including thoughts of harming or killing others, a new study reports.