After reading this chapter you should understand:

• Biological and social theories of aggression
• Factors that affect individuals’ propensity to aggression, including gender differences, personality and alcohol
• Situational factors influencing aggression, including the physical environment, social disadvantage and cultural influences
• Disinhibition as a process whereby people break social norms against aggression
• Various ways aggression manifests itself in society, such as domestic violence, sexual harassment and aggression, and terrorism