• The purpose of this chapter is to demonstrate how the general aggression model (GAM) helps to answer perplexing questions regarding the causes and conditions of aggression and violence. The GAM is a dynamic, social–cognitive, developmental model that provides an integrative framework for domain-specific aggression theories. It includes situational, personological, and biological variables. The GAM draws heavily on social–cognitive and social learning theories that have been developed over the past 40 years by social, personality, cognitive, and developmental psychologists. The chapter is organized into seven sections. First, we offer definitions of antisocial, aggressive, and violent behavior. Second, we provide a brief description of the GAM. Third, we discuss the dynamic process by which personological and situational factors establish and sustain aggression: the violence escalation cycle. Fourth, we use the GAM to understand how seemingly ordinary citizens become terrorists, suicide bombers, torturers, and other doers of aggression and violence. Fifth, we discuss the implications of the GAM for aggression between groups of people. Sixth, we apply the GAM to show how certain government actions designed to promote peace can increase aggression and violent behavior. Seventh, we discuss useful suggestions based on the GAM regarding ways to reduce aggression and violence. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
• The purpose of this chapter is to demonstrate how the general aggression model (GAM) helps to answer perplexing questions regarding the causes and conditions of aggression and violence. The GAM is a dynamic, social–cognitive, developmental model that provides an integrative framework for domain-specific aggression theories. It includes situational, personological, and biological variables. The GAM draws heavily on social–cognitive and social learning theories that have been developed over the past 40 years by social, personality, cognitive, and developmental psychologists. The chapter is organized into seven sections. First, we offer definitions of antisocial, aggressive, and violent behavior. Second, we provide a brief description of the GAM. Third, we discuss the dynamic process by which personological and situational factors establish and sustain aggression: the violence escalation cycle. Fourth, we use the GAM to understand how seemingly ordinary citizens become terrorists, suicide bombers, torturers, and other doers of aggression and violence. Fifth, we discuss the implications of the GAM for aggression between groups of people. Sixth, we apply the GAM to show how certain government actions designed to promote peace can increase aggression and violent behavior. Seventh, we discuss useful suggestions based on the GAM regarding ways to reduce aggression and violence. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)